Take a hike to two amazing waterfalls known as Rose River Falls and Dark Hollow Falls located in Shenandoah National Park. This popular loop trail will take you to see both waterfalls with one being 67 feet tall and the other being 70 feet tall! It’s a nice, yet somewhat challenging hike in nature. You won’t regret it!
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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
Rose River Loop Trail to Rose River Falls & Dark Hollow Falls
Location: This hike is located within Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.
Length & Elevation Gain: It’s about 4.5 miles with an elevation gain of 1,000 feet.
Hiking Time: It takes an average of 2.5 to 3 hours to complete this hike.
Route Type: This is a loop trail with a small out-and-back section.
Difficulty Rating: Easy to moderate depending on fitness level.
Terrain: This trail has dirt and gravel/rocks. The Dark Hollow Falls section has many steps.
Pet-friendly? Yes (on a leash), only on the Rose River Falls Trail. Pets are NOT allowed on the Dark Hollow Falls Trail.
How to Get to the Trailhead
The trailhead is located at the Fishers Gap Parking at mile marker 49.4 in Shenandoah National Park.
Put this address in Google maps: Fishers Gap, Virginia 22743
Trail Directions
For our little family hike, we decided to hike the Rose River Loop Trail starting at Fishers Gap to see Rose River Falls, and we decided (at last minute) to hike the extra little bit of mileage to see Dark Hollow Falls. Personally, we went clockwise. But you can go counterclockwise if you want.
One benefit of going clockwise is that you will get the rocky, tougher portion of the trail out of the way then finish the loop off on an easier, less rocky fire road. Um… did I just create a new ice cream flavor name? Forget rocky road! How about rocky FIRE road!!
Okay, enough about ice cream, let’s take a hike. From Fishers Gap Parking, cross Skyline Drive and start on the blue-blazed Rose River Loop Trail. You will first reach the 67-foot waterfall – Rose River Falls. Continue on the trail until you get to an intersection.
What’s better than a hike to one amazing waterfall? A hike to TWO amazing waterfalls! At the intersection, take a left and hike an extra 0.25 miles to reach the base of Dark Hollow Falls. You can hike further to the top of the waterfall but honestly not really worth it. The base of the waterfall has the best views but also the most people.
Retrace your steps on Dark Hollow Falls trail back to the intersection and merge onto the Rose River Fire Road. Continue hiking for one more mile until you reach Fishers Gap Parking.
Congrats, you did it! 🥳
Alternate Routes
There are a few other options if you want to either do an out-and-back trail or a bigger loop trail. To start either one of these alternate hikes, you can park at Dark Hollow Falls Parking located at mile marker 50.7.
Out-and-back alternative: I’ll be honest, I’m not sure how far this route would be. I had difficulty finding a source that had the answer. But seems like a doable hike if you prefer out-and-back trails over loop trails. Plus, you still get to see both waterfalls! Just start from Dark Hollow Falls Parking, follow the Dark Hollow Falls trail. After gazing at the beautiful Dark Hollow Falls, continue onto Rose River Loop Trail until you reach Rose River Falls. After more gazing, retrace your steps back to the parking lot.
Bigger loop alternative: Many of the sources I read about this route suggested going clockwise, so that’s the route I’ll explain here. Starting at Dark Hollow Falls Parking, follow Dark Hollow Falls trail to the first waterfall (Dark Hollow Falls). Continue onto the Rose River Fire Road then take a right at the intersection to get onto Rose River Loop Trail. You’ll soon get to the second waterfall, Rose River Falls. Continue on Rose River Loop Trail back to Dark Hollow Falls trail and return back to the parking lot. This will be about a 5.5-mile loop with 1,450 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty rating is moderate to hard (depending on fitness level).
My parents and I hiked this trail on May 9th, 2022. I wrote a blog post about our personal experience! Interested in reading Our Adventure Journal post about hiking to Rose River Falls & Dark Hollow Falls??
We Vlogged Our Experience! Watch below!
More Great Waterfall Hikes in Virginia
Jones Run-Doyles River Loop – Take a hike to three of the most beautiful waterfalls in Virginia! Located in Shenandoah National Park is the Jones Run Falls and Doyles River Falls (upper & lower falls).
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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