Elkwallow Wayside is a busy visitors center located next to the Elk Wallow camping and picnic area near Shenandoah. It features a popular grill room restaurant, especially at lunchtime, offering good burgers, hot dogs, and onion rings. The center has a gift shop with snacks, drinks, camping utensils, and souvenirs, making it a convenient stop for travelers. Outside, there are picnic tables and restrooms, although the restrooms can sometimes have long lines. While the visitors center itself offers no views, it is a helpful place to get supplies, enjoy a meal, or learn from activities like ranger talks. Visitors appreciate the friendly service, great food, and the variety of items available, making it a good stop during a trip to Shenandoah for hiking, camping, or just a relaxing break.
Nice gift shop with food and camping essentials available.
September 2025
We stopped for lunch and had the BEST smashburger and fries. Highly recommend.
August 2025
Nice little store, very friendly to thru-hikers, plus it's right off the trail! It has most items you'll need for a basic resupply plus hot meals and ice cream. It's a little on the pricey side but so is everything else in Shenandoah National Park.
