Find Your Park
Parks you’ll adore. With the National Park Service now more than a century old, exploring our wonderful system of local, regional, state and national parks from coast-to-coast is officially a national passion! Harrisonburg revels in having 10 local parks, an arboretum and botanical gardens to share with visitors, as well as being a short drive from the spectacular Skyline Drive, Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah National Park.
Known as an outdoor playground with good reason.
Come “park-take” in why Finding Your Park is Better in the ‘Burg!
Edith J. Carrier Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
Walk winding woodland trails landscaped with native plants and botanical gardens. The EJC Arboretum offers cultural events on site and tours. Stroll through the gardens, attend an event or just spread a blanket on the lawn and relax.
Eastern Mennonite University Eden Arboretum and Park Woods
Located behind the Science Center, the Eden Arboretum is a one-acre greenland where ecology, biology education, and international agriculture. The second part of the arboretum is Park Woods, a 13-acre partially restored oak-hickory climax forest with mature stands of native trees and understory. Walk to Peace Park, Kansas Garden, and the Bridge honoring Emma Shetler Brubaker.
Harrisonburg City Parks
The Harrisonburg Parks and Recreation Department manages 10 parks, a playground, bike trails, soccer complex, softball and baseball fields, and two pools. The largest park in the City of Harrisonburg is Hillandale Park that encompasses 74 acres. More information about the parks can be found online at www.HarrisonburgVA.gov/parks‐recreation.
Use the links below to learn more about Harrisonburg’s parks:
Denton Park
Hillandale Park
Kiwanis Park
Liberty Park
Morrison Park
Purcell Park
Ralph Sampson Park
Riven Rock Park
Rocktown Trails
Smithland Road Soccer Complex
Westover Skate Park
Westover Swimming Pool Complex
George Washington National Forest
North River Ranger District
401 Oakwood Dr. Harrisonburg, VA 22801 | Toll Free 866-904-0240 or Local 540-432-0187
The Deerfield Portion of the North River Ranger District is located in the scenic ridge and valley province of northwestern Virginia’s Allegheny Mountains. There are 161,000 acres in this portion. The Dry River Portion of this District includes portions of Virginia and West Virginia as it straddles the scenic Shenandoah Mountain. This portion covers nearly 230,000 acres of forest land. Most of the recreational opportunities in the North River Ranger District are of a dispersed nature: hiking, hunting, fishing, ATV riding, mountain biking, horseback riding, camping, fishing and picnicking.
Shenandoah National Park/Skyline Drive
3655 US HWY 211-HDQ Luray, VA 22835 | 540-999-3500
The Shenandoah National Park is a national treasure which includes the scenic 105-mile long Skyline Drive – a designated National Scenic Byway. The Park lies along the crest of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, less than 90 miles southwest of Washington, DC. The park stretches about 80 miles north to south and consists of more than 197,000 acres, including nearly 80,000 acres of designated wilderness. Skyline Drive, a world-famous park tour road, traversees the length of the park for 105 miles and provides opportunities for outstanding views of the Shenandoah Valley and the Piedmont from the numerous overlooks. The park boasts 500 miles of hiking trails, including 101 miles of the famous Appalachian Trail, as well as several historically significant landmarks.
Park Ranger programs are offered.
Harrisonburg- Swift Run Gap Milepost 65.5/U.S. 33-Elkton
Additional Shenandoah Park information, packages, area dining and more available at GoShenandoah.com.
For lodging reservations call 877-847-1919.