One of the best waterfall hikes in the Park. This hike isn't difficult and can easily be completed
in under four hours. You can also see White Oak
Canyon falls from a more difficult loop hike that also descends Cedar Run and
starts at the bottom of the mountain. For a loop route see the WOC/CR hike.
Although this hike can be steep in sections it is still ok
for younger children as the trail is well maintained and doesn't
require any creek crossing without footbridges. Being one
of the most popular hikes in the park it can be very busy
in the peak seasons of spring and fall.
Start on a gentle grade downhill on the White Oak Canyon Trail
and cross the Limberlost Trail in 0.3 miles. Continue downhill
and re-crossing the Limberlost Trail and coming to the first
footbridge footbridge in another 0.3 miles.
White Oak Run is now off to your left. As you get closer to
the main falls, 1.0 miles after crossing the footbridge,
White Oak Road will come in from your right.
Turn left over the footbridge and continue downhill for another
200 yards to arrive at the best waterfall overlook in the park
and a great place for a picnic lunch.
To return just retrace your route.
Interactive Hike Map BelowPrintable
Topo Hike Map (PDF) Hike route in Drag the map with your mouse using the icon Zoom with the controls on the left Click the icons in the map below for location shots
Calculate roughly how many calories you could burn on the White Oak Canyon hike:
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Hiker
Reviews For The White Oak Canyon Hike (5 Most Recent)
Very Nice, parked at the Mile Post 42 entrance, I prefer loop hikes, but this time, walked in to the third falls
and back out...numerous wildlife sightings , Bear (approx. 150lbs+) and many deer.
The falls were really running, all the spring rains, great hike Coming out is a Great Burn!
By:
Rating:
Date of Hike: Wednesday, January 16, 2008
If you haven't done this hike in the winter, you don't know what you're missing. Starting out at noon, I was the first one on the trail (no other footprints in the snow), and I saw only 4 other people. Noon was actually a bit late to get started, though, because the sun goes behind the hill before 4 pm and it gets cold fast! Beautiful big ice stalactite formations on the south facing rock formations were crashing to the ground in the afternoon sun - like watching a glacier calving. Also saw and heard a pair of pileated woodpeckers. Otherwise, it was just rocks, water, snow and sun. So beautiful.
By:
mike
Rating:
Date of Hike: Sunday, August 12, 2007
This is a great hike with a nice series of waterfalls. I would like to clear up other posters concerns with entrance fees. Shenandoah is one of many National Parks which require an entrance pass for the park. This has been the case since the 1930's. It is true that Rangers are present sometimes to collect this fee at the boundary station, however, if they are not present there is a self registration box at the trailhead that visitors are required to use in order to legally use the park. This self registration system has been in place for many years. If you hiked this trail in the recent past and did not pay the entrance fee, it does not mean there was not one, only that you entered the park without paying the fee. As a disabled vet myself, I can attest to the fact that you are allowed to utilize the park without paying entrance fees. The proper way to do this is to bring a letter from the VA stating that you are permanently disabled and are eligible to receive benefits for this disability to a National Park Ranger contact station and ask for the National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Access Pass. This pass is free and valid for life. It also gets you half off of camping fees in the National Parks. As for not being given a receipt, you should have been provided with one upon paying your entrance fee as it acts as your pass and is valid for the day you purchase it and the following 6 days. Concerning rude rangers, it is unfortunate that it happened, and taking their name and reporting it to the Park service is the best way to handle the situation. Concerning downed trees, the park suffered from a severe ice storm the following winter which damaged trees throughout the park and even caused the closing of Skyline drive as it was impassable. The rangers have worked extremely hard to clear the trees and were hindered throughout the year with the need to shift to the aid of fighting the forest fires around the country. However, most of the trails have been cleared. Basically what I am saying is, I spend a lot of time in the National Parks and consider them a great resource. They are underfunded and need the entrance fees to off set the cost of maintaing the park and providing ranger programs, etc. 80 percent of the fees are returned to the park in which they are paid and I consider this a small price to pay for a day (actually a week) of outdoor adventure. You pay that much for less than two hours in a movie theater. If entrance fees or one rude ranger turned you away, I suggest not letting that ruin what would turn out to be a great time and give it another try. For information about Shenandoah National Park, including rules and regulations surrounding fees, visit nps.gov/shen. Research ahead of time is always the best way to ensure no unexpected surprises.
By:
Dave
Rating:
Date of Hike: Sunday, July 22, 2007
I dont believe in paying people for access to a tax-payer funded park without at least getting a receipt. Something fishy is going on there. In addition, as a disabled vet i don't have to pay anyway according to recent legislation, but he "has never heard that". Funny the folks at other NPS sites had.
We must have done that trail 4 times over 30 years and that was the first time I have ever been "mad" at a park ranger. Oh well. We left in hiked in GW Forest instead. Less people, less BS.
By:
Rating:
Date of Hike: Thursday, June 07, 2007
What a shame for the previous poster, darby. Having hiked White Oak Canyon before he knows what they missed out on. The 8$ fee was new to me as well, since I hadn't made the hike in around 4 years, but it is well worth the meager donation. Parking below the falls at the end of route 600 through Syria is definitely the way to go for all drives originating southeast of the Skyline Drive. Beginning your journey there makes it an uphill, relatively easy hike to the first set of falls and then easy strolling downhill after an afternoon of hiking and swimming. We had a three year old with us and only had to carry her a few times. One thing that disappointed me was the presence of a significant amount of debris blocking the last half of a natural slippery-rock "water slide". Located right at the base of the first set of falls (or last set if you start at the Skyline Dr. entrance), you'll find this 15-20ft flume to be the highlight of your day provided the water level is high enough. Hopefully they've cleared the fallen tree by now, it looked to be a very recent event. Have fun and happy hiking!
Start on a gentle grade downhill on the White Oak Canyon Trail
and cross the Limberlost Trail in 0.3 miles. Continue downhill
and re-crossing the Limberlost Trail and coming to the first
footbridge footbridge in another 0.3 miles.
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