Subscribe to our newsletter and receive news and blog posts related to the national parks and nature conservation, delivered straight to your inbox every first Sunday of the month. The hike to Mary’s Rock via the Pinnacle Picnic area is accessed just south of the Thornton Gap entrance to Skyline Drive. Just took this from Mathews Arm campground to hogs back overlook! Mathews Arm Area Map (1.1mb pdf) These are the best places for couples seeking hiking trails in Shenandoah Valley: Which places provide the best hiking trails in Shenandoah Valley for travelers on a budget? At this point, you can take a small detour up, for a look at the upper portion of Dark Hollow Falls, before returning back down and continuing on the Rose River Fire Road. This trail does get steep in places and is challenging. Whiteoak Canyon Hiking Area | Karen Blaha / photo modified. This is the highest point in Shenandoah National Park, and the rocky lookout area at the top clears the way for scenic views, with no vegetation to block the vista. Below are some highly-rated hotels in Harrisonburg: Best Towns in Virginia: If you are interested in spending some time in a charming mountain town, a small coastal town, or simply escaping to a rural area, have a read through our list of the Best Small Towns in Virginia. As varied as the park itself, these amazing fall hikes in Mount Rainier National Park will take you through fragrant pine forests, to waterfalls, around shimmering lakes, across breathtaking meadows, to mountain summits and into an Arctic tundra-like environment. There are five additional falls beyond the first one in Whiteoak Canyon, and if you like long hikes, these two can be hiked as a very strenuous 7.3 mile circuit. A rock ledge with a stone guard wall offers you a good resting place as you enjoy the sight—and the thundering sound—of falling water. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The Rapidan Camp hike is about 4 miles out and back and passes by Big Rock Falls, too. We took our two dogs and they enjoyed it as well and completed it without issue. Out and back trails mean you’ll have to climb out of wherever you descended into. South River Area Map (550kb pdf) Located at mile 62.8 in the Central District of … Worth it since you get a higher view than the ones who drive up to it. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The Rose River Loop Trail is a nice option for hot days, as it meanders through large trees and past waterfalls and streams. The second highest point in the park is Stony Man peak, and like Hawksbill Mountain, it offers a rewarding view from the summit. Additionally, The Globetrotting Teacher has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. You’ll find the trailhead at Skyline Drive MP 50.7, just south of the Big Meadows area. We hiked down to the lowest waterfall. The main road through the park is Skyline Drive, and almost all the best hikes can be accessed from this route. You can read more about our Terms of Use / Disclosure here. If you are in the South District you may want to check out Doyles River Falls, mile 81.1. For ideas on where to stay, see our guide to the Top Resorts in Virginia. Booking.com This is a short 1.4-mile return hike that is suitable for almost everyone and one of the best hikes in Shenandoah National Park for families. All of the falls are described, with a map, in the inexpensive guide Hikes to Waterfalls in Shenandoah National Park. © Copyright 2020 PlanetWare Inc. All rights reserved. Instead of turning back after the waterfalls, continue down Rose River and follow Hogcamp Branch, also featuring a couple of nice cascades, until you get to the Rose River Fire Road. But if you’re staying in Charlottesville, for example, this would be the quickest way to get to the Whiteoak Canyon Falls. Really enjoyable hike. The South River Falls Trail can be done as an in-and-out hike to the falls and back, or it can be hiked as a circuit, taking the fire road and Appalachian Trail back. The parking area for the Bearfence Mountain trail is at approximately milepost 56.5. The two main highlights on the trail are the Rose River Falls and the lower portion of Dark Hollow Falls. It’s a “very strenuous” hike, as rated by the park, largely because you’ll need to scramble and claw through a couple of miles of rocky terrain to complete the trail and take in the incredible forest views. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Beautiful trail with tons of waterfalls. We always use a hiking app when we go out with our kids as it helps you find the trailhead and stay on the trail once hiking. The hike to Overall Run Falls is one of my favorites in Shenandoah. wading through some high creeks, listening to the water rush in the larger streams and rivers, and especially having the trail virtually to ourselves. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Note that in some cases more than one waterfall is on a downloadable map so you will see duplicates. The road leads to South River downstream of the falls and, Shenandoah National Park, VA 21.5 mi away, We recommend starting at the Jones Run Trailhead and extending your hike to a portion of. When starting at this particular spot, the last couple of miles will be on the pleasant Appalachian Trail. Whichever trail you choose, once you reach the top check out the view from the rocky ledges and the observation deck. Click on the links below for downloadable maps. Park Rangers offer guided tours from spring until fall. Only take your dog if well-seasoned & can handle a lot of stairs and jumping. The trail leads down from the parking area following a good path on mainly even ground, with a few rocky patches. The total distance of this lollipop-shaped hike is 1.6 miles, with 340 feet of elevation gain. Maybe it’s the combo of teacher and traveler in me, but the glossy pages and photos are all I need to see before I’m stuck on a chapter all about a National Park I haven’t been to yet and mentally mapping my next trip. So, this means less of an elevation gain for your legs! This is the most popular hiking trail in the park and it is always recommended by park staff.