LURAY, Va. — Visitors arriving at Shenandoah National Park (SNP) after entrance stations “close” will soon be able to buy a pass and enter through automated gates — part of a new system scheduled to begin rolling out at all four park entrances this fall.
According to an announcement on the the SNP / National Park Service (NPS) website, automated entry stations will allow visitors to purchase standard seven-day passes using a credit or debit card when park employees are not staffing the entrances.
Visitors who already have a pass will be able to scan its barcode for gated entry.
The automated stations are planned for all four SNP entrances to Skyline Drive: Front Royal, Thornton Gap, Swift Run Gap and Rockfish Gap.
According to the website, the machines are intended primarily for after-hours use and will allow visitors to obtain an entrance pass regardless of when they arrive.
The change comes a little more than a year after SNP eliminated cash payments for entrance and campground fees.
The park transitioned to a fully cashless fee system July 1, 2025, accepting only mobile or electronic payments for those fees. As before, visitors may also purchase entrance passes in advance online.
Visitors who can only pay with cash cannot purchase a pass at a park entrance but can buy one from designated third-party vendors.
In Luray, cash-paying visitors can purchase a pass at Appalachian Trail Outfitters, 2 W. Main Street. Other participating vendors are located in Front Royal, Sperryville, Etlan, Ruckersville and Waynesboro.
For complete entry fee and pass information, visit the SNP “Plan Your Visit” page.
Beyond stating that installation will begin in fall 2026, the National Park Service has not indicated a specific starting date for use of the new automated stations.
This will be a disaster during leaf season