Hiking Little Stony Man Trail in Shenandoah National Park
Little Stony Man Trail? What an odd sounding name to call a hike! Turns out though, the Little Stony Man hike is one of the best and most popular hikes in Shenandoah National Park! With lofty views high atop this stunning park, and the added bonus of getting to witness those famous white blazes of the Appalachian Trail, the Little Stony Man Trail is a trek that every visitor to Shenandoah should put on their must see and do list!
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Hiking Little Stony Man
The Little Stony Man Trail is appealing to lots of ranges of hikers for many different reasons. It is located in an ideal location by park facilities, including the Skyland Resort, it is short in length and easy in difficulty for hikers of all skill levels, and it has one of the best scenic views as a payoff that you could ask for!
Location of the Little Stony Man Hike
The trailhead for the Little Stony Man hike is located in Shenandoah National Park, right off the historic Skyline Drive that runs through the heart of the park. It is adjacent to the popular Skyland Resort and Restaurant, a popular stop after hiking Little Stony Man.
Map of the area surrounding the Little Stony Man Trail
Quick Facts on the Little Stony Man Trail
- Length: 1.2 miles out and back roundtrip
- Rating: Easy – some gradual inclines, but they are not abrupt or overly steep, and it is a short hike overall. The summit has some steep drop offs and uneven, rocky terrain, so take extra care while on the top of Little Stony Man!
- Elevation Gain: 351 feet of gain
Little Stony Man Trail Elevation Chart
- Dog Friendly: No – while Shenandoah National Park is one of the few National Parks that allow pets on its trails, there are still a handful of trails where pets are prohibited, including Little Stony Man Trail. For the full park policy on pets, visit the link here.
- Estimated Time to Hike: 30 – 45 minutes
- Best Time to Hike: Spring, Summer, and Fall. Fall foliage in Shenandoah National Park is a true showstopper, and with the panoramic views from the top of the Little Stony Man Trail summit, you will be in for an unforgettable treat. Winter hiking is doable, but there is an increased chance of snow, ice, and extreme cold temperatures, so it is not the ideal time.
The Little Stony Man Trail starts off from the parking lot immediately adjacent to the Skyland Resort. The trailhead is right off of Skyline Drive. There is an informational sign located at the trailhead to indicate you are starting in the right spot! Note that there is a Stony Man Trail that is longer in length, but this is in fact the shorter Little Stony Man Trail that is only 1.2 miles roundtrip from this starting location!
The Little Stony Man hike starts off in heavy, shady forest, right on the Appalachian Trail! Getting to hike a part of the Appalachian Trail was definitely an added extra bonus for me personally when hiking Little Stony Man. Look for the iconic white blazes that denote the portion of the Little Stony Man Trail that shares the Appalachian Trail. The Appalachian Trail is denoted by white blazes, and Little Stony Man is denoted with blue blazes.
The Little Stony Man Trail climbs very gently and gradually as you proceed through the dappled forest. As you begin to near the summit, you will notice characteristics that give Little Stony Man Trail “stony-ness”. Groupings of rocky clusters begin to pop up, preparing hikers for the rocky plateaued summit they are about to reach!
The summit of Little Stony Man emerges abruptly from the tree cover on a rocky flat cliffside, with stunning panoramic views overlooking Shenandoah National Park. The summit has steep drop offs and is rocky and uneven, so take care in your footing, especially with children, and do not venture too close to the edge! The views are some that you are unlikely to forget any time soon, and arguably among some of the best views in all of Shenandoah!
Popular Add Ons in the Area
Skyline Drive is always a worthwhile add on when in the area of Little Stony Man. This popular and iconic park drive is the main thoroughfare through the heart of Shenandoah National Park, and includes access to Visitor Centers, facilities, trailheads, and more scenic viewpoints than you can count! You will drive a part of it getting to the trailhead for the Little Stony Man hike.
Dark Hollow Falls is another short and popular hike in the area, and much like Little Stony Man, it also has a stunning payoff at the end – arguably the most beautiful and rugged waterfall in Shenandoah! Dark Hollow Falls is somewhat deceptive, however, as it is a downhill hike initially to the waterfall, with the incline coming on the return trip back up to the trailhead!
Close to both Dark Hollow Falls and the Little Stony Man Trail is the expansive Big Meadows, which provides a unique and different perspective on Shenandoah in its wide open Virginian meadows!
Looking for another lofty hike with views? A close sibling to the Little Stony Man hike is the Hawksbill Trail and summit, the highest point in Shenandoah National Park! It is located just down the road on Skyline Drive from Little Stony Man.
For one of the best challenges in the park, hike the highly sought after Old Rag summit, one of the most iconic and beloved hikes and views in Shenandoah National Park!
***Shenandoah National Park is one of the most beautiful National Parks in the country, and full of must sees! Check out some of my other favorite National Park spots and hikes!
Have a whole day to spend in Shenandoah National Park?
Check out this perfect 1 Day Shenandoah National Park Itinerary!
So What’s Next After Shenandoah and Little Stony Man?
Grab your own U.S. National Parks Checklist for all Your National Park Visits!
Related Articles:
- Hiking Mt. Rogers: the Highest Point in Virginia
- Dark Hollow Falls Trail in Shenandoah
- The Perfect 1 Day Shenandoah Itinerary
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