Parking
Doyles River Parking Area on Skyline Drive at mile 81.1; follow the blue-blazed Doyles River Trail from the lot.
Overview
About Doyles River Falls Hike
Why go
- Two named waterfalls on one forested route
- A clear out-and-back from Skyline Drive
Heads up
- The downhill walk becomes a strenuous climb back
- Rocky footing and a stream crossing add effort
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Shenandoah map
Full mapElevation2,083–2,877 ft
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
2 active Shenandoah alerts
- ClosureOld Rag Trailhead main lot closedThe Old Rag Trailhead main parking lot is closed to vehicles and pedestrians for infrastructure improvements; use the existing overflow lots. - Work is expected to be completed by November 2026.Official details
- ClosureBackcountry camping and zone closuresBackcountry camping is prohibited on the Appalachian Trail from Lewis Mountain to Big Meadows, and the Naked Creek backcountry zone is closed.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Shenandoah Tour Guide
Your drive to Doyles River Falls Hike, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Shenandoah National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Shenandoah audio tourRecorded for this trailhead
Doyles River Falls: Make Time for Both0:00 / 0:24
“Doyles River's trailhead is coming up, with a hike to two waterfalls stepping down dark rock ledges.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Shenandoah Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Doyles River Overlook: Browns Cove and Mount Fair
- Loft Mountain Campground: Nights on Big Flat Mountain
- Loft Mountain Wayside: Milkshakes and a Short Hike
- Browns Gap: The Long Walk to Lewis Peak
- 146 audio storiesacross Shenandoah’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Black Bear, Bald Eagle, White-tailed Deer, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 163 trails, 142 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Doyles River Falls Hike
Two waterfalls, and a climb backDoyles River Falls Hike is a 3.
Doyles River Falls Hike is a 3.3-mile out-and-back from Doyles River Parking Area to Upper and Lower Doyles River Falls, then back the same way. The blue-blazed Doyles River Trail drops from Skyline Drive to the stream and its two named cascades. It’s a good choice if you want a proper waterfall walk; the easier downhill half leaves a steady climb for the way back. Plan on two to three hours with stops.
The 3.3-mile figure is the round trip to Lower Falls and back. Continue south toward the Jones Run Trail crossing and you’re on a longer route, not this standard waterfall hike.
Down through the woodsFrom the parking area, cross the Appalachian Trail and follow the blue blazes downhill.
From the parking area, cross the Appalachian Trail and follow the blue blazes downhill. The path descends through forest before reaching Doyles River and staying near the water for the falls section. There’s a stream crossing on the way down; the stones described as stepping points may be harder to use when the water is up. The trail is uneven and rocky near the cascades, with steps in places.
Upper, then Lower FallsUpper Falls comes first, followed by Lower Falls farther along the same trail.
Upper Falls comes first, followed by Lower Falls farther along the same trail. They’re different stops, so don’t turn around after the first cascade. Water volume varies, and the falls can run low. At Upper Falls, a wider view shows how the water drops over several rock ledges; include the rock walls and fallen trunks in the frame instead of cropping down to white water.
A cabin spur near the startA short, steep spur near the beginning leads to Doyles River Cabin.
A short, steep spur near the beginning leads to Doyles River Cabin. The primitive one-room cabin was built in 1936 by Civilian Conservation Corps artisans and overlooks Cedar Mountain and Via Gap. Allow about 0.2 mile extra round trip if you take the spur; it isn’t part of the 3.3-mile waterfall route.
What the effort feels likeThe park rates the hike moderate and lists 1,189 feet of elevation gain.
The park rates the hike moderate and lists 1,189 feet of elevation gain. Most of the descent comes first, so it’s easy to feel fresh at the falls and underestimate the return. Expect the climb back to take more effort than the walk down, especially over the rocky stretches. Give the stream crossing time and choose each step carefully.
Parking, fees, and dogsStart at Doyles River Parking Area on Skyline Drive at mile 81.1.
Start at Doyles River Parking Area on Skyline Drive at mile 81.1. A park entrance fee applies; the hike has no separate activity fee or reservation requirement. Dogs may come on a leash no longer than six feet.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Shenandoah
325 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
21 sightingsBald EagleMost seen around 10 AMSighting map
1,036 sightingsWhite-tailed DeerMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
167 sightingsWild TurkeyMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
93 sightingsTimber RattlesnakeMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
24 sightingsCoyoteMost seen around 6 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Shenandoah. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
