Have you ever wanted to visit Shenandoah National Park, but didn’t know where to start? There are so many trails that it can get confusing, especially if you are on a time crunch. I am going to give you my top 5 hiking trails in this national park. These are those that you must experience at least once in your lifetime. I will give you a little bonus tip at the end, so stick around to find out!
!! Keep in mind that there is an entry fee for this park and you must pay it!! You can pay either online or through entry to Skyline Drive. !!Failure to do so will result in high fines!!
5. Whiteoak Canyon Trail
Whiteoak Canyon Trail is a doozy either way you take it. The best part about this trail is that it is an out-and-back trail. This means that you have the freedom to head back whenever you want to. There are plenty of beautiful places to rest if you plan on hiking the entire trail.
The entire trail up and back is about 9.5 miles long with a 2,417 foot elevation gain. This trail is far from easy, but it is well worth it for everything that it offers. You can start this trail either from the top at Skyline Drive, or at the bottom right off of route 643. I suggest starting at the bottom to get the incline out of the way first. Either way, you have a massive incline and a massive decline to deal with, so be prepared. Bring lots of water, a bathing suit, and some snacks/lunch. Wear hiking boots instead of flip flops because it is quite slippery and you need proper footwear. Dogs are allowed on this trail, but you MUST keep them leashed, as it gets very crowded!
This hike brings you to some of the best waterfalls in the Shenandoah Valley. The upper falls are large and have small pools to swim in if you like. The highest fall on the trail is the Upper White Oak Falls, so once you hit that from the bottom, you can turn back if you are too tired. The lower falls have more family fun activities including a giant natural waterslide and massive swimming holes.
This trail has some absolutely incredible scenery and it shouldn’t be missed!
!!This is a popular trail, so you will have to arrive early to avoid crowds and get good parking!!
4. Hawksbill Loop Trail
Hawksbill Loop Trail is one of many beautiful overlook trails in this national park. What makes it more unique than the others? This one happens to lead to Hawksbill Mountain’s peak, which is the tallest point in the park.
This hike is about 3 miles and it does have a lot of rocky points. Please wear proper footwear and clothing. There have been copperhead and bear sightings here. Be vigilant and bring bear spray, just in case. Dogs are allowed on this trail, but they must be leashed! I would suggest bringing at least 1.5 L of water with you and a good snack to eat.
This trail is another of the most beautiful in this park. The views from the top are absolutely insane! Keep in mind that the beginning of this trail is about a mile of very steep uphill. It is well worth the views you get from the top! This trail is along the AT, so you will get to hike a portion of it while on this trail.
This hike should not be missed by hikers visiting this National Park!
!!Make sure that you get to this trail early because it is extremely popular!!
3. Bearfence Mountain Trail
This trail is considered Old Rag’s baby brother. Do not hike this trail if you are afraid of heights. It is considered a moderate level trail. The beginning of the trail is all uphill and includes a rock scramble until the summit, which is worth the hike. If you aren’t ready for the challenge of Old Rag but still want a fun rock scramble, this is the hike for you!
This trail is 1.4 miles long, but don’t be fooled. Just because it is short, doesn’t mean it is easy. The majority of this hike is a rock scramble, so I recommend wearing the proper footwear and bringing plenty of water with you. Be weary of poison ivy on this trail as it is around in many sections. If it is raining or icy, this trail is not safe, so make sure you check the weather conditions beforehand! Leave the fur babies behind, as animals are not allowed on this trail.
The parking lot for this one is on the opposite side of the trailhead, just a little further down from Dark Hollow Falls. Going south, the parking lot is on the right side and the trail is on the left. Once you get on the trail, you will have to go up a steep slope until you get to the rock scramble. All rocks on the scramble are marked with blue blazes. The summit of the trail offers 360 views of the forest below and is definitely worth the hike! You continue to scramble downhill and continue until you reach the parking lot.
I highly recommend this trail to anyone that is in good shape and is ready for a small challenge!
!!Keep in mind that there are bear and copperhead sightings on this trail; stay vigilant!!
2. Dark Hollow and Rose River Falls Trail
This trail contains the most popular waterfall in the park, Dark Hollow Falls. It also has another beautiful waterfall, Rose River Falls. This trail is not easy, but it is well worth the trek. The entire trail takes about 3 hours to finish and is 5.5 miles long. The sight of both of these waterfalls is hard to miss!
The first waterfall that you hit on this trail is Dark Hollow Falls. This 70-foot tiered beauty is the most viewed and visited waterfall in the park. Mostly because the trail is so short to get to it, that most people will make the stop. Even though the trail is short, don’t be fooled, it is a very steep decline/incline. You will need to leave the pets at home as they are not allowed.
You will hike a ways further and finally reach Rose River Falls. This spot was the ONLY time I have ever had a bear encounter on a trail! Please carry bear spray on you for protection! Once you reach these falls, you will have to take a steep hike downhill to see them from their best angle. These falls sit at 67-feet tall and have a pool underneath for a swim if you need to cool down. There is a long hike uphill after that to get back to the parking lot.
The beauty of the scenery makes this trail hard to miss!
!!As mentioned before, this trail is the most popular in the park. Arrive early to get a good parking spot and enjoy without the crowds!!
1. Old Rag Mountain Loop
This is the most popular trail in the park and there is no comparison to it’s rewards anywhere else! The problem: It is an excruciating journey. If you are not in good health or out of shape, it is best practice to skip this one. This 9.4 mile trail will have you using muscles you never thought you had! Please make sure that you are prepared for this hike, because it is a doozy! The views make it well worth the struggle!
I have to make sure that I highlight the things that you need to know before you set out on the trail. This is very important to your journey to know what to bring, what needs to be done prior, general rules, and other safety instructions before you head out.
Firstly, know your limits. As mentioned above, if you are not physically capable to climb up a strenuous rock scramble after hiking 3 miles uphill, skip this trail. This scramble does go on for a mile and you will use every muscle in your body to climb up, down, in between, through, under, and over these massive boulders. This is a hard trail for shorter adults and children, so make sure you have someone else hiking with you if you are not tall enough for the ride. It is the hardest trail in the park by a long shot. Please make sure you are physically ready to tackle this beast.
Bring a map with you for this area. Since Old Rag is a very difficult trail, there are many different ways to hike it to make it easier on your body if you want to do so. They give you multiple options to get off of the trail before the scramble if you decide you are not ready for it. Maps help with getting back to the summit without the struggle, if you need to change route.
Please keep note of the trail numbers on the blazes. These will help if you encounter an emergency and need to be rescued. Fair warning that many people get injured on this trail every year because they are not prepared for the hike. Please make sure that you keep the numbers in mind if you or anyone else on the trail needs assistance.
Tread lightly and avoid days with rain or snow. If it has recently snowed, the mountain will by icy. Therefore, it is not safe. When the boulders become slick or icy, they become even harder to climb than they already are. Best advice: Stay home! Try a different day if you encounter these conditions. Alternatively, make sure that you are aware of where you are hiking. There are copperhead sightings all along the trail and you will need to pay close attention to where you are walking. The summit of the trail is a popular spot for black bears, so make sure that you carry bear spray on you.
Parking is charged and camping is prohibited above 2,800 feet in this area. The parking lot next to the ranger station fills quickly in the morning, so make sure to arrive early for your full day adventure. Parking is not on Skyline Drive, but from the bottom of the park. There are multiple lots and they will charge you a park entry fee. If you need to plan a backpacking journey on this trail, please make sure that you are camping in the designated areas. There will be signs that mark the camp boundaries, so pay attention to where they are.
Pack lightly and leave your pets at home. This trail is way too difficult for animals and they do not want any pet deaths on their hands. Leave them at home when attempting this trail. The biggest thing you should pack on this trail is your water bladder. I would suggest packing 3 L of water especially if it is a sunny day. Other than that, limit what you are carrying in your pack, because there are extremely small crevices that you will need to squeeze through and a large pack will not allow you to do so. Bring a small lunch, small snacks, bear spray, and your water. You should be good to go!
Make sure you wear hiking boots! There are so many injuries on this trail from people wearing the wrong shoes to hike this trail. I personally witnessed a nasty fall from someone wearing sneakers with no traction. Make sure you plan your wardrobe accordingly and keep an eye on the weather.
When you arrive, you will need to go to the ranger station at the head of the trail. Here, they will charge you your entry fee (if you parked in the ranger station lot) and they will need you to confirm your day-use ticket purchase. Yes, you read that correctly! Before you arrive, you will need to purchase a day-use ticket (only $2) to access the trail. If the date you want to go is unavailable, you will need to plan another day to go. They are very strict about the ticket policy. This policy is in affect from March 1 to November 30.
Once you pass the ranger station and start the trail, you will climb a 3 mile uphill hike with multiple switchbacks. This is when you will reach the rock scramble. This 1.5 mile scramble is not for the faint of heart, so make your decisions wisely as you will be using every muscle in your body to get through it. This scramble can take anywhere from 1-3 hours depending on how busy the trail is and how capable its attendees are.
There will be multiple areas to rest, but don’t be fooled. If you think one area is the summit, it probably isn’t. There are many of these “fake summits” along the trail, but the correct one is marked by a big sign stating you have reached it.
When you reach the top, enjoy those 360 views that you have worked so hard for. This is the massive reward that millions come to see every year. The views are quite extraordinary and are among the best in the park. Have lunch, regroup, and enjoy your success in reaching that milestone.
The descent is much longer. The beginning of the downhill is a struggle and very rocky, so be prepared for a hard beginning. However, you are quickly met with a continuous subtle decline to a fire road. This will lead you back to the parking lot area where you can officially celebrate your journey.
Though hard, this trail is my favorite in the park because of the challenge to an extreme reward! If you are like-minded, this is the trail for you!
!!Make sure to arrive early to get the best parking available. Crowds pile into this site at 8:30 am!!
Additional Fun in Shenandoah without the "hike"
Luray Caverns is a wonderful attraction for people who aren’t looking for a strenuous hike, but still want to enjoy what the area has to offer. Though this is not technically inside of the Shenandoah park lines, this is a spot that I encourage everyone to experience. Not only is this cave network filled with beautiful natural formations, but it is the largest and most popular on the Eastern Coast. It’s many rooms and insane features, make it a must-see when visiting the area.
Skyline Drive is one of the park’s most incredible attractions that doesn’t involve a hike, but a scenic drive through the park. The way the road winds through the immaculate forests and the meticulously placed overlooks, make this an incredible feature to experience. The length of Skyline Drive is 105 miles and it includes 75 beautiful overlooks, 4 entrances, 4 campgrounds, and 2 visitor centers. It is generally up and running 24/7, however, acclimate weather could cause closures. The speed limit is a steady 35 mph, however, most go slower to take in all of the sights. Be respectful of others on the road.
This park is a must-see on the east coast of the US, and I hope I have provided you with much needed details that will make your trip easier to decide. Go out and enjoy the beauty!
