Shenandoah National Park | Carson Mountain, Fort Windham Rocks

This is one of our go-tos in Shenandoah National Park, on the Appalachian Trail, Carson Mountain Fort Windham Rocks. It’s a chill option if you have toddlers or inexperienced hikers or if you just want a quick, relaxing hike. The kids love climbing the first boulder you come across. This is often the highlight of our hike and we turn back, and I wouldn’t have thought to move forward when the kids were smaller. The kids are a little older now though and we continue to the rest of the boulders, which have very deep cracks (walk ahead of your kids — our kids have been here several times and still need reminders about one deep crack/potential fall).

The trail is pretty flat and super easy, but somewhat rocky, so expect some falls for the less surefooted (I call it practice). If you continue past the first boulder and turn right to the main area, the trail is much rockier. We’ve hiked this when the trees are green, but there is definitely more of a view when they’re bare!

Getting there: Park in the Compton Gap parking lot, which is only about 15 minutes into the park from the Front Royal entrance. Out and back is less than a mile. Easy peasy.

Not deserted but never busy. Only saw one other person on this outing.

Coordinates for trailhead/parking lot: 38.82363, -78.17055. A handful of people have asked for this! Let me know if you head out there; I’d love to hear what you think!