Want to take a hike to beautiful waterfalls in Virginia? Yeah, I figured you would! Located in Shenandoah National Park are the Jones Run Falls and Doyles River Falls. The latter is made up of two portions – an upper and lower falls. Although not the biggest waterfalls in Virginia, they’re still worth seeing, especially during the spring when waterfalls are much bigger. Add Jones Run and Doyles River Loop to your hiking bucket list!
Table of Contents
Know Before You Go
Shenandoah National Park – Entrance Fee
Entrance into Shenandoah National Park is $30 per vehicle for a 7-day pass. If you have the Annual Park Pass (America the Beautiful Pass) then you get in for free. If you don’t have an Annual Pass and you visit National Parks frequently, we highly recommend making the purchase. It costs $80 but totally worth it!
Leave No Trace
Before you go, please make sure you understand the Leave No Trace principles. These seven principles help reduce our environmental impact from outdoor recreational activities. Nature is meant to be enjoyed and respected. 🌱
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of others
About the Trail
Jones Run and Doyles River Loop
Location: This hike is located within Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.
Length & Elevation Gain: It’s about 6.5 miles with an elevation gain of 1,875 feet.
Hiking Time: It takes an average of 3 to 5 hours to complete this hike.
Route Type: This is a loop trail.
Difficulty Rating: Moderate to hard depending on fitness level.
Terrain: This trail consists of dirt, rocks, grassy fire road, and a few stream crossings.
Pet-friendly? Yes! Your furry friend must be a on leash.
How to Get to the Trailhead
This hike to Jones Run and Doyles River Falls is located in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Parking for the trailhead is located at Browns Gap Parking at mile marker 83.
Put this address in Google maps: Browns Gap Parking, Grottoes, VA 24441
QUICK TIP!! The parking lot at Browns Gap is quite small! A few tips to increase your chances of snagging a parking spot: get there early; go on a weekday; and go during the off-season (as in avoid summer and peak-leaf changing time). Or try parking at the Jones Run parking lot 1 mile down from Browns Gap.
READ THIS: 15 Ways to Avoid Crowds in the Great Outdoors
Trail Directions
There are different ways you can hike to three beautiful waterfalls known as the Jones Run and Doyles River Loop as you may have read above. I chose to begin at Browns Gap Parking. I also chose to take the loop trail counterclockwise. No reason really. From the other articles I read about this hike, many people recommended to hike this loop clockwise. Whatever floats your boat!
From the parking lot of Browns Gap, you will cross Skyline Drive to reach the Appalachian Trail. Take this trail south following the white blazes (trail markers) to reach the Jones Run trail where you will start following the blue blazes.
From Jones Run Parking to Jones Run Falls was about 1.6 miles of hiking. But before reaching Jones Run Falls, you will see a smaller yet beautiful unnamed waterfall.
Jones Run Falls is just a short distance further. It is a 42-foot waterfall and absolutely gorgeous! This waterfall would be even better in the springtime when the waterflow is greater.
Continue hiking along the Jones Run trail for a short distance. You’ll cross over the Jones Run stream then merge onto Doyles River trail. Along this trail you’ll see two portions of the Doyles River Falls. The first one you’ll get to is the Lower Falls (63 feet tall) then shortly after that will be the Upper Falls (28 feet tall).
Continue hiking past the Doyles River Falls and you’ll reach an intersection on the trail. Take a left onto the Browns Gap Fire Road where you will follow the yellow blazes. This will lead you back to the Browns Gap Parking.
Congrats, you did it! 🥳
Alternate Routes
There are a few other ways you can hike to the three waterfalls. If one parking lot is full, you can always find another one to begin your hike. You can also hike a slightly bigger loop if longer trails are your thing!
Loop alternative #1: begin at Jones Run parking lot located at mile marker 84.1. May go clockwise or counterclockwise. The hike is a 6.5-mile loop trail. Rated as a moderate to hard hike.
Loop alternative #2: begin at Doyles River Parking located a mile marker 81.1. Follow Doyles River trail onto Jones Run trail then merge onto the Appalachian Trail for a 7.8 mile-loop trail. Rated as a moderate to hard hike.
If you don’t want to do an entire loop trail, that’s fine! You can check out each waterfall separately rather than all at one time. And it can be done as a shorter out-and-back trail to either Doyles-River Falls or Jones Run Falls.
1. Jones Run Falls: begin at mile marker 84.1 (Jones Run Parking) and follow the Jones Run trail to the Jones Run Falls and back to parking lot for a 3.2 miles round-trip hike. May take about 2-2.5 hours to complete with 1,045 feet of elevation gain.
2. Doyles River Falls: begin at mile marker 81.1 (Doyles River Parking) and follow the Doyles River trail to Doyles River Upper & Lower Falls and back to parking lot for a 3.3 miles round-trip hike. May take about 2-2.5 hours to complete with 1,189 feet of elevation gain.
I hiked this trail (solo) on April 16th, 2022. I wrote a blog post about my personal experience! Interested in reading Our Adventure Journal post about hiking the Jones Run and Doyles River Loop trail??
I Vlogged My Experience!
More Great Waterfall Hikes in Virginia
Rose River Falls and Dark Hollow Falls – This popular loop trail, located in Shenandoah National Park, will take you to see both waterfalls with one being 67 feet tall and the other being 70 feet tall!
Cedar Run-Whiteoak Canyon Loop – See 8 beautiful waterfalls on this 8-mile hike. It is absolutely worth every step! This is probably the best waterfall hike in Virginia… in my personal opinion.
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