Shenandoah National Park

Take a camera with lots of film or SD/XD cards!
Bring back photos and post 'me here.
 
The park has one of the highest concentrations of black bears in the country. They are usually shy, but you should both be very aware of safe practices (food storage, avoiding bears with cubs, etc.).
 
Potomac Appalchian Trail Club publishes a good set of maps for SNP

www.patc.net (Check the Store section).

Tends to be one of the more crowded sections of trail in Virginia. You'll need a permit to hike, so check with the park early to ensure that you'll be able to take your trip as planned.

It's a National Park so no firearms!

As for bears, they're out there, but less of a problem that folks make it out to be. I've been hiking there for the past 30 years and NEVER had a bear encounter.

For what it's worth, there are some spectacular sections of the AT in Virginia outside of the national park... Food for thought.

Have a great hike!
 
Speaking of no firearms, (I always carry one anyway, regardless of legality:D ) but my local state park just implemented a new rule as of this year. Anyone who has a valid ccw can carry a firearm into the park at all times. Man these laws are getting better all the time for us floridians.
 
I was there last spring. Try to stay near one of the entrances as most towns are not very close by for easy access. If you are hiking thru - there are many bears. I came across four in three days of solid all day hiking and fishing. The park, like most of the NP have alot of road traffic. The trails are empty for the most part as people don't like to venture out of the SUV. My wife and I put in around 15 - 20 miles a day with day packs with water bladders. I took along a flyrod and caught alot of nice brook trout. It was a very nice trip and seeing the bears (100 yards) was really cool. There are a few places to eat in the park itself - vendors of the parks service. The hiking is typically going down streamside and coming back up the loop to the main road. We did alot of the loop trials and they were fun. The AP runs along the parks length. I am sure that we crossed it a few times. Good boots for hiking and layers to shed as it warms up and cools in the evening. Bring either a bladder full of cool water or a filter to take water from the streams. I would venture to say at least buy a map upon entering the park and use the NP website as a guide. There are some very nice B&B in the area to get the loving kicked up a notch if $$$ and latex allows.
 
gotta carry the glock. Got busted a could of times and just got a warning. Never find me in the woods without a glock. I've been cought a few times, but he said next time he would have to write me a citation and didn't blame me for carrying a gun, since I lived in a crazy area.(not nearly as crazy as where I was currently at though) Figure a ticket is worth it. Besides when is the last time a ranger and or a wildlife officer checked your backpack while you were backpacking? (fishing and hunting not included);)
 
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