Skyland Resort

The main hub of the central park district, sitting at the highest point on Skyline Drive at around 1,120 m. Founded in the 1890s as a mountain retreat long before the national park existed, it now operates as a lodge with rustic cabins, motel-style rooms, a full-service dining room and taproom, and a large gift shop.

For day visitors it functions as the natural base for the Skyland area: the trailheads for Stony Man and Millers Head both start here, the dining room has valley-facing windows, and the parking areas are the largest in this part of the park. Don't come expecting luxury — the rooms are dated and the wildlife is enterprising — but the location is unbeatable.

Practical

Open roughly late March through November. The dining room takes reservations and gets busy at peak season; the taproom is walk-in.