Whiteoak Canyon
- Height
- 86 ft
- Hike
- 4.6 mi round trip
- Elevation gain
- 1040 ft
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Allowed
Whiteoak Canyon drops about 86 ft on Whiteoak Run in Madison County, Virginia. Reaching it is a 4.6 mi hike round trip with 1040 ft of elevation gain.
Closures and warnings
Return hike from upper falls is very steep. Continuing to the lower falls adds a strenuous 2.7 miles round trip with about 1,100 ft elevation change. As of September 28, 2026.
The falls
| Height | 86 ft |
|---|---|
| Flow note | Series of six waterfalls; uppermost (highest) is 86 feet. Hiking to other falls continues down-canyon. |
Access
| Hike | 4.6 mi round trip |
|---|---|
| Elevation gain | 1040 ft |
| Road | Paved |
| Road note | Skyline Drive Whiteoak Canyon Parking Area at mile 42.6. Boundary/lower trailhead also has a fee station. |
| Parking | Whiteoak Canyon Parking Area (mile 42.6) for upper falls hike; limited parking also at the park-boundary lower trailhead. |
| When it fills | Boundary parking is limited; no parking along the road or on private property. |
| Fee | Shenandoah entrance: $30 private vehicle / $25 motorcycle / $15 per person (7 days). Passes sold at Whiteoak Canyon. |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Managed by | National Park Service (Shenandoah National Park) |
Rules
| Dogs | Allowed |
|---|---|
| Camping | Not allowed |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Whiteoak Canyon open?
Return hike from upper falls is very steep. Continuing to the lower falls adds a strenuous 2.7 miles round trip with about 1,100 ft elevation change. As of September 28, 2026.
How tall is Whiteoak Canyon?
Whiteoak Canyon drops about 86 ft.
How long is the hike to Whiteoak Canyon?
It's a 4.6 mi hike round trip with 1040 ft of elevation gain. The road in is paved. Skyline Drive Whiteoak Canyon Parking Area at mile 42.6. Boundary/lower trailhead also has a fee station. Parking: Whiteoak Canyon Parking Area (mile 42.6) for upper falls hike; limited parking also at the park-boundary lower trailhead. Boundary parking is limited; no parking along the road or on private property.
Do you need a reservation for Whiteoak Canyon?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at Whiteoak Canyon?
The fee is Shenandoah entrance: $30 private vehicle / $25 motorcycle / $15 per person (7 days). Passes sold at Whiteoak Canyon.
When is Whiteoak Canyon flowing?
Series of six waterfalls; uppermost (highest) is 86 feet. Hiking to other falls continues down-canyon.
What are the rules at Whiteoak Canyon?
Dogs are allowed and camping is not allowed.
Nearby
Camping nearby
Fishing nearby
Public land
Whiteoak Canyon is inside Shenandoah National Park .
Just outside: Shenandoah Wilderness (0.1 mi) .
Sources
3
- https://www.nps.gov/places/upper-whiteoak-falls.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager / access.hikeDistanceMi, waterfall.ephemeral false / access.roadSurface)
- https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVPUB-I29-PURL-gpo36296/pdf/GOVPUB-I29-PURL-gpo36296.pdf (accessed September 28, 2026; backs waterfall.heightFt, access.hikeDistanceBasis / access.parkingPattern / rules.camping)
- https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/fees.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.fee / access.permitRequired false)
More: Virginia waterfalls