This parking area offers a convenient access point for the Appalachian Trail near Front Royal if one does not wish to pay the entry fee to enter Shenandoah National Park. Hiking the trail in either direction from the parking area can be very productive for birding, especially during migration and during the breeding season. Lake Front Royal, a private lake owned by the subdivision bearing the same name, can also be viewed by continuing down 522 a short ways past the parking area, but the occasional Ring-necked Duck is about all that lake seems to attract beyond the expected Canada Geese and Mallards. During migration the most productive stretch of the trail is the part just to the east of 522 that skirts a small stream along the southern edge of the Smithsonian Conservation and Biology Institute. This stretch of the trail has hosted uncommon migrants such as Olive-sided Flycatcher and Wilson's Warbler as well as a wide variety of other migrants. During the breeding season, this is also a good place to look for Prairie Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat and White-eyed Vireo. Hiking in the opposite direction, heading west from 522, is often especially productive during the breeding season. Once you reach the thicker woods at the top of the first hill you enter prime breeding habitat for many of the lower elevation Blue Ridge specialties such as Cerulean and Kentucky Warbler. Hooded Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler and Acadian Flycatcher are all abundant in this area as well. If you hike far enough in this direction you will eventually enter Shenandoah National Park where there are many more birding opportunities.
Accessibility: There is a small dirt parking area off 522 just before the entrance to the Lake Front Royal subdivision. Open 24/7 365 days a year. No entry fee. For more information about the Appalachian Trail in general check out the Appalachian Trail Conservancy web site.
Owner/Manager: National Park Service
eBird Hotspot: Lake Front Royal/AT Trailhead
—James Fox