Dark Hollow Falls is a beautiful and easy hike, perfect for a short nature escape. The trail is not too challenging, making it great for families or casual hikers. There’s plenty of parking at the trailhead, and at least in the spring, it’s not hard to find a spot. At the end of the trail, you’re rewarded with a lovely view of the waterfall—peaceful, refreshing, and well worth the walk.

Best waterfall to visit at the Shenandoah National Park. It’s just a 1.4 mile round trip hike from the parking lot. You do however experience an almost 500ft elevation change during this hike so pace yourself. But overall it’s a great hike with family. Kids will enjoy jumping in the pool next to the falls so come prepared. Pack a picnic lunch so you can spend an extended time at the falls. You can scramble up the rocks to the upper falls where it is quieter than the bottom. Be advised there are no toilets at the trailhead or at the falls so stop by the visitor center on the way to the trail head parking.

This was a great trail with a nice view of the falls. It was crowded, but didn’t feel like it was. There is plenty of room for people. Would definitely recommend.

We went for round hike from the visitor Center at the big meadows. The trail said loop of 1.8 miles and it’s not wheelchair accessible. The path is moderate difficult but my 6 year old enjoyed crossing the creek and walking up and down the trail. We couldn’t go the higher overlook but definitely enjoyed the waterfall from lower overlook. Next time we might go see the higher overlook as well. The path crosses the creek where the waterfall start and full of tree shades.

Nice walk downhill.....and uphill after enjoying the small waterfalls. Small and beautifull and nice pathway well maintained. Skyline drive is great, anytime of the year. Seeing wildlife while on the walk is even better and makes for a great experience.

Overall it’s amazing and wonderful and would be 5/5 if it wasn’t for humans being humans. PLEASE READ THESE TIPS!!! -A lot of disrespectful foreigners that you need to be wary off. (Carry a weapon) -There is not enough parking so you will have to park in the grass or fight for a spot (Some foreigners started a fight) -Be patient and wait your turn because everyone runs to the waterfalls. (The further down you go, the less people) Just know that a lot of people swim in the waterfall so they don’t leave for hours! (It’s not even that deep of water) Pros: There is a waterfall every 5 minutes and feels like it never stops. There are no pets allowed so you don’t have to worry about that. You’re allowed to play in the waterfall, but be warned a lot of dirty people do this. The actual hike splits off into many different hikes, giving a large variety. It’s a pretty short hike to see the waterfall and not hard at all. Cons: Too many people know about the spot, causing a long line at each waterfall. There is an abnormal amount of foreigners that do not respect other humans and have no manners. There were fish in the small area by the waterfall, causing foreigners to kill them for some odd reason. The hike gets confusing dependent on what way you go, so be wary of the different routes. The only markers are different color markings on the trees and the occasional sign every 2 miles.

Short, but steep hike. Moderately difficult I'd say. The falls was beautiful in December. Exercise caution when you hike this during winters as there were few spots covered with slippery ice. No crowd when were there. Very relaxing.

One of my all time favorite hikes in VA. I’ve hiked it in the snow, rain, sunshine, and heavy fog It’s a great workout and the rock scramble is not the easiest but arriving at the summit makes it all worth it Here are some photos i captured while hiking old rag recently with my Leica 📷

A really enjoyable 9.4 mile hike, with a decent boulder scramble towards the summit. Awesome views on a clear day. Must book tickets and have a Shenendoah National Park vehicle permit. Parking is ample with bathrooms. National park staff were very friendly.

Very rewarding hike, we did the entire loop trail and started from the Old Rag ranger station trailhead. We got there at 7am and it wasn't too busy, but there are multiple parking lots and an overflow lot so be prepared for it to get busy and when we finished two of the lots were full. You need to reserve a day pass online that costs $2 per person ahead of time, and when you get there it is park of the national park system so it will cost to visit it, they honor the yearly passes as an fyi. In total we hiked 9.9 miles in 4 hours and 18 min, if you do the whole loop it is very challenging so be prepared. The rock scrambles were fun I'm 6'1 230 and had no problem fitting in the rocks or traversing the peak, so I know you can do it!

This hike is absolutely stunning! You really need to be physically and mentally prepared though. While All Trails and the NPS site indicate “rock scrambles,” there are some spots where you need to do some climbing. There’s one way to get up if you decide to do the loop (clockwise) since you can’t turn around at the rock scrambles once you get a bit in, but you can do the hike counterclockwise and head up some stair-like features. My watch indicated the hike was about 9 miles and it was VERY strenuous. Please be physically prepared and bring plenty of water. And if you’re hoping for cell service, it’s nonexistent. This is one of my favorite hikes I’ve ever done and a must see! P.S. this is a bit of a late review as I did it in the fall. Would not recommend in the summer months unless you love the heat.

Nice views but very crowded, once you get to the rock scramble part a lot of people are very new to rock climbing take a while to climb certain parts.

Beautiful views and a somewhat difficult, but super fun hike

Definitely a crazy hike and lots of fun. Take warm clothes even if the forecast is warm and clear as we got pelted with sleet and were freezing cold halfway up in April. Hiking poles are good for the way down, knees were hurting

I stayed at the cabin while traveling alone on business, and it was an amazing experience. The beds were soft and comfortable, the rooms clean and inviting, and the view was beautiful. I felt completely safe and at ease throughout my stay. The staff were kind, professional, and very attentive, which made everything smooth and stress-free. Another highlight was how close the cabin is to hiking areas like Stony Man—it was easy to fit in a quick hike and enjoy the mountain scenery between work. My internet was great. There are no televisions. It was the perfect balance of comfort, convenience, and hospitality. I would absolutely recommend this cabin to anyone—whether for business or leisure.

We got caught at Skyland by accident, attempting to leave Skyline Drive on our first visit late at night, and now return every year. The rustic, accommodating resort is a hiker's paradise, offering adjacent trail heads, stables, a satisfying restaurant and pub with long hours, and large picture windows throughout overlooking Shenendoah Valley for killer panoramic views. Our private room in the lodge was charming, spacious and clean, and the bed comfortable, although the balcony facing entrance door was very drafty. Our premium room had a TV set, medium fridge and good water pressure but no in room phone or internet service. We sat down this year to watch the November sunset over the Blue Risge Mountains from the comfort of a rustic room and a bottle of wwine. After sunset we went to the lodge restaurant for some warm stew and berry pie, and then went to sit before the cozy fire in the lounge and play table games while the stars glowed brightly above before retiring to a warm and cozy room.

The view from our room was amazing. We were able to enjoy the sunset right from our balcony. The location was great as well. It was perfect for our short stay. The room on the other hand was lacking. The AC didn't work properly, there was thick grime on the shower walls, the outside of the sink was either filthy or stained. The refrigerator door was left open and was warm when we arrived. We had to wait several hours for it to cool down to a usable temperature. The room was extremely over priced for what you get.

My husband and I just got back from a two night stay at Skyland. I have been wanting to stay there for years. In general, our stay was very nice. We reserved a "Premium" room and were assigned a room in Raven's Nest. There are a total of eight buildings that have premium rooms. The room was clean, but definitely rustic. We were given a room on the first floor and I regret that I didn't ask if we would have a balcony. Our room opened up to a patio, which did not feel private. Also, the view would have been better from the second floor. If you are hoping for a nice view from your room, make sure you ask to be placed on the second floor. You might have to carry your suitcases up a flight of stairs, but that would have been worth it for me. We loved waking up, eating breakfast, and then heading directly to one of the many trails available near the lodge. During our stay we had three meals in the Pollock Dining Room (2 breakfast, 1 dinner) and one dinner in the Taproom. Dinner last night (Saturday) in the Taproom was chaotic. They were definitely short staffed for the amount of people who wanted to eat there. The staff was great, but simply could not handle the crowd. The whole meal felt very stressful and we couldn't wait to leave. I was surprised that we never saw any type of manager attempting to help the servers or bartender. Our dinner on Friday and breakfast on Saturday morning were wonderful. Food was good and the view spectacular. Attached is the view we had a dinner on Friday night. If we go again, I would brings some backup food to our room so we wouldn't be forced to eat in the dining rooms. Also, plan to eat early before the rush arrive (prior to 6:30pm). Lastly, if you have a choice, opt to eat in the Pollack Dining Room even if you have to wait. Otherwise, enjoy your time in the beautiful mountains.

Skyland Resort including the lodge and diner were perfect for our stay at Shenandoah National Park. We were very satisfied with our room. We stayed in the Franklin lodge with 2 queen beds. Our room had a TV and Keurig but no refrigerator or microwave. We were aware those amenities were not included so planned accordingly. The room was very clean, warm and cozy. Beds were very comfortable and the shower was nice with hot water. We loved the view of the mountains, although somewhat obstructed by trees and another lodge, it was better than they had advertised. We felt safe and it was very quiet, even though all surrounding rooms were also booked. The Office has a nice family room with beautiful mountain views, games, cushioned rocking chairs, a fireplace and cozy environment. This was also where the WiFi signal worked best. It was very limited in our private room but our goal was to mostly disconnect anyway. The Diner was beautiful with open, log/wood appearance, a fireplace and beautiful mountain views no matter where you were seated. We thought the menu was very limited and quite expensive but was really the only option without leaving the park and driving 30 min away. We ordered from the Tap Room menu which had more basic foods like wings, burgers, etc. Our meals were $20 each for burger and fries. We both just had our usual water also. Overall, this was an amazing experience. All of the staff was courteous and very helpful. We highly recommend Skyland and plan to stay again.

Our only complaint was the the room we stayed in was a little drafty as the door didn't fit perfectly. The view from our room was great, and was an ideal location for horseback riding at the stables in the morning. Upon checking out and heading 7 hours away, we discovered that something was forgotten in the room. The front desk was able to help locate it and ship it back to our house for us.

A wonderful return visit to Skyland in Shenandoah National Park after a long absence. Visited to catch some fall colors, which did not disappoint. Lodging has been tastefully upgraded for comfort and convenience without taking away from the historic character. Food choices were excellent - much better than some other national park accommodations. Nice selection of vegetarian options.

This was a beautiful hike. There are some rock scrambles but nothing too serious. The views are very rewarding and the loop is very reasonable in duration.

Trail etiquette people! I would highly suggest think twice with young children under 10. It's a challenge & at one point a bit nerve-wracking at the top. Mostly because an almost 20 family group had us standing & waiting for minutes (we're 3) like we were on Everest. We could have easily passed them if they offered. It was hot & you're exposed at the top. I saw kids definitely under 7 yro struggle & our 10.5 yro did awesome. Moderate/difficult trail will have you on your butt scrambling for the next hold. Don't go if you're afraid of heights!

Really fun rock scramble, you can do the loop in less than an hour but beware that the scramble requires full ankle and hip mobility, good shoes and patience (if people are already climbing). The view up there is beautiful, please note that there is a no pet sign at the beginning of the trail.

Short hike to the best view in the park. The rocky ridge to the summit requires some rock scrambling. Do not take this trail if you have limited mobility, limited balance, or fear of heights, as there are some challenging spots where you will be exposed to vertical drops.

Beautiful view! The hike and rock scramble is super fun!

Truly a wonderful place for viewing the sunset. But it would be somewhat hard to go back if you stayed too long after sunset since the trail is not so easy.

Bear fence mountain is a fun hike for advanced hikers and new hikers fun for all views at the top are wonderful

Nice little shelter. There's an outhouse and a fire pit. Spring is nearby. Appears to be well maintained. Close to the Shenandoah park boundary.

Nice and Clean Shelter. Water is accessible but a hike compared to other shelters. There are four campsites also and a central privy... Very nice especially if in climate weather...

Nice place to keep break

such an amazing hidden gem

Very nice shelter, wish that the shower was working

Clean, covered, kept up. Nothing to give it a 5 star though.

Great place get out and enjoy nature

Dickey Ridge Visitor Center is the perfect first stop when visiting Shenandoah National Park. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, offering great advice on trails, scenic spots, and current conditions. The exhibits inside are small but informative, covering the park’s history, wildlife, and local geology. Step outside and you’ll find amazing views right by the parking area — perfect for photos, especially at sunrise or sunset. There are also clean restrooms, a gift shop, and plenty of maps and guides to help plan your day. If you want to start your Skyline Drive adventure on the right foot, make sure to stop here first.

Awesome. If you've never been to Shenandoah, this is a great place to start your visit. If you're passing through the area, please add a stop here. It's amazing. There are overlooks every mile or two, each giving you a different angle of the valley and mountains. The clouds are always present on the windward side of the mountains so theres a good chance youll drive through one. We did part of the drive as a one-off stop on the way to TN, but we liked it so much we did more of it the next day.

Very nice visitor center with lots of information and a gift shop. The restrooms are on the building close to it. They were pretty clean. Parking is spacious.

Skyline Drive VA The park ranger was so. nice. He also explained that Skyline drive was 105 mi. Long and the speed limit was 35mph. If you stop at many overlooks it could take 6 hours!! A fact we had not thought about. The photos are from the drive.

What a beautiful park. While entering I was able get my lifetime access pass. All the staff were pleasant and the facilities were all clean. We took a quick hike to a vista and then headed to our next destination. When we have more time we will be staying much longer.

Beautiful mountain views, lots of wildlife, and plenty of amenities. Park is long, narrow strip of land situated which can be traversed by car on skyline drive to get from one destination to another.

Beautiful view from the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center. No camera can capture the beauty that our eyes can. Parking could be tight depending on the day and time of the year.

One of the popular hikes inside Shenandoah NP, this small hike leads to the summit that offers great views of the valley. The lush green 🏔️ mountains is a sight to behold.

Hawksbill Mountain, the highest peak in Shenandoah, rewards hikers with breathtaking panoramic views. The trail is short but steep, offering a quick challenge and an unforgettable summit experience.

Absolutely gorgeous hike. Well worth the $10 entry fee. This place is awesome because there are hikes available for every level. We were shocked by the amount of children hiking up to the North lookout, but that’s because the hike didn’t start to get difficult to beyond that. We even saw someone in a wheel chair at the first look out. You could easily do a very short hike and still get great views, or challenge yourself with the skyline or river of rocks trail. Both involve a lot of rock scrambling, so make sure to wear proper shoes!

We did the hike on a Friday late morning. There was a small group of people who had made it to the top. Everyone was friendly, and it was lovely to chat with young and older hikers. There are three ways to reach the summit. Two are of a moderate hike, and the final one was the easiest. We did the latter and parked our car in the Upper Hawksbill car lot. Check the National Park website to see which route is best for you. The hike had moments where the land was flat, and then it got steep. Poles or a walking stick would be of great benefit. The view from the top was spectacular.

A good hike from Shenandoah VA skyline drive. It is not too difficult to reach the peak and the view from the top is amazing. There aren't many things to see on the way there though unlike a few other trails in the area. Would recommend this place for sure though. Just be careful around the boulders.

Great hike for beginners with stunning views. The way up is pretty straight uphill so can get tough but it is really short considering the view you get. It's the tallest peak in the park. Took us about 45 mins each way and we stopped a few times.

Absolutely stunning hike to the highest peak in Shenandoah National Park. We took the upper Hawksbill Summit Trail which is 100 ft less of elevation gain than the lower summit trail. They have separate parking lots, and they fill up fast so I would take whichever is open! the hike was 2.3 miles and 480 ft of elevation gain. It was a fairly easy hike that was the steepest at the top. Well worth it for this view. Even when it is busy, the rock structures are so large that you won't be sitting on top of others to see the view. There is also a viewing platform at the top in addition to the rocks to look out on. A definite must hike if you are looking for things to do along skyline drive.

Photo taken on October 16, 2024 - facing north. Beautiful morning with a slight mist resulting in a rainbow. The birds were enjoying the updrafts.

Pretty strenuous hike. Very rocky. Views are amazing and totally worth the effort. Trailhead has a ton of parking with restrooms.

This hike is pretty easy, nothing crazy intense. It's fun for all ages. The view at the top is really nice, and you can climb even further on the rocks to a more secluded area, just be careful.

Very rocky ascend but worth the hike

Fantastic hike with some of the most amazing views of the Senendoah Park.

Mary’s rock was a great hike for an intermediate day hiker. An 8 year old had no problem at a very relaxed speed.

Great hike and rewarding views along the trail and at the summit. Terrain is not bad, but it is all uphill to the summit. Bring extra water even if not hiking in hot weather.

Nice trail and accessible. Looking for a small wedding venue that was wheelchair accessible and this may be it.

Awesome family friendly trail.

Dickey Ridge Visitor Center is the perfect first stop when visiting Shenandoah National Park. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, offering great advice on trails, scenic spots, and current conditions. The exhibits inside are small but informative, covering the park’s history, wildlife, and local geology. Step outside and you’ll find amazing views right by the parking area — perfect for photos, especially at sunrise or sunset. There are also clean restrooms, a gift shop, and plenty of maps and guides to help plan your day. If you want to start your Skyline Drive adventure on the right foot, make sure to stop here first.

Awesome. If you've never been to Shenandoah, this is a great place to start your visit. If you're passing through the area, please add a stop here. It's amazing. There are overlooks every mile or two, each giving you a different angle of the valley and mountains. The clouds are always present on the windward side of the mountains so theres a good chance youll drive through one. We did part of the drive as a one-off stop on the way to TN, but we liked it so much we did more of it the next day.

Very nice visitor center with lots of information and a gift shop. The restrooms are on the building close to it. They were pretty clean. Parking is spacious.

Skyline Drive VA The park ranger was so. nice. He also explained that Skyline drive was 105 mi. Long and the speed limit was 35mph. If you stop at many overlooks it could take 6 hours!! A fact we had not thought about. The photos are from the drive.

What a beautiful park. While entering I was able get my lifetime access pass. All the staff were pleasant and the facilities were all clean. We took a quick hike to a vista and then headed to our next destination. When we have more time we will be staying much longer.

Beautiful mountain views, lots of wildlife, and plenty of amenities. Park is long, narrow strip of land situated which can be traversed by car on skyline drive to get from one destination to another.

Beautiful view from the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center. No camera can capture the beauty that our eyes can. Parking could be tight depending on the day and time of the year.

Nice park for families, there is a lot you can do there

What a great spot to catch your breath after spending hours on a rainy day on a motorcycle. Get a cheeseburger - and ask them to make the French Fries really well done. Yum!

A beautiful place for some respite, to feel a breeze under the shade and buy a few souvenirs. The store has postcards and stamps as well!

Wonderful nature spot to grill, picnic, relax and start a hike. Toilet facilities could use some updating, but really no problems.

Most I've ever paid for a hot dog! But it was well made and staff is doing a good job. It's too bad souvenirs are so expensive, even stickers! But it was a welcome, peaceful stop with bathrooms, picnic tables and plenty of parking.

5/16/23 This was our first stop before our walk down a trail. One of the things I saw in the gift shop were needful things like snake venom remover. There were other things for the serious hikers walking the Appalachian Trail too. The gift shop had some outstanding foods especially the hotdog I had. The trail we walked started to get annoying with gnats, but the hoodie I had helped take care of the problem. I look forward to coming back here on our next trip.

No cell phone reception and that's a perfect opportunity for everyone to put their phones down and enjoy the nature. Brand new picnic tables, fire pits, lots of wood to fuel your fire. Trails are everywhere. In early November, they close the bathrooms for winter, however, there is a pit restroom and a clise by shopping center for a regular one.