5 Must Do Fall Shenandoah National Park Hikes
In our personal opinion, Shenandoah National Park is at its most beautiful during the Fall season. In Fall of 2022, we visited October 16th-18th but peak fall foliage can vary from year to year. Most years, peak colors happen in mid to late October. We do recommend visiting Shenandoah National Park on a weekday if possible because weekends can get very busy with limited parking along Skyline Drive. All of these hikes are under 2 miles and we were easily able to complete all hikes (and more) in 2 days in Shenandoah National Park.
Blackrock Summit
Easy 1 mile loop with a giant rock pile and sweeping panoramic views at the summit. This is a great option for all ages and experience levels because the views are amazing whether you decide to climb the rock pile or not. The rock pile itself has areas that are more worn and easier to climb so be vigilant to find the best route for you.
Bearfence Mountain
1 mile loop considered moderate on AllTrails. Be aware that there is some rock scrambling to get to the top. You definitely need to be more mobile and comfortable with heights if you decide to attempt this one. We found that this trail gave us the BEST 360 degree views at the top.
Dark Hollow Falls
The perfect autumn 1.5 mile moderate out & back trail to a breathtaking cascading waterfall. If you time it right for peak foliage, this hike is completely worth the hype. It is pretty steep for the hike back to the car, but if you pace yourself it isn’t too bad.
Stony Man Summit
1.5 mile out and back trail that is generally considered moderately challenging with beautiful valley views. The first half of the trail to get to the viewpoint is all uphill. It is the second highest peak in the park. Also, this is the perfect place to watch sunset as it is a westward facing overlook.
Hawksbill Summit
1.6 mile out & back trail considered moderate due to steep elevation gains at times. The way there is more of an incline than expected without switchbacks which may be challenging for some. There is a small building and picnic table at the top. Make sure you go past the little cabin in order to see more sweeping views of the valley. The summit is the highest point in Shenandoah National Park.
If you are planning more time in Shenandoah National Park, other hikes to consider include Mary’s Rock, Old Rag Mountain (must have a day-use ticket in advance), Sugarloaf & Hogback Mountain, Rose River Loop, White Oak Canyon, etc.. Downloading offline maps on AllTrails did save us a few times as there are often paths that diverge and connect with other trails in Shenandoah National Park. Overall, Shenandoah National Park is very popular in the Fall, but we do think it is well worth the visit. Honestly, the beauty of peak foliage is unparalleled to visiting Shenandoah in any other time of year.
