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Safety

In case of emergency call park dispatch at 1-800-732-0911 or just dial 911.

Fog and storms can move fast in the mountains.

NPS/Neal Lewis

Driving

Most visitor injuries at Shenandoah National Park occur while driving. Wildlife collisions are common, so protect the animals and yourself by driving the speed limit (35 mph) and slowing down if you see an animal. Do not stop in the middle of the road to take pictures. You may pull off the road if there is a safe place to do so. Drive very slowly in the fog since it will be hard to see cyclists, animals, or a stopped vehicle in the roadway.

Hiking

Shenandoah's trails are well marked, but occasionally hikers get lost or have an accident. It is important to let a friend or family member know where you plan to hike and when to expect your return. Let them know how to make a report if they suspect that you may need assistance. Learn more about missing persons in National Park Service areas.

Things to consider:

Know your limitations and be sure you are physically able to complete the hike you’ve chosen.

It is dangerous and potentially deadly to climb on rocks near waterfalls.

Do not attempt to cross streams during icy conditions or flooding.

Pets must be on a leash at all times.

Take plenty of water—at least a quart per hour.

Filter or treat water from streams before drinking.

Be sure you know your route. You can download or view maps on the Maps page, the Brochures and Trail Maps page, or pick up free maps at entrance stations or visitor centers.

When you return from your hike, check for ticks.

Stay on the trail and avoid trampling sensitive vegetation.

Be sure someone knows where you are and when to expect your return.

Be aware that you are in venomous snake habitat.

Respect family cemeteries.

Respect history and leave what you find. Artifacts are protected by law.

Slips, Trips, and Falls

Wear proper, sturdy footwear when hiking on any unpaved trail. Watch your step and be prepared to turn around in dangerous settings such as a high-water crossings or ice on the trail. Never walk around the top of a waterfall - wet rocks are surprisingly slippery and many people have been injured, some fatally.

Dehydration

The average human uses a quart of water per hour on a hot day! If you might be in the woods more than 20 minutes, bring plenty of water with you (don't forget water for the dogs)! Boiling water is the best way to avoid water-borne diseases. Learn more about the Park's water sources.

Wildlife

Never, ever feed wildlife! Not only is it illegal, but it is dangerous to the animal, and it may be dangerous to you. Follow these reminders about viewing and photographing wildlife.

Bears

Do not approach or startle bears. If you see one while you are in your vehicle, remain in the vehicle. If you see one while outside, make your presence known by talking quietly and slowly back away. If the bear approaches you, make noise, such as yelling and clapping your hands. Most black bears will run away as soon as they realize you are a human. Keep them wild by properly storing food and disposing of all waste into the provided bear-proof trash containers. Bears can become very dangerous when they associate people with food. Learn more about bear safety.

Ticks

Several species of ticks are common throughout the park and there is a risk of tick-borne diseases if one bites you. It is important to take precautions and to be aware of the risks.
When you are in tick habitat:

Wear light-colored clothing, long sleeves, and long pants, with pant legs tucked into socks and shirts tucked into pants. Consider wearing gaiters as well.

Do frequent tick checks of yourself and any children or pets with you.

Always check for ticks after any outdoor activity, both at the end of the day and the next morning.

Consider using chemical applications. 0.5% Permetherin insecticide applied to clothing is effective in reducing tick bites; however, when used improperly it can create negative health effects. DEET repellent has only limited effectiveness against ticks (less than a couple of hours). Picaridin is another repellent option that will not ruin synthetic fabrics or their water-repellent finishes. Always use and store chemicals according to the manufacturers' instructions.

Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever are among the serious illnesses that can be transmitted by ticks and are known to have been contracted in Shenandoah. These diseases can go undiagnosed if the affected person is not alert to these diseases' symptoms, particularly if the patient's physician is in a region not usually affected by tick-borne illnesses.
If you find a tick attached to you, remove the tick and clean the bite site. If you become ill after a tick bite, even weeks later, see a health care provider. Some species of ticks are so small that you may never see them, so if you become ill after visiting an area where ticks are common, you should inform your health care provider of the possibility of a tick-borne disease.

Snakes

Be alert for venomous snakes. Copperheads and rattlesnakes are generally found on land but may sometimes be seen in the water. Use ordinary precautions: wear shoes and always carry a flashlight after dusk. If you see a snake, leave it alone! All animals in the park are protected by law.

Poison Ivy

Poison ivy grows plentifully along roadsides, trails, and the edges of parking lots as a vine or a low shrub. The leaves are red in early spring, shiny green in summer, and an attractive red or orange in the fall. Each leaf consists of three leaflets.

Most people are sensitive in varying degrees to the sap of this plant, which makes skin itch, blister, and swell.

Avoid contact with all parts of the plant. If exposed, wash the affected skin with soap and water as soon as possible. It takes several minutes for the sap to penetrate the skin.

Remember: Leaves of three, let them be!

Do not burn campfire deadwood that is entangled with poison ivy leaves or vines. Soot from the fire can carry the sap through the air, and cause serious distress in the eyes, nose, and throat.