Parking
Begin at the Loft Mountain Wayside parking area on Skyline Drive at mile 79.5. A short connector leads from the wayside to the campground paths; the park entrance fee applies.
Overview
About Big Flat Mountain Loop
Why go
- Two west-facing AT views toward Massanutten reward the developed campground approach.
- The amphitheater and campground access make a varied loop from one wayside parking area.
Heads up
- The opening miles follow campground paths rather than a remote trail.
- The Frazier return has a steep descent and prohibits pets.
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Shenandoah map
Full mapElevation2,874–3,330 ft
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
2 active Shenandoah alerts
- ClosureOld Rag Trailhead main lot closedThe Old Rag Trailhead main parking lot is closed to vehicles and pedestrians for infrastructure improvements; use the existing overflow lots. - Work is expected to be completed by November 2026.Official details
- ClosureBackcountry camping and zone closuresBackcountry camping is prohibited on the Appalachian Trail from Lewis Mountain to Big Meadows, and the Naked Creek backcountry zone is closed.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Shenandoah Tour Guide
Your drive to Big Flat Mountain Loop, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Shenandoah National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Shenandoah audio tourRecorded for this trailhead
Loft Mountain Wayside: Milkshakes and a Short Hike0:00 / 0:27
“You're coming up on Loft Mountain Wayside, a handy seasonal stop for sandwiches, milkshakes and a break from driving. I'd look for a black raspberry milkshake if you want a treat.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Shenandoah Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Rockytop Overlook: Ridges and a Fire Story
- Loft Mountain Campground: Nights on Big Flat Mountain
- Doyles River Falls: Make Time for Both
- Ivy Creek Overlook: Three Mountains and an Optional Walk
- 146 audio storiesacross Shenandoah’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Black Bear, Bald Eagle, White-tailed Deer, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 163 trails, 142 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Big Flat Mountain Loop
The full loopBig Flat Mountain Loop is a 4.
Big Flat Mountain Loop is a 4.7-mile circuit from Loft Mountain Wayside, linking campground paths, the Appalachian Trail and Frazier Discovery Trail. Allow about 2.5–3 hours. The approach crosses a campground access path before joining the AT; the way back drops steeply on Frazier. At the first Frazier junction, stay on the AT for two west-facing views toward Massanutten, then take the later Frazier connection back to the wayside.
Campground paths to the ATThe first stretch follows an older access path beside the road, described as partly paved and…
The first stretch follows an older access path beside the road, described as partly paved and gravel. It passes the camp store area and continues toward the campground amphitheater, whose open setting looks into the valley. A path from there descends to the AT. The path and service access belong to an active campground complex, so this is a more developed walk than a backcountry loop.
Two west-facing viewsThe AT runs fairly level behind the campground before a couple of moderate rises.
The AT runs fairly level behind the campground before a couple of moderate rises. Do not leave it at the first Frazier junction: continuing north reaches two west-facing openings toward Massanutten, with the later view described as broader. The return on Frazier Discovery Trail is steeper, so expect the loop’s sharpest descent there.
Access and rulesStart at the Loft Mountain Wayside parking area on Skyline Drive at mile 79.
Start at the Loft Mountain Wayside parking area on Skyline Drive at mile 79.5; park entrance fees apply. The campground has seasonal services, but access along its paths when the campground is closed was not confirmed. Check with Shenandoah National Park before planning this route outside the campground season. Pets are not allowed on Frazier Discovery Trail, so the full circuit is not pet-friendly.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Shenandoah
325 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
21 sightingsBald EagleMost seen around 10 AMSighting map
1,036 sightingsWhite-tailed DeerMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
167 sightingsWild TurkeyMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
93 sightingsTimber RattlesnakeMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
24 sightingsCoyoteMost seen around 6 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Shenandoah. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
