This 6.5 mile loop passes 3 waterfalls and many cascades along the trail. Doyles River hosts 2 falls, the 28′ Upper Falls and the 63′ Lower Falls. The Jones Run Falls is 42′ high and hikers can get quite close to the base. We completed this hike on a chilly day in December and were blessed with sparkly icicles near all of the water features.
- Trailhead Parking
- Doyles River and Jones Run Trail Loop
- Map and Details
- Shenandoah National Park South District
Trailhead Parking
The Browns Gap Parking Area is located at milepost 83 on Skyline Drive. Alternative parking areas include Jones Run Parking (milepost 84) and Doyles River Parking (milepost 81). The closest park entrance station is Rockfish Gap, at the southern most point of the park. Rockfish Gap Entrance Station is approximately 5 miles southeast of Waynesboro and 25 miles west of Charlottesville.
Doyles River and Jones Run Trail Loop
Doyles River Trail
From the Browns Gap Parking Area, cross Skyland Drive and join the Browns Gap Fire Road, a gentle downhill path. Walk 1.7 miles along this wide and relatively smooth trail, cross a short bridge and hook a right onto the Doyles River Trail. There is a trail marker at this intersection marking a left turn option to the Doyles River Falls Trailhead (milepost 81) and a straight-ahead option on the Browns Gap Turnpike leading to the park boundary.
Only .3 miles from the trail marker, the Upper Falls becomes visible. There is a short, steep, downhill path to the upper Upper Falls, where large boulders provide views of the beginning of the waterfall. Back on the trail for a short .2 mile jaunt, the full Upper Falls becomes visible. Another side trail leads to the base of the Doyle River Upper Falls, where large rocks and flat areas lend themselves to a leisurely break, especially in warm months. Because it was only 28 degrees, we did not linger too long. Note that at this point, the trail is narrow, rocky and winding downhill.
Jones Run Trail
Almost at the bottom of the decline, the trail crosses a bridge. It is located at mile 2.6 of the loop, and I stopped to enjoy the icicles hanging from a fallen log. The trail follows the river, so there is a peaceful sound of tinkling water. Mile 3 marks the lowest elevation of the loop, and a trail marker indicates the trail name change from Doyles River to Jones Run. The path crosses Jones Run .1 miles later. There are rocks to step on to get across the water, which was low in December. I suspect that the water is much higher after a rainy spring season, so be aware of that possibility.
The trail begins to climb toward Skyline Drive. Unlike the fire road on the descent, the Jones Run Trail is narrow and rocky. Frankly, I prefer this type of ascent because it is more like climbing steps. The hill grade averages 15%. For comparison, a typical staircase is 30-40%. From the bottom trail marker, it is .6 mile to the Jones Run waterfalls. The falls are 42′ high, pounding into a small pool that is surrounded by large flatish boulders. This is another great site for a warm weather stop. I climbed onto the rocks to get closer to the wall of icicles that bordered the falls. As I retreated toward the trail, I stepped onto black ice, fell and slid toward the icy water. Hooray for sturdy boots slamming into a massive boulder.
Appalachian Trail
Crisis averted, I said a silent prayer of thanks for continued dry clothing and boots and resumed the uphill trek. An .8 mile climb ends at the Appalachian Trail. Turn right to head northbound on the AT. This final mile is level and the trail provides easy walking back to the parking area. A trail marker indicates a side trail to the Dundo Picnic and Campgrounds. The picnic area is open all year, but there is not water or grills for cooking. The campgrounds are closed November – March/mid-April.
Doyles River and Jones Run Map and Details
Access my map on AllTrails by clicking the map image below.
| Hike difficulty classifications (link) | |
|---|---|
| Route type | Loop |
| Trail difficulty level | Moderate |
| Geographic location | Shenandoah National Park, South Section |
| Trailhead parking options | Browns Gap milepost 83 or Jones Run milepost 84.1 |
| Trail amenities | None. Restrooms available at Loft Mountain Wayside, milepost 79.5 |
| Elevation - trailhead | 2,583' |
| Elevation - highest peak | 2,767' |
| Elevation gain | 1,407' |
| Total mileage | 6.6 miles |
| Water sources | Doyles River and Jones Run; use a water filter |
| Highlights | Doyles River Falls and the 42' Jones Run Falls |
Shenandoah National Park’s South District
Shenandoah National Park encompasses 197,411 acres. Its byway, Skyline Drive, is the only road that runs the entire length of the park. Skyline Drive travels 105 undulating and curving miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, connecting the northern and southern entrance stations. Two additional entrance stations are located within the middle portion of the park, ultimately dividing Shenandoah National Park into 3 districts: North, Central and South.
The South District begins at the Swift Run Gap entrance, near Elkton, Virginia, and expands to the southern most entrance at Rockfish Gap, near Waynesboro. This district is the most rustic of the park, boasting 41.6% of all of the Shenandoah National Park’s designated wilderness acres. More than 33,000 acres is federal forest lands, permanently protected by the United States Wilderness Act of 1964.
This southern region, thanks to the large wilderness areas, includes more remote trails than in the Central and even the North sections. Unlike the other two districts, there is not a Visitor’s Center or indoor lodging. The Loft Mountain Campground, located at milepost 79 on Skyline Drive, is open May through October. Its camp store, Loft Mountain Wayside, sells groceries, camp supplies, souvenirs and clothing. And it has the only public bathroom in the southern district.
Check out other South District trails at the links below.
- Loft Mountain Area Hikes – National Park Service
- Turk Mountain Trail
