Trail Review: Rose River Falls and Dark Hollow Falls, Shenandoah National Park
Parking: There is free parking across the street from the trailhead. Shenandoah National Park does require a park pass. The Shenandoah park pass is $30 and more information can be found HERE.
Distance: 4.0 miles loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Want to see two different waterfalls on the same hike (actually, there are a lot more than two)? Then the Rose River Falls and Dark Hollow Falls path is for you!
On the west side of Skyline Drive, across from the trailhead, there are two parking areas that can be used for this hike. We parked along the semi-circle area which also has a sign for Fisher's Gap Overlook. There were only maybe two or three other cars there when we parked.
After carefully crossing the street at the crosswalk, you'll head down a dirt path and around a chain keeping vehicles out. A few steps after that and you'll be at an intersection already. To do this loop clockwise (which is what I'd recommend), you'll take the lefthand trail.
For about a mile, the path will descend and lose about 600 feet in elevation as you make your way to the river. It's a very shady, covered path (at least in the Spring and Summer) with all of the trees around so you won't be in the hot sun. There is one other intersection that you'll come upon but just stick to the wider, righthand path.
After the first mile, the path starts to parallel the river. You'll get to see some little waterfalls along the way and there are a few spots you can even go right up to the edge of the river. The path will start to incline at a certain point but you'll soon see the larger Rose River Falls on your left. We climbed down the rocks next to the path to get a better view, but even if you stay on the path, you'll get a good look at the 67 foot waterfall.
After taking in the view, keep on going down the path as it parallels the river. There will be some ups and downs, but nothing too difficult. It was also pretty muddy in spots because of the path's proximity to the water (and recent weather).
The trail will deviate from the river for a short period of time but then it'll start to parallel the Hogcamp Branch of the river. Here, the path will criss cross over the water a few times, with at least one bridge to help you along.
The trail will be going uphill at this point and it's about a mile of following the river until you reach a major intersection. Be sure to enjoy the mini waterfalls on the way!
At the intersection will actually be a bridge with a fairly large waterfall. We thought this waterfall was Dark Hollow Falls at first. It's pretty substantial! However, someone soon told us this was just an unnamed waterfall.
Dark Hollow Falls is actually up a whole bunch of stairs on a steep trail that winds up to the right of this unnamed waterfall and to the left of the small cement post. The post actually points you in the correct direction if you look closely.
It's a 0.2 mile trek up the hill to Dark Hollows but once you get there you'll know why it was a great decision to make the journey. The falls are beautiful. This waterfall though is also easily accessible from a shorter trail off Skyline Drive so there will be a lot of people here. There were at least 15-20 people while we were there.
You can get right up close to the falls with this one. It's quite breathtaking. However, you might have to wait your turn depending on how many people there are.
Once you've sufficiently taken in the view, head back down the trail you came up on. At the bottom, take the other path to the right of the cement post. This is Rose River Fire Road which will complete the loop and take you back to the parking lot.
This last leg is about a mile on a fairly flat, wide trail. On the way, you'll pass a turn off for the "Cave Cemetery" which we didn't take but I have since read that it is a small family cemetery from before the National Park was established.
You'll soon be back at the initial trail intersection by the trailhead! Just head back around the vehicle chain and cross the road back to the parking lot!
Bottom Line: A great waterfall hike in Shenandoah National Park. Lots of shade and lots of waterfalls (at least in the spring).
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