Shenandoah National Park has no shortage of spectacular hiking trails. From secluded waterfall hikes to expansive mountaintop vistas and even 105 miles of the Appalachian Trail Shenandoah is full of hikes to suite every type of adventurer. While on a weekend getaway at Walden Hall near the charming town of Culpeper, Virginia I knew I wanted to get in some hiking and as luck would have it I was only a 30 minute drive away from the White Oak Canyon Trail; one of the best waterfall hikes in Shenandoah National Park.
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White Oak Canyon has six waterfalls ranging in height from 35 to 86 feet high, and with swimming holes at the bottom of each waterfall is one of the most popular spots in Shenandoah come summer time. The trail can be accessed from Skyline Drive (milepost 42.6 near Skyland) and as well as from the park boundary near the village of Syria. A permit($20) or National Park pass is required to access the park from either location.
The White Oak Canyon trail can be as adventurous as you want it to be. For those doing the entire 7.3 mile long White Oak Cedar Run trail there is a 2,800 foot elevation gain and portions of the upper trail can be quite steep. To reach the upper falls from Skyline Drive expect a 4.6 mile round trip hike. Since we had plans to explore some of the area’s great wineries in the afternoon we opted for a quick 3 mile hike to the lower falls.
The day we visited just happened to be on one of the free national park entrance weekends as well as the first truly perfect day of summer (80 degrees and sunny with no humidity) so the parking lot for the lower trailhead filled up quick. A few enterprising locals open up their yards for parking ($10) but be aware this is on top of the national park permit fee.
Despite the full parking lot we found the trails fairly uncrowded.The White Oaks Canyon trail is largely under tree canopy but mosquitoes can be an issue so be sure to bring some bug spray as well as plenty of water.
The Blue Ridge Mountains had received record amounts of rainfall in the weeks prior to our hike which made for full waterfalls and even a few of the streams cresting up over the trails.
I found the trails of the lower part of the White Oaks Canyon on the easy to moderate side. Trails were easily marked but with exposed tree roots and moss covered rocks its best to wear shoes shoes with some decent tread. Sneakers were just fine but I’d advise leaving the flip flops at home.
The White Oak Canyon trail is best known for all of its beautiful waterfalls but my favorite part was the swimming holes at the base of each waterfall. The water was clear, crisp and in early summer still bracingly cold; but I couldn’t resist a dip.
Because I didn’t come all the way to Shenandoah to not swim under a waterfall, right?
Shenandoah National Park is full of spectacular hikes and White Oak Canyon with it’s clear,cool waterfalls is a new favorite. Do you have any favorite Shenandoah National Park hikes?
Check out these other Shenandoah and Virginia travel articles!
Shenandoah Hikes – Mary’s Rock Summit
Arts and Eats: Travel Guide for Richmond, Virginia
One Great Weekend – Your Guide to Two Great Days in Roanoke and Virginia’s Blue Ridge
Visiting Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello
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oneadventuretraveler says
Great hiking trail in the National Park. I love to hear about hiking trails in the US. As a fellow hiker this looks like a trail I would love. Great information and to know that its part of the Blue Ridge mountains. I will pin this for later to make sure I hike this trail to see the waterfalls. #WeekendWanderlust
Brianna says
So many great hikes in Shenendoah!
Rob - Parkcation says
We went in mid-November to Shenandoah so there was no swimming at the bottom of a waterfall for us. But your hike looks like a fun one – so we will just have to go back and try it! Thanks for sharing.
Jim edson says
My favorite hike in the Shenandoah National Park. I like to hike it in the winter. If you start at bottom you can hike all the way up to Hawksbill Peak. Challenging climbs! The hike 40 years ago would take you by a number of old growth Eastern Hemlocks which were huge. Now the large ones have died off and have either fallen or have been cut down. The waterfalls on cedar run and white oak trails are well worth the hike!!!!!!