Photographing Buck Hollow Overlook

Location: Shenandoah National Park: Central District

Best time of year to photograph: Summer

Subject Focus: Sunrise, Landscape, Nature

Popularity: Low to Modorate 

Mile Maker: 32.8 on Skyline Drive

Buck Hollow Overlook is one of 72 beautiful overlooks that are on Skyline Drive.  Skyline Dive is the road that winds through the heart of Shenandoah National Park. Over 105 miles long, Skyline Drive offers great views of the surrounding Blue Ride Mountains and valleys while simultaneously offering photographers the chance to glimpse the outstanding scenery of Shenandoah.  Buck Hollow Overlook is located at Mile marker 32.8 long Skyline Drive.  Located in the northern part of the Central District of Shenandoah less then one mile south of Mary’s Rock Tunnel, Buck Hollow Overlook allows viewers to enjoy the beautiful sunrises while in Shenandoah National Park.  The quickest way to reach this outlook is through the Thornton Gap entrance off of Route 211 and then drive south 1.8 miles along Skyline Drive until you reach Buck Hollow Overlook which will be on the left side. 

Sunrise at Buck Hollow OverlookSunrise at Buck Hollow Overlook in Shenandoah National Park.

(Buck Hollow Overlook, 17mm, F/16, 1sec, ISO 100)

Buck Hollow Overlook has an outstanding view of the some Blue Ridge Mountains and is less popular because of its proximity to Mary’s Rock Tunnel Overlook and Hazel Mountain Overlook.  Buck Hollow Overlook looks Northeast making it ideal to photograph during the late spring and summer around the summer solstice, June 21, when the sunrises in the Northeast. During this period, the sun will rise directly behind the Blue Ridge Mountains.  If you are photographing Shenandoah National Park during the fall or winter, then you are able to capture some nice side light on the mountain ridges which will help illuminate the textures and the fall colors. If you are photographing Shenandoah National Park during the late summer through mid spring and want to actually capture the sun rising, then I suggest traveling south along Skyline Drive 0.2 miles to Hazel Mountain Overlook, which is an overlook that has a spectacular due east vista.  Click here if you want learn how to photograph Hazel Mountain Overlook.

Fall Color at Buck Hollow OverlookBuck Hollow Overlook has an outstanding view of the some Blue Ridge Mountains and is less popular because of its proximity to Mary’s Rock Tunnel Overlook and Hazel Mountain Overlook. Buck Hollow Overlook looks Northeast making it ideal to photograph during the late spring and summer around the summer solstice, June 21, when the sunrises in the Northeast. During this period, the sun will rise directly behind the Blue Ridge Mountains. If you are photographing Shenandoah National Park during the fall or winter, then you are able to capture some nice side light on the mountain ridges which will help illuminate the textures and the fall colors. If you are photographing Shenandoah National Park during the late summer through mid spring and want to actually capture the sun rising, then I suggest traveling south along Skyline Drive 0.2 miles to Hazel Mountain Overlook, which is an overlook that has a spectacular due east vista.

(20mm F/16, 1/40 sec, ISO 100)

Learn More: Essential Landscape Photography Tips,  Photographing Shenandoah National Park