Dark Hollow, Rose River, Whiteoak Canyon and more, from a one-hour walk to a full morning of falls.
Shenandoah has more than a dozen waterfalls, and several of the best are an easy drive from our homes. They range from a quick out-and-back you can do before lunch to a full morning in a canyon of cascades. One thing they all have in common: the falls sit below Skyline Drive, so you walk down first and climb back up at the end. Save some energy for the return.
Dark Hollow Falls
If you only have an hour, this is the one. It's the closest waterfall to Skyline Drive, and the 70-foot falls tumble down a series of rock ledges in a cool, shaded hollow.
The trail is short but steep and rocky, and the climb back up is the real workout. It's also one of the busiest trails in the park, so go early or late in the day.
Distance: 1.4 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 1–2 hours
Trailhead: Skyline Drive Mile 50.7
Why we love it: The biggest waterfall payoff in the park for the least amount of time.
Good to know: Dogs aren't allowed on this trail. If your pup is with you, do the Rose River Loop instead.
Rose River Loop
This is the waterfall hike we'd pick for ourselves on a full day in the park. The loop follows the Rose River down past the 67-foot Rose River Falls, with smaller cascades, clear pools and a footbridge along the way. It's noticeably quieter than Dark Hollow.
Distance: 4 miles roundtrip (about 5 if you add the short spur to Dark Hollow Falls)
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 3–4 hours
Trailhead: Fishers Gap Overlook, Skyline Drive Mile 49.4
Why we love it: You get waterfalls, streams and forest the whole way, and leashed dogs are welcome.
Whiteoak Canyon
Whiteoak Canyon is the park's showpiece waterfall hike: a canyon with six major falls, big boulders and clear pools. Starting from Skyline Drive, you hike down to an overlook of the Upper Falls, the tallest in the canyon.
It's a real hike, so don't let the waterfall photos fool you into thinking it's an easy stroll.
Distance: 4.6 miles roundtrip to the Upper Falls
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 3–4 hours
Trailhead: Whiteoak Canyon parking, Skyline Drive Mile 42.6
Why we love it: If someone wants one big waterfall day, this is where we send them.
Good to know: You can keep going down the canyon to the lower falls, but every step down is a step you'll climb back up. The lower trailhead outside the park fills early on weekends.
South River Falls
South River Falls is the third-tallest waterfall in the park at about 83 feet, and it sees far fewer crowds than the falls near Big Meadows. The trail switchbacks down to a viewpoint looking across at the falls.
Distance: 3.3 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 2–3 hours
Trailhead: South River Picnic Grounds, Skyline Drive Mile 62.7
Why we love it: A big waterfall without the Big Meadows crowds. Pack lunch and use the picnic grounds at the top.
Overall Run Falls
At 93 feet, Overall Run is the tallest waterfall in Shenandoah, with long views over the valley from the rocks beside it. It's also the most dependent on rain. After a dry spell it can slow to a trickle, so save this one for spring or after a few wet days.
Distance: 5.1 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous
Time: 4–5 hours
Trailhead: Mathews Arm Campground, Skyline Drive Mile 22.2
Why we love it: The view from beside the falls is one of the best in the north end of the park.
Good to know: When the campground is closed for the season, park at Mile 21 and take the Appalachian Trail, which adds about a mile.
Hazel Falls
Hazel Falls is the closest waterfall hike to our homes, just a few miles past the Thornton Gap entrance. The falls are small, but they drop into a quiet, rocky pool beside a shallow cave, and you'll often have it to yourself.
Distance: 5.3 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 4–5 hours
Trailhead: Meadow Spring parking, Skyline Drive Mile 33.5
Why we love it: It feels like a secret, and it's only about 20 minutes from the house.
Tips for Waterfall Hikes
- Go in spring, or after rain. Spring is when the falls are fullest. By late summer some, Overall Run especially, can run low.
- Stay off the wet rocks. The rocks around the falls are slippery, and the park says they've been the site of serious and fatal accidents. Enjoy the view from the trail and the viewpoints.
- Start early on weekends. Dark Hollow and Whiteoak Canyon get busy by late morning, especially in summer and fall.
- Bring water and real shoes. Every one of these hikes ends with a climb, and the trails are rocky.
- Check park alerts before you go. Trails occasionally close for repairs, so look at the park's alerts page the morning of your hike.
- Head home to the hot tub. Both of our stays have private hot tubs, which is exactly what your legs will want after the climb back up.
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