Dark Hollow Falls
- Height
- 70 ft
- Hike
- 1.4 mi round trip
- Elevation gain
- 440 ft
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Not allowed
Dark Hollow Falls drops about 70 ft in Madison County, Virginia. Reaching it is a 1.4 mi hike round trip with 440 ft of elevation gain.
Closures and warnings
Trail is short but very steep and rocky; return climb is challenging. Wet rock is slippery. Know your limits. As of September 28, 2026.
The falls
| Height | 70 ft |
|---|---|
| Flow note | Cascade reached after a 0.75-mile descent from the parking area; return by the same route. |
| Water type | Waterfall basin |
|---|
Access
| Hike | 1.4 mi round trip |
|---|---|
| Elevation gain | 440 ft |
| Road | Paved |
| Road note | Reached from Skyline Drive; park open even when Skyline Drive closes for weather (enter on foot). |
| Parking | Dark Hollow Falls Parking Area at Skyline Drive mile 50.7 (Central District). |
| Fee | Shenandoah entrance: $30 private vehicle / $25 motorcycle / $15 per person (7 days); cashless. |
| Hours | Park always open; Skyline Drive and facilities may close in severe weather. |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Wheelchair access | Trail does not meet ADA accessibility guidelines; service animals welcome. |
| Managed by | National Park Service (Shenandoah National Park) |
Rules
| Dogs | Not allowed |
|---|
Common questions
Common questions
Is Dark Hollow Falls open?
Trail is short but very steep and rocky; return climb is challenging. Wet rock is slippery. Know your limits. As of September 28, 2026. Hours: Park always open; Skyline Drive and facilities may close in severe weather.
How tall is Dark Hollow Falls?
Dark Hollow Falls drops about 70 ft.
How long is the hike to Dark Hollow Falls?
It's a 1.4 mi hike round trip with 440 ft of elevation gain. The road in is paved. Reached from Skyline Drive; park open even when Skyline Drive closes for weather (enter on foot). Parking: Dark Hollow Falls Parking Area at Skyline Drive mile 50.7 (Central District).
Do you need a reservation for Dark Hollow Falls?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at Dark Hollow Falls?
The fee is Shenandoah entrance: $30 private vehicle / $25 motorcycle / $15 per person (7 days); cashless.
When is Dark Hollow Falls flowing?
Cascade reached after a 0.75-mile descent from the parking area; return by the same route.
What are the rules at Dark Hollow Falls?
Dogs are not allowed.
Photos
Nearby
Camping nearby
Fishing nearby
Public land
Dark Hollow Falls is inside Shenandoah National Park .
Just outside: Shenandoah Wilderness (0.2 mi) .
Sources
4
- https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/dark-hollow-falls.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager, access.hikeDistanceMi, access.hikeDistanceBasis, access.elevationGainFt, access.parking, waterfall.flowNote, rules.dogs, access.wheelchairAccess, hazardNote, access.permitRequired false)
- https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/fees.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.fee)
- https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/hours.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.hours)
- https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/upload/BigMeadows_RoadTrail.pdf (accessed September 28, 2026; backs waterfall.heightFt)
More: Virginia waterfalls