WATERFALL SHOWER White Oak Canyon, Shenandoah National Park
- last year
White Oak canyon, Shenandoah National Park is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia just west of Washington, D.C. This a great hike and plenty of waterfalls. Watch me get soaked by one! We hiked from the boundary road approximately 3 miles up to the main falls then back down.
Whitoak Canyon is a popular waterfall hike that can be accessed either via Skyline Drive or the park boundary from Route 600. This guide includes information about hiking Whiteoak Canyon from Skyline Drive, from the boundary, and as a circuit with the Cedar Run Trail.
Good to Know
Even if you are hiking from the boundary, you must have an
entrance permit or annual pass. Please be prepared to self-pay
(correct change or credit card) at the boundary trailhead.
Backcountry camping sites are very limited in this area, so be
prepared to go to a different area in the Park to camp, especially
on weekends. Be sure you have a backcountry camping permit
and that you understand the regulations, particularly those
pertaining to site choice.
An average pace is:
1.5 miles per hour for easiest trails.
1.4 mph for moderate trails.
1.3 mph for moderately strenuous trails.
1.2 mph for strenuous and very strenuous trails.
Skyline Drive to Upper Whiteoak Falls Hike
4.6-mile round trip 3.5-hours hiking time
Moderate 1,040-foot elevation gain
From the Whiteoak Canyon parking area (mile 42.6), take the
Whiteoak Canyon Trail. Pass the junctions for the Old Rag Fire
Road and the Limberlost Trail. About 2.3 miles from the start you
will come to a rocky ledge with a view of the upper falls. Retrace
your steps to return to the parking lot. The return trip will be very
steep! Hiking to the other five falls adds a strenuous 2.7 miles.
Cedar Run - Whiteoak Circuit Hike
7.3-mile circuit 6.25-hours hiking time
Very strenuous 2,794-foot elevation gain
From Hawksbill Gap parking (mile 45.6), take Cedar Run Trail,
go left on Link Trail, and left on Whiteoak Canyon Trail. Just after
the upper falls, go left on the Whiteoak Canyon Fire Road/Horse
Trail (see inset #2). If the water is high, use the pedestrian bridge
above the falls.
Boundary to Lower Falls Hike
2-mile round trip 1.5-hours hiking time
Easiest 500-foot elevation gain
From the parking area at the Park boundary (directions below),
begin at Whiteoak Canyon Trail and keep right at the intersection
with Cedar Run Trail. Cross a small stream and continue to the
base of the lower falls. Return by the same route.
Directions to Boundary Trailhead
From Sperryville - Follow Route 211 to Route 522 south for
0.8-mile. Turn right on Route 231, follow 10.2 miles to Etlan, turn
right on Route 643. Follow for 4.5 miles and turn right onto Route
600. Proceed 3.5 miles to the parking area.
From Madison - Route 29 Business, take 231 north for 5.6 miles
to Route 670 at Banco. Continue 3.6 miles to Route 643 in Syria.
Follow 0.8 mile on Route 643 to Route 600. Continue on Route
600 to the parking area.
For any questions please contact the park d
Whitoak Canyon is a popular waterfall hike that can be accessed either via Skyline Drive or the park boundary from Route 600. This guide includes information about hiking Whiteoak Canyon from Skyline Drive, from the boundary, and as a circuit with the Cedar Run Trail.
Good to Know
Even if you are hiking from the boundary, you must have an
entrance permit or annual pass. Please be prepared to self-pay
(correct change or credit card) at the boundary trailhead.
Backcountry camping sites are very limited in this area, so be
prepared to go to a different area in the Park to camp, especially
on weekends. Be sure you have a backcountry camping permit
and that you understand the regulations, particularly those
pertaining to site choice.
An average pace is:
1.5 miles per hour for easiest trails.
1.4 mph for moderate trails.
1.3 mph for moderately strenuous trails.
1.2 mph for strenuous and very strenuous trails.
Skyline Drive to Upper Whiteoak Falls Hike
4.6-mile round trip 3.5-hours hiking time
Moderate 1,040-foot elevation gain
From the Whiteoak Canyon parking area (mile 42.6), take the
Whiteoak Canyon Trail. Pass the junctions for the Old Rag Fire
Road and the Limberlost Trail. About 2.3 miles from the start you
will come to a rocky ledge with a view of the upper falls. Retrace
your steps to return to the parking lot. The return trip will be very
steep! Hiking to the other five falls adds a strenuous 2.7 miles.
Cedar Run - Whiteoak Circuit Hike
7.3-mile circuit 6.25-hours hiking time
Very strenuous 2,794-foot elevation gain
From Hawksbill Gap parking (mile 45.6), take Cedar Run Trail,
go left on Link Trail, and left on Whiteoak Canyon Trail. Just after
the upper falls, go left on the Whiteoak Canyon Fire Road/Horse
Trail (see inset #2). If the water is high, use the pedestrian bridge
above the falls.
Boundary to Lower Falls Hike
2-mile round trip 1.5-hours hiking time
Easiest 500-foot elevation gain
From the parking area at the Park boundary (directions below),
begin at Whiteoak Canyon Trail and keep right at the intersection
with Cedar Run Trail. Cross a small stream and continue to the
base of the lower falls. Return by the same route.
Directions to Boundary Trailhead
From Sperryville - Follow Route 211 to Route 522 south for
0.8-mile. Turn right on Route 231, follow 10.2 miles to Etlan, turn
right on Route 643. Follow for 4.5 miles and turn right onto Route
600. Proceed 3.5 miles to the parking area.
From Madison - Route 29 Business, take 231 north for 5.6 miles
to Route 670 at Banco. Continue 3.6 miles to Route 643 in Syria.
Follow 0.8 mile on Route 643 to Route 600. Continue on Route
600 to the parking area.
For any questions please contact the park d