Shenandoah National Park launches text alert system

Timber Hollow Overlook, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia~ Lara Ellis Photography (image used with permission)

Luray, Va. – Shenandoah National Park officials have announced a new resource for park visitors to track Skyline Drive status, campground availability, and important safety alerts, via phone.

Two separate message-based channels now allow visitors to opt in for information via text to make their park visits more informed and more enjoyable.

Subscribers to SHENALERTS will receive important texts related to hazardous conditions, road closures, emergency alerts and other events that might affect a visitor's park experience.

Consisting of 80,000 acres, Shenandoah National Park encompasses parts of eight counties. Each year, millions visit the area, which includes the 105-mile Skyline Drive, and 75 designated scenic overlooks.

Weather conditions in the park can vary greatly from those in the valley. After enjoying a bright sunny day in Luray, visitors are sometimes surprised to encounter thick fog and near-zero visibility upon venturing just a few miles to the park. Occasionally, certain trails may be inaccessible for a number of reasons. And like any public recreation area, Shenandoah National Park has its share of fender benders and emergency incidents.

To subscribe to this alert channel, text SHENALERTS to 888777. Users will receive a confirmation text immediately upon sign-up.

Juvenile black bear, Shenandoah National Park~ Lara Ellis Photography (image used with permission)

A separate information channel, SHENCAMP, will allow visitors to track campground availability on weekends.

The five campgrounds throughout the park offer sites that are a combination of “reservations suggested” to “first come, first served.” For campgrounds accepting reservations, they can be made up to 6 months in advance of a planned stay. On weekends, the remainder of available sites are quickly occupied, but sometimes, last-minute cancellations create unexpected availability.

Subscribers to SHENCAMP alerts will receive an early-afternoon notification indicating the approximate number of sites available at each campground. Subscribers will receive an additional notification if and when a campground reaches capacity.

To subscribe to this alert channel, text SHENCAMP to 888777. As with SHENALERTS, users will receive a confirmation text immediately upon sign-up.

Subscribers to both messaging systems can also opt to receive alerts via email. Text and email content will be specific to the channel they choose. Subscribers can opt out of either or both alert systems at any time. No subscriber information is retained.

“We hope this new system will provide valuable information to the public for planning their visits to Shenandoah,” said Park Superintendent Pat Kenney in a written statement.

As always, when planning their trip, visitors may also call the main Shenandoah National Park information line at 540-999-3500 to check the status of Skyline Drive.

Cell phone coverage is not reliable throughout most areas of the park. However, it is most-often available at Dickey Ridge Visitor Center and at some west-facing overlooks. Public WiFi is available at Byrd Visitor Center, Big Meadows Lodge, and Skyland Resort.

Deer with velvet antlers, Shenandoah National Park~ Lara Ellis Photography (image used with permission)

For additional information on park resources, programs, trails, maps and yearly opening & closing dates, visit www.nps.gov/shen or follow them on Facebook @shenandoahnps.