Shenandoah in November: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Shoulder · VisitWhen score 68/100 · #11 of 12 months

November is a solid shoulder-season month to visit Shenandoah National Park: crowds run 48% of the October peak (151,769 average visits). Weather: highs average 57°F and lows 34°F, with 3.2″ of precipitation and 10.1 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

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Crowds in November

Shenandoah averages 151,769 recreation visits in November — 48% of what October, the peak month, draws. That crowd level sets the tone for parking, permits and lodging.

Weather & daylight

Daytime stays cool (highs average 57°F), and mornings are chilly (lows average 34°F). Average precipitation is 3.2″ for the month. Mid-month daylight runs 10.1 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station LURAY 5 E, VA US (9 mi from park coordinates, 1,400 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of November.

What to pack for Shenandoah in November

Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.

• Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 34°F
• Packable rain jacket — 3.2″ of precipitation is normal this month
• Headlamp — only 10.1 hours of daylight in mid-November (compare other options)
• Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month

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Want quieter or kinder conditions? The computed best months for Shenandoah are February and March.

Also at their best in November

Other parks whose computed November verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:

• Canyonlands in November — 35% of peak crowds, highs 55°F, score 72/100
• Mammoth Cave in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 61°F, score 72/100
• New River Gorge in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 54°F, score 72/100
• Petrified Forest in November — 45% of peak crowds, highs 58°F, score 72/100

Common questions

See also: the best national parks to visit in November · Last verified 2026-09-24