A circuit hike to Camp Rapidan, the rustic getaway of President Herbert Hoover and First Lady Lou Henry Hoover. Today, this restful spot features exhibits on the First Couple and their perspectives. This hike contains three stream crossings. Pets must be on a physical leash no longer than 6 feet at all times.

Distance: 7.4-mile circuit hike
Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous (explanation of our hiking difficulty scale)
Hiking Time: 8 hours
Elevation Gain: 1,520 feet

Hike Description

1. From the Milam Gap Parking Area (mile 52.8), cross Skyline Drive and take the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) a few feet to the trailpost.
2. Go left onto the blue-blazed Mill Prong Trail.
3. Take a slight right onto the yellow-blazed Mill Prong Horse Trail and follow it to Rapidan Camp.
4. After exploring the camp, take the Laurel Prong Trail (an old road trace), which is yellow-blazed, for about a half mile.
5. Continue straight on Laurel Prong when it becomes blue-blazed and stay on it past the junction with Cat Knob Trail.
6. At the junction with the A.T., turn right and follow it north across Hazeltop, the third highest peak in Shenandoah.
7. The A.T. will take you back to your starting point Milam Gap.