Doyles River Falls Trailhead — Attraction in Grottoes

One of my favorites in Shenandoah. SO stunning with the waterfalls and walking along the river. We went when it was foggy and it was still so pretty. You can do roughly a 3+ mile or a 7+ mile hike (one way), depending on how you feel that day and your experience. The path is easier than some others in the park, but be prepared for an up and down trek. It’s less crowded during the week. I recommend going then because it’s a small parking lot and it gets full fast on the weekends. Also, definitely wear hiking boots or at least a really good pair of sneakers because it can get slippery if you get close to the water (you do have to cross the river...

What seems like an easy hike at first quickly devolves into a struggle. First, the GPS got the parking wrong. To avoid extra walking, park at the Doyle’s Run Trailhead instead of the overlook. It’s a small detail that seems obvious to most and depends if you enjoy the extra hike. Be sure to bring a change of clothes and a towel, as it gets very wet the further down you go. The falls themselves were beautiful and strikingly cold, even in July. The hardest part is the hike up, having to gain elevation the entire time. It’s an uphill battle but is very rewarding and nothing terribly difficult. The views are beautiful and there wasn’t many people,...

We thoroughly enjoyed this trail, and it was our first time hiking a mountain trail in the winter (December). After reading reviews and then hiking it ourselves, we'd have to agree with others: very tough on the way back (due to uphill hike), and the rocky terrain near the falls makes this a bit tough for beginners. With that being said, our 9-year-old daughter was able to hang tough for what took us 4 hours to complete (added time for picture-taking as well). Can't wait to come back another season when the foliage is thicker and the water level is higher. Maybe by then I'd upgrade our...