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Old Rag Day Ticket permit area in Shenandoah National Park - backcountry hiking destination
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Old Rag Day Ticket Permit

Shenandoah National Park · Virginia

Day ticket for popular scramble.

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Party

When it opens

30 days
First come, first served from 30 days before your entry date400 of the daily 800 ticketsYou book on the agency's site.
5 days
First come, first served from five days before your entry datethe remaining 400 of the daily 800 ticketsYou book on the agency's site.

Source: nps.gov

70% of the openings our scanner caught on Old Rag were gone within 10 minutes.

Old Rag reservation dates

Season
March 1 to November 30
route distance, loop
9.4mi
elevation gain
2,348ft
daily quota
800people

Old Rag elevation profile

Ridge Trail to Old Rag Shelter

2,348 ft of descent · 8.9% average grade

Landmark

Ridge Trail

Blue-blazed, the start of the circuit from the Old Rag parking area at the park boundary, and the climb that leads into the scramble.

Mile 1.72 of 4.99
1.72 Ridge Trail4.99 Old Rag Shelter
Mile
1.72
Elevation
1,938 ft

Old Rag landmarks

How to get an Old Rag permit

As of September 2026, Old Rag in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia requires a permit issued via reservation. Old Rag is a high-demand permit, rating 7/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Old Rag permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens. The permit season for Old Rag runs March 1 through November 30. The Old Rag route covers 9.4 miles with 2,348 feet of elevation gain, rated strenuous.

Type
Day Use
Location
Blue Ridge, VA

  1. Step 1: Create a National Park Service account

    Sign up at National Park Service if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.

  2. Step 2: Know the release schedule

    Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.

  3. Step 3: Be ready when permits drop

    Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.

  4. Step 4: Monitor for cancellations

    If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.

Book at National Park Service
Learn more:
Best booking timesCancellation hunting

Old Rag pro tips

  1. Two release waves, 30 days and 5 days out. If you miss the first, set an alarm for the second. It is another 400 tickets.
  2. Every person needs their own $2 ticket, including children. A family of four books four.
  3. The Weakley Hollow Fire Road route needs no ticket at all, which is a genuine option if the day you want is sold out.
  4. Start early. The park's own estimate is 7 hours 30 minutes and the scramble creates queues at the tight moves on busy days.
  5. Plan around the closed main lot through November 2026: the overflow lots add walking before the 9.4 miles even start.

More on Old Rag: Live availability activityWhen Old Rag permits open upDo I need a Old Rag Day Ticket permit?

How much an Old Rag permit costs

Old Rag permit fee: $2.00 per Old Rag day-use ticket. Park entrance passes and Old Rag tickets are separate transactions.

The Old Rag hike

Distance
9.4 miles
Elevation Gain
2,348 ft
Route Type
Loop
Duration
7 hours 30 minutes
Difficulty
Strenuous

A 9.4-mile circuit with a real rock scramble on it, capped at 800 tickets a day, sold at two dollars a head, and every person needs one, whatever their age.

About this permit

From March 1 to November 30, visitors to Old Rag Mountain need to obtain an Old Rag day-use ticket in advance, in addition to a park entrance pass. A total of 800 tickets are available for each day, and every person is required to have a ticket, no matter what age, so the cap is 800 people, not 800 parties or 800 vehicles.

The release is split in two: exactly 400 are released 30 days in advance of the reservation date, and the remaining 400 are released 5 days in advance of each date. Each ticket costs $2.00. They are sold online or by calling 877-444-6777, through Recreation.gov facility 10088450, and entrance passes and Old Rag day-use tickets are separate transactions.

The ticket covers hikers on the Saddle, Ridge and Ridge Access trails. Areas not highlighted on the park's map do not require one, and the park names Weakley Hollow Fire Road specifically, so the fire road is a ticket-free way onto the mountain.

The hike itself: the park publishes 9.4 miles as a circuit with 2,348 feet of elevation gain, rates it very strenuous, and gives 7 hours 30 minutes as a typical time. Its own description features an adventurous rock scramble and a 360-degree view, alongside a warning that hiking to the summit is very physically demanding and can be dangerous if you have not planned properly. Pets are not allowed on this hike.

One major 2026 constraint: effective May 4, 2026 the park began infrastructure work at the Old Rag Trailhead main parking lot, expected to complete by November 2026, and until then the main parking lot is closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Visitors can access the trailhead via existing overflow parking lots. Plan for a longer walk to the start than the mileage suggests.

The route

The park publishes the circuit at 9.4 miles with 2,348 feet of gain, rates it very strenuous, and gives a typical time of 7 hours 30 minutes. Pets are not allowed.

The ticket is required from March 1 to November 30 for visitors to Old Rag Mountain, in addition to a park entrance pass, and it covers hikers on the Saddle, Ridge and Ridge Access trails. Trails and areas not highlighted on the park's map do not require a ticket, and it names Weakley Hollow Fire Road specifically, so the fire road route needs no ticket at all.

Why it matters

Old Rag is the most popular destination in Shenandoah National Park, and the ticket system exists because it was being loved to pieces. The park's own summary is candid: highly rewarding, also very physically demanding, and dangerous if you have not planned properly.

The feeling

Forest switchbacks give way to granite, and then for the better part of a mile you are wedging through boulder chutes and hauling yourself up rock steps with a 360-degree view opening behind you. Slow, physical, and nothing like the rest of the park.

Old Rag hike highlights

  1. 800 tickets per day, and every person needs one regardless of age
  2. 400 released 30 days ahead and 400 released 5 days ahead
  3. $2.00 per ticket, and a separate park entrance pass
  4. Required March 1 to November 30 on the Saddle, Ridge and Ridge Access trails
  5. No ticket needed for Weakley Hollow Fire Road
  6. 9.4 miles, 2,348 feet of gain, and a typical time of 7 hours 30 minutes
  7. The main trailhead parking lot is closed to all traffic through November 2026

How hard the Old Rag hike is

  • Physical DemandFitness and endurance required4/5
  • Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills3/5
  • Exposure RiskSteep dropoffs and fall potential3/5
  • NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity1/5
  • CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route2/5

Best for: Fit day hikers who are comfortable using their hands. The scramble is the reason to come and the reason people struggle.

Recommended experience: Sustained hill walking plus a head for exposed granite moves. The exposure rating reflects real fall potential in the chutes and along the summit ridge, not a graded trail.

Not recommended for: Anyone uneasy on rock, anyone with a dog (they are not allowed) and anyone attempting it in the wet.

Trailhead information

Old Rag Fee and Information Station (main parking area / Lower Lot)

Primary

Where the day-use ticket is checked and where most people start hiking.

  • Restrooms
  • No water
  • Weak Signal

Parking

Parking at the lots operated by the National Park Service is free. Landowners with property adjacent to the park charge for parking, and NPS says paying a private citizen does not exempt you from the park entrance fee. Parking along road shoulders is prohibited. A day-use ticket does not guarantee a parking spot, and the park strongly recommends carpooling.

Getting There

From Sperryville: from Route 211 turn onto Route 522 and follow it south 0.8 mile, turn right on Route 231 and follow 8 miles, turn right onto Route 601 and follow signs about 3 miles. From Madison: from Route 29 Business turn onto Route 231 and follow 12.8 miles, turn left onto Route 602 and follow signs about 3 miles. Recreation.gov warns not to rely exclusively on phone GPS, because routes can be misleading and incorrect and cell service is unreliable, and suggests downloading an offline map before you leave home. In Google Maps enter "Old Rag Mountain Fee & Information Station"; in Maps on an iPhone enter "Old Rag Parking - Lower Lot".

Notes

NPS lists three amenities at Old Rag: information, shelter/cabin, and vault or composting toilet. There is limited cellular service at the fee station and no internet service, which is why tickets cannot be bought there. Buy the ticket before you arrive.

Trailhead information

Overflow parking lots

NPS says to park at the overflow lot if the main lots are full, and that the overflow lot has an access trail leading to the Ranger Station.

  • No restrooms
  • No water

Parking

Parking along road shoulders is prohibited.

Trailhead information

Berry Hollow Parking Area

Alternate

The back way in. Recreation.gov says this lot is primarily for those wishing not to do the rock scramble.

  • No restrooms
  • No water

Parking

Recreation.gov warns parking is extremely limited and that the 1-mile road in from the Lower Whiteoak Canyon entrance is a single-lane fire road.

Getting There

From Sperryville take Rt. 231 S, turn right onto Rt. 643 (Etlan Rd.), then right onto Weakley Hollow Rd. Drive about 3.5 miles and go past the Lower Whiteoak Canyon parking entrance another mile to the parking area. In Google Maps enter "Berry Hollow Parking Area"; in Maps on an iPhone enter "Berry Hollow Road Trailhead".

When to hike Old Rag

Best time to visit

April through June and September through November. The ticket season runs March 1 to November 30. October is peak colour and the tickets go fastest then. Avoid it in the rain: the scramble is what makes the hike, and wet granite is the problem with it.

Weather Forecast

Trailhead (5,000 ft)

Today

☁️

64°

53°

Wed

☁️

73°

56°

Thu

☁️

81°

54°

Fri

☁️

83°

57°

Sat

🌧️

64°

48°

49%

Sun

🌧️

60°

50°

55%

Mon

☁️

61°

42°

View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.

Old Rag photography guide

Golden Hour

NPS says the ticket is good from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on its date, and that a ticket is required at any time of day, even before sunrise or after sunset. First light from the summit is allowed, and it is the only way to have the scramble to yourself.

Best Light

Early morning, looking east over the Piedmont. By midday the granite is flat and hot and the scramble is a queue.

Beat the Crowds

NPS says planning your hike on a weekday will likely enhance your experience, because Old Rag can become very crowded on weekends, the parking lot will be full at times, and there can be long lines and substantial waits at some of the narrow rock scrambles. For summer and fall peak visitation the park suggests considering a less-crowded hike instead. Starting before dawn is the other answer, and the ticket permits it.

Classic Shots

  1. First light over the Piedmont from the summit boulders
  2. The granite slot sections of the scramble on the Ridge Trail
  3. Hikers hauling packs up a ledge, which is what the scramble actually looks like
  4. The Blue Ridge stacking away from the Saddle Trail descent

Old Rag rules, gear and safety

Gear checklist

Required
  • Shoes with real grip. The scramble is granite and it is slick when wet
  • More water than you think: 9.4 miles and 2,348 feet with a scramble in the middle takes most people over seven hours
  • A pack that will not snag; several chute moves are tight
  • Sun protection for the exposed summit ridge

Recommended gear

  • Gloves for the rock
  • A headlamp, in case the scramble takes longer than planned
  • Trekking poles you can stow: they are a liability in the chutes
  • Layers; the summit is considerably windier than the parking area

Rules & regulations

  1. 01From March 1 to November 30, every visitor to Old Rag Mountain needs a day-use ticket in advance, in addition to a park entrance pass
  2. 02Every person is required to have a ticket, no matter what age
  3. 03The ticket covers hikers on the Saddle, Ridge and Ridge Access trails
  4. 04Weakley Hollow Fire Road does not require an Old Rag day-use ticket
  5. 05Entrance passes and Old Rag day-use tickets are separate transactions
  6. 06Pets are not allowed on this hike
  7. 07The main parking lot is closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic until the trailhead work completes, expected November 2026

Hazards & considerations

  • The scramble. The park describes the hike as very physically demanding and dangerous if you have not planned properly
  • Wet granite, which turns the chutes from awkward into risky
  • Slow going: parties routinely take longer than the park's 7.5-hour estimate and finish in the dark
  • The 2026 parking closure, which adds distance before you start
  • Thunderstorms on an exposed granite ridge

Safety & planning

Emergency Info

Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Old Rag.

Food Storage

Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.

Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Old Rag · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides

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Old Rag FAQ

Do I need a ticket to hike Old Rag Mountain?

Yes, from March 1 through November 30. Every visitor to Old Rag needs an Old Rag day-use ticket obtained in advance, in addition to a park entrance pass. Every person needs one, no matter what age, and it costs $2.00.

How many Old Rag day-use tickets are available each day?

800. Exactly 400 are released 30 days in advance of the reservation date and the remaining 400 are released 5 days in advance. Because every person is required to have a ticket regardless of age, that cap is 800 people per day.

Which trails need an Old Rag day-use ticket?

The Saddle, Ridge and Ridge Access trails. The park says the trails, roads and areas that are not highlighted on its map do not require a ticket, and it names Weakley Hollow Fire Road specifically, so the fire road route is ticket-free.

How long is the Old Rag circuit hike?

9.4 miles with 2,348 feet of elevation gain, which the park rates very strenuous and estimates at 7 hours 30 minutes. It features a rock scramble and a 360-degree summit view, and pets are not allowed.

Is the Old Rag parking lot open?

Not the main one. Effective May 4, 2026 the park began infrastructure enhancements at the Old Rag Trailhead main parking lot, expected to complete by November 2026, and until then the main parking lot is closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Visitors can access the trailhead via existing overflow parking lots.

Does the Old Rag ticket replace the park entrance fee?

No. The park is explicit that entrance passes and Old Rag day-use tickets are separate transactions. You need both.

Old Rag trail conditions and trip reports

Trail Conditions

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Alternatives to an Old Rag permit

  • Similar ExperiencePermit required

    Great Smoky Backcountry Overnight

    Designated-site backpacking in the southern Appalachians, four hours southwest.

    Tradeoffs

    Overnight rather than a day hike, at $8 a head per night plus $6. No scrambling, but far more country.

  • Similar ExperiencePermit required

    LeConte Shelter

    A one-night shelter on the Smokies' third-highest peak, reached by five trails from 10 miles round trip.

    Tradeoffs

    A comparable eastern classic with a summit night attached, but no scramble and a one-month booking window.

  • Similar ExperiencePermit required

    Big Bend South Rim

    A 12.5-mile Chisos Mountains loop in west Texas with designated backcountry campsites.

    Tradeoffs

    Longer and drier, with no water at all in the high country, but permits are in person only from April 16 to October 31.

Where to stay near Old Rag

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