
Even if the weather is sunny and clear, though, front and rear reflectors are still required. The NPS urges cyclists to "use extreme caution" along the roadway due to its “many steep hills and numerous blind curves.” Both front and rear lights are only required when riding in fog, tunnels, or between sunset and sunrise. As of early 2020, this is the fastest and most dependable way to check for closures and other advisories on the road.Ĭycling is permitted along all 105 miles of Skyline Drive, but never along trails, dirt roads, or grassy areas. For the most up to date winter conditions, call 54, choose option 1, then option 1 again. However, even when the gates are closed, cyclists and pedestrians are still able to enjoy the road. Weather can change quickly in the mountains, and sections of Skyline Drive may close due to ice, snow, fog, or even down trees. For a complete list of fees, including commercial use, discounts, and exceptions, click here. An annual pass is also available for $55, which “provides unlimited entry for one year to the pass owner and passengers in the same vehicle.” If you plan to drive into the parkway and ride on a regular basis, the latter would be the best option. Laws are “strictly enforced by park rangers,” they continue.įor bicycles or walk-in visitors, there is a $15 entrance fee that is effective for one week following the purchase date. “There are four entrance points to Skyline Drive located at US 340 near I-66 in Front Royal, US 211 in Thornton Gap, US 33 in Swift Run Gap and US 250 near I-64 in Rockfish Gap,” according to Wikipedia, and the speed limit never exceeds 35 miles per hour. The road is divided into three districts: North, Central, and South. Backcountry camping is abundant for hikers, but bicycles are never allowed to leave the paved roadways within the park. Lodging opportunities, both indoor and outdoor, are typically less than 20 miles apart from each other. To turn the entire roadway into a multi-day trip, check out this list of campgrounds and cabins - all typically open late-March or early-April, and closed again in early to mid-November. It has also been mapped north to south, which leads into the northern entrance of the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway. The better option, however, would be to divide the ride into two or three sections – as it’s mapped in this guidebook. For an experienced road cyclist, the entire 105-mile roadway could be ridden in one day.
