Lands Run Falls Hike

Lands Run Falls Hike is a 1.3-mile out-and-back from Lands Run Parking Area on Skyline Drive at mile 9.2. Follow the gravel fire road downhill about 0.6 mile to Lands Run, then take a short approach beside the stream to the top of the falls and return the same way. Allow about 1.5 hours. It is one of Shenandoah’s easier waterfall walks, with about 325 feet of elevation change, but the final approach is much rougher than the road.

The broad road is easy to follow, with a stone bench near the start and a large rock pile farther down. Keep going to the twin culverts where Lands Run passes under the road; an earlier side path before the crossing does not lead to the falls view. The waterfall is hidden from the road, so the stream crossing is the landmark to watch for.

From the culverts, follow the stream a short distance on the right to the top of the cascade. The falls descend into a gorge in a series of drops, but you reach the top rather than walking along their base. The path beside the water is steep and rocky, and wet stones can be slick. Lands Run is intermittent, so the cascade can be small or dry during dry spells. The first reachable drop makes the clearest view; stay on firm ground rather than scrambling down the rock face. Avoid the stream crossing in icy or flooding conditions.

Start at Lands Run Parking Area on Skyline Drive; an entrance fee is required for Shenandoah National Park. Dogs are allowed on a physical leash no longer than six feet. Cell and GPS service are unreliable in this area, so know the road and turnaround point before leaving the parking area.