Whiteoak Canyon

Whiteoak Canyon is a gorge of cascades, hemlocks and pools in the eastern foothills of Shenandoah National Park, and it is often named the park's most scenic hike. The stream tumbles through a series of waterfalls totaling several hundred feet, the largest of which, the upper falls, drops roughly 86 feet in a single, splashing ribbon. The trail follows the creek past moss-covered boulders and small swimming holes, and there are viewing points at several levels, so you can choose how far to go depending on time, energy and the season. For waterfall lovers it is a day well spent.

There are two main ways to hike it. From the upper trailhead on Skyline Drive, you descend to the falls and must climb back out, so the return is the hard part, while from the lower trailhead you walk up the valley beside the creek and enjoy a gradual ascent with the falls as your reward. The lower approach is longer in total but easier on the legs.

Some visitors do a one-way hike with a shuttle, parking at both ends, which is ideal if you have two cars or a friend willing to drive. Whichever route you choose, allow at least four hours for a visit that includes the upper falls, and more for the full length.

The scenery is the reason to go. Each of the falls has a different personality, from thin veils to broad plunges, and the pools below some of them invite wading on a warm day. The hemlock forest keeps the gorge cool and shady, and the sound of water follows you for most of the hike.

Seasonal variety is wide, with spring and early summer offering the strongest flow, autumn adding color to the canyon walls, and winter freezing the edges of the falls into ice. After heavy rain the creek can rise quickly, so be careful at crossings and avoid wet rocks near the falls.

A few cautions matter. The park discourages swimming where it is unsafe, and slips on wet rock are the most common cause of injuries, so stay on marked trails and viewing points rather than scrambling to the lip of the falls. Access to the lower trailhead is via a rural road on the east side, and parking is limited on summer weekends, so arrive early.

Bring water, snacks, a map and trail shoes, and be realistic about the climb on the way out. Dogs are restricted on some of these trails, so check the pet rules before you go.

If Whiteoak Canyon is too long for your group, Dark Hollow Falls offers a gentler taste of the same landscape, and Hawksbill gives a summit view in a similar time. If you want something between the two, hike to the first falls and turn back. Either way, finish with a meal in Luray or at Skyland, and give yourself the evening to rest, since waterfalls are deceptively tiring.

Because the canyon is in the east side of the park, it also pairs naturally with Old Rag for a second hiking day on the same side of the mountains.