Old Rag Circuit packing checklist | Camp Check [Skip to content](#content) [Camp Check](/) [Map](/)[About](/about) Show more details [← Back to map](/) · [Search spots](/#all) Trip details · Old Rag Circuit # Old Rag Circuit packing checklist * Activity**Day hike** * Park**Shenandoah National Park, VA** * Nearest**Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte, 348 mi** A 9.4-mile loop with a granite rock scramble to the summit. NPS rates it very strenuous, and a day-use ticket is required most of the year. ## Trip details Distance 9.4 mi circuit Elevation gain 2,348 ft Time 7–8 hours Ticket $2 day-use ticket, Mar 1–Nov 30, plus park entry Best season Fall color, on a weekday (our pick) ### Source * [NPS: Old Rag Circuit](https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/old-rag-circuit.htm) * [NPS Shenandoah: Old Rag FAQs and day-use tickets](https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/faqs-oldrag.htm) * [NPS Shenandoah: Old Rag road and trail map (PDF)](https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/upload/OldRag_RoadTrail.pdf) "Our pick" seasons are our own call. ## Packing list Reset Ready to go: **0%** · you have 0 of 14 ### Before you go * **Check conditions.** Closures, weather and trail status change. Look at [NPS Shenandoah: current conditions](https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/conditions.htm) the day you go. * **Tell someone your plan.** Where you’re going, who’s with you and when you’ll be back. [NPS: leave a trip plan](https://www.nps.gov/articles/hiking-safety.htm) * **Know when to turn back.** The rock scramble is slow and crowded. Set a turnaround time so you finish the loop before dark, and skip the scramble when the rock is wet or icy. This list is a starting point, not a guarantee. Conditions change, so adjust it for your trip and your group. We earn from qualifying Amazon purchases. [Details](/about#affiliate) Check off what you already have. For anything you still need, there’s a product suggestion when we have a good match. ### Trip-specific: permits and hazards 1. **Parking change**NPS alert: the main Old Rag trailhead lot is closed for construction until about November 2026. Use the overflow lots.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. Source: [NPS Shenandoah: current conditions](https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/conditions.htm) 2. **Old Rag day-use ticket**Required March 1 to November 30. Book on Recreation.gov and carry your park entrance pass too.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. Source: [NPS Shenandoah: Old Rag FAQs and day-use tickets](https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/faqs-oldrag.htm) 3. **Hands-free for the rock scramble**The upper trail is a strenuous scramble over granite. Pack so both hands are free.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. Source: [NPS: Old Rag Circuit](https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/old-rag-circuit.htm) 4. **Leave dogs at home**Pets aren’t allowed on Old Rag.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. Source: [NPS Shenandoah: Old Rag FAQs and day-use tickets](https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/faqs-oldrag.htm) ### The Ten Essentials [(NPS)](https://www.nps.gov/articles/10essentials.htm) 1. **Water**NPS: there’s no water on the mountain. Carry about 3–4 L each for a 7–8 hour day: roughly 1 L per 2 hours, more in summer heat.Need itHave it ![Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth 32 oz](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71x9VbJrhvL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth 32 oz $17.99 on Amazon NPS: there’s no water on the mountain. Carry about 3–4 L each for a 7–8 hour day: roughly 1 L per 2 hours, more in summer heat. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001N7V1QG/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) Source: [NPS Shenandoah: Old Rag road and trail map (PDF)](https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/upload/OldRag_RoadTrail.pdf) 2. **Food and extra food**A long, hard day. Pack lunch plus extra food.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. 3. **Navigation: offline map, map and compass**Several trails meet on the descent. Save the NPS map offline.Need itHave it ![Suunto A-10 Compass](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61SgLIozPML._AC_SL1000_.jpg) Suunto A-10 Compass $24.00 on Amazon Several trails meet on the descent. Save the NPS map offline. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TRB49PK/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 4. **Headlamp**In case you finish after dark. Your phone isn’t a headlamp.Need itHave it ![Petzl Tikka Headlamp](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71sDmxdaMIL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) Petzl Tikka Headlamp $34.95 on Amazon In case you finish after dark. Your phone isn’t a headlamp. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDLSGR92/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 5. **Sun protection**The summit ridge is open rock.Need itHave it ![Banana Boat Sport SPF 50 Spray (2-pack)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71KsaIMGD7L._SL1000_.jpg) Banana Boat Sport SPF 50 Spray (2-pack) $11.49 on Amazon The summit ridge is open rock. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQXX9US/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 6. **Insulation and rain layer**The summit is windy and cooler than the trailhead.Need itHave it ![FROGG TOGGS Ultra-lite2 Rain Jacket (men’s)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/613vT-iXDWL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) FROGG TOGGS Ultra-lite2 Rain Jacket (men’s) $22.74 on Amazon The summit is windy and cooler than the trailhead. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CKCZOZC/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 7. **First aid kit**For blisters, scrapes and sprains, the most common trail problems.Need itHave it ![Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81Tk3JSPj0L._AC_SL1000_.jpg) Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .5 $31.95 on Amazon For blisters, scrapes and sprains, the most common trail problems. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DV6PDY9R/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 8. **Fire starter and emergency shelter**If you get stuck out after dark, a bivvy and a lighter keep you warm until help comes.Need itHave it ![SOL 90% Emergency Bivvy](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81xGw29aTYL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) SOL 90% Emergency Bivvy $25.49 on Amazon If you get stuck out after dark, a bivvy and a lighter keep you warm until help comes. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NC9BLQ5/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 9. **Knife or repair kit**For quick gear fixes, cutting tape or trimming a blister pad.Need itHave it ![Opinel No. 08 Stainless Folding Knife](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51sHi+R6qwL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) Opinel No. 08 Stainless Folding Knife $16.62 on Amazon For quick gear fixes, cutting tape or trimming a blister pad. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000UGYWTO/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) ### Nice to have 1. **Gloves for the scramble**Granite is rough on your hands.Need itHave it ![Carhartt Wind Fighter Fleece Gloves](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61AYnXEFr8L._AC_SL1000_.jpg) Carhartt Wind Fighter Fleece Gloves $33.90 on Amazon Granite is rough on your hands. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HI0IWV4/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) Prices and stock checked on Amazon on Oct 18, 2026, and may have changed. ## Photos ![Granite boulders on top of Old Rag Mountain](/photos/old-rag-1.webp) Photo: [AGnias47](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Top_of_Old_Rag_Mountain.jpg) · [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0) · Wikimedia Commons ![Old Rag summit seen from Skyline Drive](/photos/old-rag-2.webp) Photo: [Acroterion](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Old_Rag_summit_from_Skyline_Drive_VA1.jpg) · [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0) · Wikimedia Commons Coordinates **38.5518°N 78.3145°W** Park **Shenandoah National Park, VA** Time now **UTC --:--:--** [](/spots/alum-cave-trail)[](/spots/old-rag)[](/spots/tuckerman-ravine)[](/spots/elkmont-campground)[](/spots/wildcat-canyon-starved-rock) Use two fingers to move the map **Affiliate disclosure:** As an Amazon Associate, Camp Check earns from qualifying purchases. Amazon links are affiliate links and don't change your price. **AI disclosure:** Pages are drafted with AI help and checked by a person against the linked NPS/USFS sources and live Amazon listings. Conditions, prices and stock change, so check before you go and before you buy. **Map data:** Elevation from [Terrain Tiles on AWS](https://registry.opendata.aws/terrain-tiles/) (Mapzen/Tilezen), built from USGS 3DEP and NOAA ETOPO1 data, among others. [About](/about) · [Sitemap](/sitemap.xml)