Leave No Trace Preservation through education: building awareness, appreciation, and most of all, respect for our public recreation places.

National Park Service Shenandoah National Park U.S. Department of the Interior

01/11

Park Emergency Number (800) 732-0911

You’ll find these trail markers

at all trailheads and intersections. 

The metal bands are stamped 

with directional and mileage 

information.

Park Information recording: (540) 999-3500 

www.nps.gov/shen

Whiteoak Canyon Area

Road and Trail Map

Whiteoak Parking Area Skyline Drive (mile 42.6) to Upper Falls – 4.6 miles round 

trip to upper falls, the highest of the Whiteoak cascades at 86 feet. Return trip is very 

steep. Consider your physical condition and available time before continuing past the 

upper falls. Add an additional 2.7 miles round trip (1100’ elevation change) to lower 

falls and return.

Cedar Run/Whiteoak Circuit (mile 45.6) – very strenuous 8.2-mile circuit hike. 

From Hawksbill Gap, take Cedar Run-Link-Whiteoak-Whiteoak Fire Road-Horse 

Trail. Multiple waterfalls and cascades. Be sure to bring water.

Whiteoak Canyon from Boundary Trailhead – 2 miles round trip to lower falls; 

steep and challenging 6 miles (1100’ elevation change) round trip to upper falls. 

Return before crossing the large metal bridge above the upper falls.

Note: Round trip hikes proceed to a destination and return by the same route. 

Circuit hikes begin and end at the same point without retracing steps.

nI d ai n Run Trail

Nicholson Hollow Trail

Hughes River

Old Rag Parking

Old Rag

Parking

Ridge Trail

to Nethers Ridge Trail

Trailhead

Summit (3296’)

600

600

Hawksbill

Gap

Parking

Skyland

See the Skyland Area 

Road and Trail Map

for more detailed 

information

about this

area.

Whiteoak

Skyline Drive Trailhead

Whiteoak

Skyline Drive

Trailhead

600

(3,291’)

Old Rag Fire Road
Hiking Whiteoak Canyon

Park Emergency Number: (800) 732-0911

Whiteoak Canyon is a popular hike in Shenandoah National Park. The Skyline Drive Trailhead for 

this hike is at mile 42.6 near Skyland. 

This hike can also be accessed from the park's boundary (driving directions below). Boundary 

parking is limited. Parking is not permitted along the road or on private property.

Fees

Visitors hiking Whiteoak Canyon from the boundary must have a valid Shenandoah National Park 

entrance permit. Seven-day permits or yearly passes may be purchased from rangers, when 

present, or via self-pay at the Whiteoak parking lot at the boundary trailhead. Thanks to a Federal 

Fee Demonstration program, 80% of your entrance fee is returned to support previously 

unfunded maintenance, resource management, visitor services, and trail rehabilitation projects. 

Hiking Whiteoak Canyon

This trail boasts as series of six waterfalls, with the uppermost fall being the highest at 86 feet.

Safety

Take plenty of water and wear sturdy shoes. Food, extra layers of clothing, and a flashlight are also 

recommended. Do not leave the trail or climb on wet rocks. Many people underestimate the 

amount of time and energy necessary to visit all 6 waterfalls and return to the correct parking lot. 

Allow enough time to complete your hike before dark. Consult the trail map carefully to be sure 

you return to your vehicle. There is no public transportation between the Skyline Drive 

trailhead and the boundary trailhead.

Pets

Pet owners have the special responsibility of following the park regulations for pets. Pets must be 

kept on a lead no longer than 6 feet while they are in the park. This is for the protection of the 

park, its wildlife, for the pet's safety, and the safety of others.

Directions to Whiteoak Canyon Boundary Trailhead

From Sperryville, follow Route 211 to Route 522 south for .8 mile. Turn right on Route 231, follow 

10.2 miles to Etlan, turn right on Route 643. Follow for 4.5 miles and turn right onto Route 600, 

proceed 3.5 miles to the parking area.

From Madison, Route 29 Business, take 231 north for 5.6 miles to Route 670 at Banco. Continue 

3.6 miles to Route 643 in Syria. Follow .8 mile on Route 643 to Route 600. Continue on Route 600 

to the parking area.

Backcountry Camping

There are extremely limited opportunities for backcountry camping in the Whiteoak Canyon area. 

Camping is prohibited in Whiteoak Canyon between the Skyland-Big Meadows Horse Trail and 

the Cedar Run Link Trail. The remaining areas are steep, rocky and not suitable for camping. Park 

boundary limitations must be observed and neighbors’ property rights respected. Please do not 

trespass on private property. 

A Backcountry Camping Permit is required and regulations are strictly enforced. The permit can 

be obtained at park entrance stations, visitor centers, or at a self-registration station. The nearest 

self-registration station is at the Old Rag Parking Area near Nethers. 

Detailed hiking maps can be purchased at park visitor centers, entrance stations and from some 

local merchants in the Whiteoak Canyon area.

Leave No Trace of your visit. Pack out all trash and do not disturb, damage, or remove wildlife, 

plants, rocks, or historical artifacts.

Map available online at www.nps.gov/shen