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)
My dog and I did this hike today, and it was absolutely gorgeous! The first part down to the first falls was very easy, and it was nice being right along the stream. The view of the first falls is spectacular. The hike down to the base of the first falls is steep, but it is worth it for another amazing view, and some fun on the boulders. (Boomer was especially excited to do a little rock climbing). Since I was pressed for time I did not go down to the lower falls, but I plan on going back and hiking the White Oak/Cedar Run combo later. There was a lot of people on the hike, when I left at 3pm there must have been 30 cars parked in the parking lot and along the side of the road. This was good for me since I was alone and glad to have company in case something were to happen. Going down to the base of the falls and back took me just under three hours, so it is a good hike if you don't have a lot of time. Overall I loved this hike and it made for one great Saturday!
By:
peter jeon
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, November 01, 2008
It was the best hike I have experienced, hiking along the waterfalls, viewing huge rocks everywhere.
It was the place where I can relax and enjoy the unspoiled nature in the well maintained trail. Unfortunately there was no wildlife sighting. On the way whenever I feel tired, I could walk in the waterfall and rested for a while then continued.
By:
Royce
Rating:
Date of Hike: Sunday, May 25, 2008
This is a great family hike. We went Memorial Day Weekend (Sunday) with our son and some friends and loved it. We wanted to do Old Rag Mountain, but after reading the reviews we decided not to take our 4yr old son there because of the difficulty factor and went to White Oak Canyon instead. For those with kids in the same age group I would definitely recommend this trail. Our son was able to make it all the way down to the Upper Falls on his own and back up about a quarter of the way before his feet started "getting a little bit tired" as he told me. At which point I had to put him on my shoulders pretty much the rest of the way up. If you are able to hike about 2 miles uphill with the additional weight of your child this is a good trail....if you don't think you can or you aren't sure if your kid can make it the whole way, it could end up being a long day. We went into it "knowing" he would eventually end up on the shoulders. Either way it is definitely a beautiful sight to see and if you do end up spending the whole day there with your family that is more of a plus than a minus I would say. It took us 5 1/2 hours to complete it, but 1/2 an hour was spent on lunch shortly after we got there and another hour was spent at the Upper Falls goofing off.
By:
Robert Godlove
Rating:
Date of Hike: Friday, May 02, 2008
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.
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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