Waterfall of the Robinson River in White Oak Canyon, Madison County, Virginia.
ForestWander · CC BY-SA 3.0 US

Upper Whiteoak Falls from Skyline Drive

Down into Whiteoak Canyon from the top, to a ledge facing the upper falls.

Stays on the map
Distance
4.6 mi
round trip
Elevation gain
1,040 ft
Hiking time
3 hr 30 min
NPS estimate, no breaks
Difficulty
Moderate
NPS scale

From the Skyline Drive lot at mile 42.6, the Whiteoak Canyon Trail descends past the Old Rag Fire Road and Limberlost junctions. About 2.3 miles in, a rocky ledge looks across to the upper falls. The climb back out is the hard part.

The top of the canyon and the bottom are a long drive apart. From Syria the lower lot is under 20 minutes away and this upper lot is more than an hour.

Dogs allowed on a leash

Leash no longer than 6 feet at all times. NPS pet rules

Park entrance pass only

$30 per vehicle, good for 7 days, or an annual pass. NPS fees

Highlights

  • Ledge facing the upper falls
  • Starts on Skyline Drive
  • Dogs allowed on leash

Before you go

  • Save energy for the climb back to Skyline Drive.

Where to stay, by the drive

Rank on the map

Ordered by drive time to the parking area, then by how close the stay is to this area and how complete and current its listing is. How ranking works.

Exterior of the Skyland dining room and taproom.
Unclaimed

Skyland

Lodge rooms and cabins inside the park · Skyline Drive, mile 41.7

3min drive

0.6 mi by road · 0.5 mi straight

Exterior of Big Meadows Lodge.
Unclaimed

Big Meadows Lodge

Lodge rooms and cabins inside the park · Skyline Drive, mile 51

24min drive

9.8 mi by road · 5 mi straight

Sunrise over Big Meadows.
Unclaimed

Big Meadows Campground

National park campground (reservation only) · Skyline Drive, mile 51

24min drive

9.6 mi by road · 4.9 mi straight

Moss phlox on the rocks at Crescent Rock Overlook in spring.
Unclaimed

Lewis Mountain Cabins

Rustic cabins inside the park · Skyline Drive, mile 57.5

33min drive

15 mi by road · 11.4 mi straight

Main Street in Sperryville, Virginia, in October.
Unclaimed

Hopkins Ordinary

Bed and breakfast with a brewery · Sperryville

39min drive

18.5 mi by road · 9.8 mi straight

2 more beyond 60 minutes
Fields toward the Blue Ridge from Route 231 near Etlan, Madison County.
Unclaimed Some pet-friendly units

Graves Mountain Farm & Lodges

Lodge rooms, cabins, farmhouses and campground · Syria

1 hr 11 mindrive

38 mi by road · 7.4 mi straight

Panorama across a field toward Old Rag from Route 231 near Etlan.
Host verified Dogs welcome

Birch's Library

Cabin, 1865 homestead · Syria

1 hr 27 mindrive

37.6 mi by road · 3.8 mi straight

Sources

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