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), days average 57°F with 10.1 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
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
- 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
Is Shenandoah crowded in November?
Moderately: November runs 48% of the October peak, averaging 151,769 visits (NPS, 2021–2025).
What is the weather like in Shenandoah in November?
Average highs of 57°F, lows of 34°F, 3.2″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, LURAY 5 E, VA US station).
What should I pack for Shenandoah in November?
Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy); Packable rain jacket; Headlamp — the full weather-computed list is on this page.
See also: the best national parks to visit in November · Last verified 2026-09-12