AFTON, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- Shenandoah National Park has hundreds of miles of scenic views showcasing the Blue Ridge Mountains. Sarah Allen took a trip up to Skyline Drive as part of our new series, Trips On A Tank.

“We opened our doors back in 1935 as one of the big parks of the eastern U.S.,” Shenandoah National Park Ranger and Visual Information Specialist Karl Rand said. 

How big?

“We have about 200,000 acres. To access the park, that's going to be taking a drive on a tank of gas up along Skyline Drive, and that's 105 miles north to south, point to point," Rand said. 

One of the big access points of Skyline Drive is just about 25 minutes from Charlottesville. And if the drive itself isn’t enough, Rand says there is plenty of room to trek to more scenic views. 

“Hiking is a big, big part of Shenandoah. We have a lot of wildernesses. About 40% of the park is designated wilderness. But with that there is about 516 miles of hiking trail in total,” Rand said. 

The park is open throughout the entirety of the year, but Rand says some seasons are busier than others. 

“Spring and especially fall. So early wildflowers and the changing fall foliage. And that’s what we are going to hopefully be seeing in the next few weeks,” Rand said.

To best plan your visit to see the peak oranges, reds, and yellows, the park provides updates each week on the foliage on their social media. 

Though it depends a lot on the summer temperatures and precipitation, Rand says the best views should last a couple weeks. 

“Typically, our leaves start changing mid- to late September and continue through October,” Rand said.

As for Rand, his favorite spots happen to be closest to home. 

“Coming from Charlottesville, you are near my favorite part of the park which is the entire south district that spans across 40 miles,” Rand said.

Rand says even if you're just in need of a joy ride, the south district provides some of what he says are some of the best views.