Dark Hollow Falls Trail at Shenandoah National Park

Are you looking for information about the Dark Hollow Falls Trail?

When researching waterfalls in Shenandoah National Park, Dark Hollow Falls will always be at the top of the list.

This waterfall trail is popular for many reasons. The Dark Hollow Falls trail is 1.4 miles long, making it attractive to novice and infrequent hikers.

It’s proximity to the Big Meadows Campground and Harry F. Byrd Visitor Center plays a large role in it’s popularity.

And, it’s features some beautiful waterfalls! And who doesn’t love a waterfall trail?

The Dark Hollow Falls trail was one of the first “real” hiking trails we did with the kids. Even though it’s very steep (440 feet of elevation change over less than a mile), it still is an awesome family-friendly trail in Shenandoah National Park.

The guide below shares everything you’ll need to know before you embark on this fun Shenandoah National Park waterfall trail. Let’s dive in!

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Keep Dark Hollow Falls Beautiful

Places like Dark Hollow Falls are popular with visitors, which can bring trash and other issues. We all need to do our part to keep our parks clean and enjoyable for all.

Remember to pack out all trash (including those fruit peels), and leave behind what you found. Leave no trace so we all can enjoy these parks for years to come!

Dark Hollow Falls Trail Location & Parking

The trailhead to Dark Hollow Falls is at mile 50.7 on Skyline Drive. Don’t forget to stop at some of the beautiful overlooks on your way to the trail!

Conveniently, the Harry F. Byrd Visitor Center and the Big Meadows Wayside are just south of the trailhead. Stop there first to use the bathrooms, and to stock up on any snacks or drinks you may want with you on the trail!

The Dark Hollow Falls parking area is dedicated to the trail. However, it is not a large parking lot and can fill up quickly during the summer months and the weekends. It’s especially popular with hikers from Washington, DC.

We arrived around 11 am, and the lot was more than half full. The earlier you can plan to visit, the better in this scenario.

Dark Hollow Falls Trail in Shenandoah

Trail Location: Mile 50.7 on Skyline Drive (near Big Meadows Campground)
Trail Length: 1.4-miles out-and-back
Trail Difficulty: Moderate due to steep grade on return to trailhead

Dark Hollow Falls Trail Difficulty

The total length of the Dark Hollow Falls hike is just shy of 1.5 miles, round trip. It took us about two hours to complete the hike, but we stopped for rest breaks and pictures, and then more rest breaks on the way back up again.

After researching this trail, the one thing that kept coming up is how steep the trail is. Well, let me tell you; it is steep! The elevation change is 440 feet over .7-miles.

The worst part about the trail is that it descends down to the waterfalls (like many waterfalls trails). That means after you have reached the bottom of the trail, you have to climb all the way back up.

Many novice hikers might find this steep grade difficult. But if you take your time, and rest when you need it, it shouldn’t be too hard.

Dark Hollow Falls Trail Condition

The trail itself is beautifully maintained and even has steps in some places. Some sticks and stones jut out from the earth, forming potential tripping hazards, but for the most part, the path is clear.

As one of the most popular trails in the Shenandoah Valley, the paths are worn down. After a rainfall, parts of the trail might be slippery, so keep that in mind when completing your hike.

The Waterfalls of Dark Hollow Falls

The name of this trail is not meant to mislead you. You will see many waterfalls on this hike. The most impressive one is about half-way to two-thirds down the trail. It is also the most crowded of the falls.

Everyone on the trail gathers here for photos, rests breaks, and on a hot day, to dip their toes in the water.

At this point, many visitors turned around went back to the trailhead. This would shorten the length of the hike to about 1 mile.

However, our advice is to complete the trail!

There are more falls below this one that are equally deserving of your attention. And, at least on our visit, they were less crowded. We only saw one other family while we were on the bottom portion of the trail.

Wildlife Spotting at Dark Hollow Falls

Keep your eyes peeled when you are on the Dark Hollow Falls trail! The residents of the park occasionally come out of hiding.

On our hike, we saw a snake, this cute millipede, and four black bears! You can kind of see the bear cub standing on its hind legs in the picture below.

Other Waterfall Trails Near Dark Hollow Falls

Rose River Falls is another beautiful waterfall trail in Shenandoah National Park. And you can easily connect it to the Dark Hollow Falls Trail to make a 5.5-mile long loop.

At the bottom of the Dark Hollow Falls Trail, cross the Rose River Fire Road and take the Rose River Loop Trail (blue blazes) to the 67-foot tall waterfall.

Continue on the trail until you reach the Skyland-Big Meadows Horse Trail (yellow-blazed). Stay left on the Rose River Fire Road and follow until you reach the bottom of the Dark Hollow Falls Trail and return back to the parking lot.

Be Prepared for the Dark Hollow Falls Trail

Shoes: Proper footwear is recommended on the Dark Hollow Falls trail. Sneakers with a good grip will be adequate. Avoid wearing flip flops or sandals.
Water Bottles: Even though this is a shorter hike in Shenandoah National Park, it’s steep grade will require lots of water, especially in the summer months.
Bug Spray and Sunscreen: Mosquitoes and gnats can be in full force, depending on the time of year. A good insect repellant will make the hike more pleasant.
Clothing: When hiking, you’ll want to dress in layers. Usually, it’s cooler in the mornings, but you’ll heat up as you walk along. Wearing t-shirts under light-weight zip-up sweatshirts is ideal in the spring and fall.
Bandages: Isn’t it inevitable that someone will fall and scrape a knee on a rock? It’s always good to have some bandages or even a small first aid kit on hand.
Backpack: To carry everything in. Need I say more? I prefer one with side pockets to hold the water bottles and a front pocket to hold the wipes and bandages. But you can use whatever you own.

Dark Hollow Falls Waterfall Trail Wrap Up

I hope you enjoy the Dark Hollow Falls trail as much as we did! It’s a great hike in the Shenandoah National Park for families and is beautiful anytime of year.

It’s a top attraction in Shenandoah Valley and would even make a great stop on a road trip through Virginia.

Here are some key takeaways before you head out on your hike:

The Dark Hollow Falls trail is in Shenandoah National Park. There is a fee to enter the park or you can use your National Park Pass.
Even though the trail is steep, it is still a kid-friendly trail. Our kids at ages 6 and 9 had no problems completing the trail. We even passed some younger kids along the way!
If you are doing this waterfall hike with kids, plan for at least two hours to complete the full 1.5 miles.
This is one of the more popular Shenandoah National Park hikes and can get crowded on the trail. Avoid visiting on the weekends in the summer, if possible.
When visiting on the weekend, arrive early to secure a parking spot at the trailhead.
As noted above, bathrooms and a general store can be found at the Big Meadows Wayside at the Harry F. Byrd visitor center, approximately .5 miles south of the trailhead.

Other Fun Things to Do Near Dark Hollow Falls

There are other great hikes nearby, that also make a great day trip hike from Washington, DC, like Mary’s Rocks and Old Rag.

For an easier walk to a beautiful view, you’ll have to leave Shenandoah National Park and check out the Massanutten Storybook Trail. It’s such a fun thing to do in Luray.

You can also visit one of the several caverns in the area, like the Shenandoah Caverns or Luray Caverns. Both are close to Shenandoah National Park.