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Front Royal Area

About Front Royal Area

Located in Virginia’s northwest corner, Front Royal, flanked by the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and Massanutten Range to the west, is the county seat of Warren County. The North and South Forks of the Shenandoah River join here to form the main stem of the Shenandoah River.

Originally called LeHewtown, it was later incorporated as Front Royal on November 15, 1788. Rail service was established in 1854 with the construction of the Alexandria, Orange and Manassas Gap Railroad between Manassas and Riverton. This line was soon extended to Strasburg in time to become a factor in the Battle of Front Royal on May 23, 1862 and throughout the Civil War. Lumber, agriculture, manufacturing and grain mills provided employment in the region for decades after the Civil War.

Front Royal serves as the northern gateway to the Shenandoah Valley and Shenandoah National Park and lies in close proximity to the George Washington National Forest. It is also a designated Appalachian Trail Community. Nearby Bentonville offers access to the Shenandoah River State Park.

Area Visitor Centers

A bird's eye view of Skyline drive through the colorful autumn forest of Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.

Lodging, Dining & Things to Do

Skyline Caverns

Stories from Front Royal Area

Multicolored fireworks light up the night sky in Gatlinburg, TN.
Ring in a Blue Ridge New Year
December 28, 2021
Seasonal, Budget-Friendly, Family-friendly, Local Food, Luxury, Arts & Culture
Visiting the Blue Ridge Parkway for the holidays (or lucky enough to be a local) and looking for unique ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve? We’ve got your guide for seeing in the New Year at one of these celebrations in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
A retriever lies in front of the LOVEwork in Wytheville which highlights trains, hot air balloons and the town's location at the crossroads of I-77 and I-81.
Virginia is for Photograph Lovers
September 16, 2021
Driving Tour, Family-friendly, Budget-Friendly, Motorcycle-Friendly, Road Trip
Virginia's creative and sometimes whimsical LOVEworks are a wonderful photo opportunity. Why not start a new tradition and make some family memories finding and photographing a few LOVE signs while enjoying the out of doors this year?
Polly Woods hosted early travelers in her single story log home near the Peaks of Otter Lodge.
Discovering History & Heritage in the Blue Ridge
February 24, 2021
History & Heritage
A drive along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway is literally a trip through time. But there’s lots more history and heritage to experience along the Parkway beside the route itself. But there’s lots more history and heritage to experience along the Parkway beside the route itself.
Numerous motorcycles are parked in the gravel lot in front of Big Walker Lookout's multistory tower.
8 Tips for Planning Your Parkway Travels
January 25, 2021
Caves & Caverns, Gems & Minerals, Native American Culture
The last Tuesday in January is National Plan for Vacation Day. Academic research shows that trip planning and anticipation bring positive effects. Here are some tips for planning your upcoming Parkway travels.
Dogwoods show white petals near the Parkway while cars drive under a curved stone overpass.
Nature & the Outdoors Along the Blue Ridge Parkway Regions in Virginia
April 17, 2020
Biking, Hiking Trails, Nature & Outdoors, Skiing, Swimming, Water Sports, Winter Sports, Family-friendly, Budget-Friendly, Horseback Riding, Pet-Friendly
The Blue Ridge Parkway and surrounding areas in Virginia provide a mecca of outdoor opportunities -- places to relax and enjoy nature from underneath a forest canopy, along a mountain stream or on a rocking chair on a covered front porch.
Blue Ridge Parkway featured in LA Times
Here’s what I found on America’s favorite country road, the Blue Ridge Parkway
November 27, 2017
Autumn Foliage, In the News
Here’s how not to start a road trip. First, at the Alamo rental car counter at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport just over the line from Washington, D.C., discover that your driver’s license is missing. Search and swear for two hours. Then find it in your left shoe. Second, when the Holiday Inn clerk asks what brings you to town, tell him you’re kicking off a big fall foliage road trip: all 105 miles of Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, then all 469 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina.