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White Oak Canyon Hike

One of the best waterfall hikes in Shenandoah National 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.

Explore 101 trails near Ida, VA

Know Before You Go

  • White Oak Canyon Trail in Shenandoah National Park is a 5.3-mile out-and-back hike to waterfalls, considered one of the best in the park and suitable for most skill levels, including families with children.
  • The trail is well-maintained with footbridges and a gentle start, but can be steep in sections and very crowded during peak seasons.
  • The main waterfall overlook, about 1.6 miles from the start, is a popular spot for lunch, and hikers should retrace their steps to return.
Interactive topographic map for White Oak Canyon Hike located in Ida, VA. Click the "View Map" button to load GPS coordinates and trail markers.
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Distance
5.3 mi
Difficulty
Moderate
Type
Out-and-Back
Est. Time
2.7 hrs
Elev. Gain
1,461'
Rating
4.4
Added
March 19, 2025
Updated
April 06, 2025

Weather Forecast

Tonight
Low 39°F
Mostly Cloudy
Wednesday
High 51°F
Chance Light Rain
Wednesday Night
Low 20°F
Chance Rain And Snow
Thursday
High 29°F
Sunny
Thursday Night
Low 15°F
Mostly Clear
Friday
High 34°F
Mostly Sunny
Friday Night
Low 25°F
Partly Cloudy
Saturday
High 41°F
Slight Chance Light Snow
Saturday Night
Low 19°F
Slight Chance Rain And Snow then Partly Cloudy
Sunday
High 28°F
Slight Chance Light Snow
Sunday Night
Low 15°F
Mostly Clear
M.L. King Jr. Day
High 34°F
Mostly Sunny
Monday Night
Low 14°F
Partly Cloudy
Tuesday
High 28°F
Sunny
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Total Change
1,448'
Ascent
1,461'
Descent
1,458'
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Features

Vista / Lookout Point
Dogs
Waterfalls
Camping
Water Source

Points of interest

  1. Parking

    38.58613, -78.38273
  2. Main Trailhead

    38.585876, -78.382859

Safety information

For your own safety: plan ahead, let someone know where you'll be, and hike at your own risk.

Hazards

Snakes (Rattlesnakes, Copperheads, others)
Poison Ivy or Poison Oak

Availability

All seasons

Surface type

Dirt

Trip Reports (Reviews)

Rated 4.37 out of 5 based on 35 ratings.

Ready to help fellow hikers? Add a trip report to share your experience and provide valuable insights for other hikers!

By: Chloe Z
5.3 miles / 8.5 km
June 19, 2016
Well worth the effort! We started at the upper lot on Skyline Drive and hiked all the way down to the lowest of the Lower Falls. Keep in mind, it is a pretty strenuous hike to get back up to your car afterwards, especially from the Lower Falls to the Upper Falls (which is not tricky but is very, very steep in places.) If you're up for a challenge, though, I highly recommend it! It's worth getting all the way to the lowest falls, too, because there's a great swimming hole there which is refreshing enough to boost your on your trip back. It's deep enough to cool you down, but shallow enough to get right under the falls. So much fun! If you're taking kiddos or you just want to enjoy the swimming hole without as much hiking, I'd recommend parking at the Lower Lot and just going to the lowest falls. The others are lovely to look at, and even have places you could swim near them, but you really have to work for them.)
Legacy Review
By: Ken
5.3 miles / 8.5 km
October 17, 2015
I've done the loop several times but chose to do this short out and back with my family to show them what I think are probably the best falls in the park. The fall colors are definitely coming in and the scenery was gorgeous, but the trail was a constant stream of people and the viewpoint at the top of the falls was packed. It was difficult to get pictures with several groups picnicking or just hanging out and not freeing up space for others. We went to the bottom of the upper falls for lunch and surprisingly there was nobody else there. Chatty groups, unleashed and in one case a leashed but aggressive dog, took away from the obvious beauty of this hike. Parking lot was 70% full when we got there (10:30) and overflowing by the time we left (about 1:45). If you value solitude then do this hike early, or on a weekday, or wait until the leaves drop. If crowds don't matter, then you'll thoroughly enjoy this hike especially now with all the color.
Legacy Review
By: barb
5.3 miles / 8.5 km
September 14, 2015
Love this hike! I have hiked with family and/or friends a few times from the top down and the bottom up. We have seen BlackBear on both routes which is always exciting. I highly recommend the bottom up for newer hikers that need to be reassured that hiking is an amazing adventure. The beauty of the waterfalls comes a bit quicker on this route and you dont have to drive the Shenandoah trail, you do still pay for entrance though unless you are during non peek hours.
Legacy Review
No community routes found. To add your own hike as a Community Route for this Trail guide, leave a Trip Report with an attached GPX file.

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