Dark Hollow Falls Hiking Guide
Dark Hollow Falls is the waterfall most Shenandoah visitors see, because it is the closest one to Skyline Drive. From the Big Meadows area, a short trail drops beside Hogcamp Branch to a 70-foot cascade tumbling over rock ledges. The descent is quick and pleasant. The climb back up is the part people underestimate — this is an upside-down hike, and all the work comes at the end.
Permit: Shenandoah National Park entrance fee: $30 per vehicle (valid 7 days) or $55 annual pass; entrance stations are cashless
The Hike
The Park Service lists Dark Hollow Falls at 1.4 miles round trip with about 440 feet of gain, rated moderate and taking about an hour and a quarter. The trail descends about three-quarters of a mile from the parking area at Skyline Drive milepost 50.7 to the base of the falls, then returns the same way. In the Park Service's words, the return climb is challenging.
The Falls
The falls drop about 70 feet in a series of cascades over dark rock. They are fullest in spring and after rain and can thin to a trickle in dry late summers. The rocks around the falls are slippery; stay on the trail and off the wet stone. A short washout closed the trail for about two weeks in late August 2024, and it has since reopened.
No Dogs
Pets are prohibited on the Dark Hollow Falls Trail, one of fewer than 20 miles of trail in the park where dogs are banned. The Park Service suggests Rose River Falls as a dog-friendly waterfall alternative nearby. The Rose River loop's short spur to Dark Hollow Falls is also closed to dogs.
Crowds
As one of the park's most-travelled trails, Dark Hollow Falls gets very busy on summer and autumn weekends, and the parking area fills. Go early or late in the day, or on a weekday. In autumn, the Park Service advises moving on to another trail if a lot is full rather than waiting.
Practicalities
Budget $30 per car for a seven-day park entry, or $55 for the annual pass; the entrance stations no longer take cash. Big Meadows nearby has a lodge, wayside, restrooms and a campground. Bring water for the climb out, and wear shoes with grip. Black bears are common around Big Meadows — keep food secured.
Hiking tips for Dark Hollow Falls
- Save energy for the return — the whole climb comes on the way back up.
- Stay off the wet rocks at the falls; they are very slippery.
- Leave dogs at home or choose Rose River Falls instead — pets are banned here.
- Arrive early or on a weekday; this is one of the busiest trails in the park.
- Come in spring or after rain for the fullest flow.
Nearby trails to explore
- Rose River Falls
- Bearfence Mountain
- Hawksbill Summit
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Dark Hollow Falls is Shenandoah's easiest waterfall — just save something for the climb back. Use TrailMates to find hikers heading to Big Meadows. Download the TrailMates app to connect.