Raymond R. “Andy” Guest Jr., Shenandoah River State Park

Elevation: 547 ft.

Raymond R. “Andy” Guest Jr./Shenandoah River State Park provides access to the east bank of the Shenandoah River’s South Fork as well as neighboring fields, forests and hillsides providing everything from river access to sweeping river views. Wildlife watching opportunities in the park are diverse and range from the herons, waterfowl and otter on the river to the white-tailed deer, black bear, scarlet tanager and other neotropical migrants of the forest.

In July, expect to find gray squirrels, eastern chipmunks, and many species of birds enjoying wild berries. Photo Credit: Lisa Mease/DWR

Overhead, almost anything might appear from osprey and bald eagle fishing the river to broad-winged hawk and American kestrel. While moving from the river into the forest, search blooming wildflowers for butterflies such as eastern tiger and spicebush swallowtails, hackberry emperor and a variety of skippers, sulphurs and whites.