Old Rag Day-Use Ticket

Old Rag Mountain Tickets

Each ticket provides access for one person to the Old Rag Mountain area. Tickets are required from March 1st through November 30th. Please note that the 1440-minute (24-hour) duration shown below refers to how long the ticket is good for, not the duration of the hike. The ticket is valid anytime for the day it is scheduled.

Select a date to see a list of times

Need to Know

• Entrance Pass

  All visitors to Old Rag Mountain are required to also have a Park entrance pass , in addition to an Old Rag day-use ticket. Entrance passes may be purchased online prior to your visit, or at any of our entrance stations, including at Old Rag. Old Rag day-use tickets must be purchased online and are not available for purchase at entrance stations.

• Where Tickets are Required

  Visitors to Old Rag Mountain, including hikers on the Saddle, Ridge, and Ridge Access trails, will need to obtain an Old Rag day-use ticket in advance, in addition to a Park entrance pass. Please bring your tickets with you as you may need to show them to a park ranger on the trail. View the map of the full area where tickets are required. 

• When Tickets are Required

  Starting March 1, 2022, visitors to Old Rag Mountain will have to purchase an Old Rag day-use ticket in advance of their arrival. Tickets ($2 each) are required to hike in the Old Rag area (Saddle, Ridge, and Ridge Access trails) at any time of day, from 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM from March 1 through November 30. Day-use tickets are NOT required for the months of December, January, and February.

• Proof of Purchase / Photo I.D.

  You are required to bring evidence of your ticket purchase for entry to Old Rag Mountain. Print or save a digital copy of your reservation QR code, which will be scanned to verify the reservation. Cell service is unreliable at the trailhead, so do this before leaving home. 

  The person who purchased the ticket(s) online must also present the Ranger with a photo I.D. (any form of I.D. with your name and picture). Photo I.D.s are not required for any other tickets that they may have purchased. However, photo I.D.s are required for Interagency passes and Shenandoah annual passes.

• Safety

  This is a strenuous, remote hike – know what to expect before you arrive. Children often need assistance navigating the rock scramble. Wear proper hiking clothing and footwear, and stay on the marked trail — hazardous terrain and conditions frequently result in visitor injuries. Bring plenty of water, and prepare for unexpected weather and delays. 

• Cell Service

  Cell and GPS services are unreliable on Old Rag Mountain, so please plan accordingly. There is no internet service available.

• Parking

  Parking at the NPS-operated parking lots located at the Old Rag boundary area is free. However, an Old Rag day-use ticket does not guarantee a parking spot. Because parking is limited, we strongly recommend carpooling with other hikers. Parking is prohibited along any public road.

• Pets

  Pets are prohibited on the Ridge, Saddle, Old Rag Access, & Ridge Access trails. 

• Hiking Map

  There are several different ways to hike Old Rag, so make sure that you pick the best route for you. Compare the different options and print or download the Old Rag trail map  so that you have it with you while you're hiking.

• Trail Blazes & Numbers

  You will see trail blazes painted on trees and rocks along the trail. The Ridge, Ridge Access, and Saddle Trails are marked with blue blazes; the fire road is marked with yellow blazes.

  You will notice numbers beneath the trail blazes on Old Rag. These are reference numbers for Search and Rescue personnel, so take note of the numbers as you pass them. If you need to report an incident, referring to the number you are closest to will help Park staff respond to you more quickly.

• Trail Intersections

  Trail markers are cement posts found at trailheads and trail intersections. The metal bands on them will show you what trail you are on, what other trails converge at that intersection, and the mileages to other points of interest.

• Tread Lightly

  Old Rag Mountain is host to many rare and endangered plants that live in the rocky environment of the granite boulders. These plants are particularly susceptible to trampling, so please stay on the marked trail and observe all rock outcrop management closure areas. 

• Food, Gas, and Other Services

  Food, gas, lodging and other services are not available at Old Rag; services are available in nearby towns.

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