National parks near Monterey, Virginia
Shenandoah National Park is the closest national park to Monterey, Virginia — 67.1 mi (108 km) in a straight line, which works out to roughly 2 hr 2 min behind the wheel.
Shenandoah and New River Gorge make a full day trip — leave early. Cuyahoga Valley is better with a night booked nearby.
Nothing near Monterey gates the entrance itself, but Shenandoah National Park puts a road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket.
Monterey has a population of about 136.
National parks near Monterey
| Park | Straight-line distance | Estimated drive | Realistic trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shenandoah National Park | 67.1 mi (108 km) | 2 hr 2 min | Doable as a day trip |
| New River Gorge National Park | 84.7 mi (136 km) | 2 hr 27 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | 222 mi (357 km) | 5 hr 42 min | Best as a weekend |
| Point Pelee National Park | 291 mi (468 km) | 7 hr 20 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | 292 mi (470 km) | 7 hr 22 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Congaree National Park | 327 mi (526 km) | 8 hr 11 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Mammoth Cave National Park | 366 mi (589 km) | 9 hr 6 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Rouge National Park | 382 mi (614 km) | 9 hr 29 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Georgian Bay Islands National Park | 447 mi (720 km) | 11 hr 2 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Thousand Islands National Park | 451 mi (726 km) | 11 hr 8 min | Worth a longer road trip |
What to book before you leave Monterey
| Park | What needs booking | Covers | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shenandoah | Old Rag Mountain Tickets | One road or area | Timed reservation |
| Great Smoky Mountains | Great Smoky Mountains National Park Parking Tag | Parking, not an entrance fee | Timed reservation |
Camping near Monterey
Within reach of Monterey, 48 campgrounds across 6 parks appear on Recreation.gov: 30 at Great Smoky Mountains, 5 at New River Gorge, 5 at Mammoth Cave, and 4 at Shenandoah, plus 2 more parks with fewer sites.
Recreation.gov releases most national park campsites six months before the arrival date, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. Windows are set per campground, so confirm yours on the Seasons and Fees tab on that campground page.
Once a date is gone, cancellations are the real supply, and they get taken within minutes of appearing.
When to make this trip
Shenandoah National Park is generally best March through May, then September through November, with February and December as the quieter shoulder either side.
Midsummer is hot, humid, and buggy; winter is mild and one of the better times to visit.
Biting insects and afternoon storms dominate summer. Repellent and a rain shell matter more than warm layers.
Seeing more than one
Several parks near Monterey are close enough to each other to combine on one trip, so the drive from home only has to happen once.
| Pair | Apart | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Cuyahoga Valley → Point Pelee | 71.1 mi (114 km) | 2 hr 8 min |
| Shenandoah → New River Gorge | 151 mi (244 km) | 4 hr 2 min |
| New River Gorge → Great Smoky Mountains | 218 mi (351 km) | 5 hr 37 min |
| New River Gorge → Cuyahoga Valley | 220 mi (355 km) | 5 hr 40 min |
Planning a trip from Monterey
Distances here are straight-line and the drive estimate adds a road factor on top, but mountain passes and seasonal closures can change it a lot — a route that looks like three hours in June can be shut entirely in February. Confirm road status with the park before you commit to a date.
Common questions
What is the closest national park to Monterey?
Shenandoah National Park. It is about 67.1 mi (108 km) from Monterey, roughly 2 hr 2 min of driving.
Can I do a national park day trip from Monterey?
Yes — Shenandoah National Park and New River Gorge National Park are within about a three-hour drive.
How many national parks are near Monterey?
10 parks are within reach of Monterey, 2 of them close enough for a day trip.
Do you need a reservation for the national parks near Monterey?
None of them gate the entrance itself. 1 put a specific road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket — Old Rag Mountain Tickets at Shenandoah. These requirements are usually seasonal, so check the date you plan to arrive.
Where can you camp near Monterey?
Recreation.gov lists 48 campgrounds at the national parks within reach of Monterey. They are spread across 6 of those parks.
When is the best time to visit the parks near Monterey?
For Shenandoah National Park, the closest one, generally March through May, then September through November. Either side of that, February and December stays quieter.