Hiking Project Logo
Climb
MTB
Hike
Trailrun
Ski

Jones Run Trail

Intermediate Intermediate
 4.7 (9)
  1. Areas
  2. VA
  3. …Shenandoah Valley
  4. …Shenandoah National Park
  5. South District
Explore in 3D
Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Previous Next

“A moderate hike on a good trail to an attractive waterfall. ”

Larry W Brown
Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Google Map
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

2.5

Miles

4.0

KM

Point to Point

2,814' 858 m

High

1,580' 482 m

Low

0' 0 m

Up

1,233' 376 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

24%

Max Grade (14°)

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Family Friendly Short and relatively moderate, youngsters will enjoy heading out to this great waterfall.

Description

This gentle to moderate descent leads visitors through a bit of natural history. Since the area that is now Shenandoah National Park used to be pasture land, visitors will be able to descend through young forests, cross creeks and enjoy this shady trail on their way to the falls.

The Appalachian Trail (AT) crosses the Jones Run Trail just a few yards from its start. Cross the AT and, after about half a mile, cross Jones Run. The trail follows an old road trace for another third of a mile, then swings left and continues downhill through a very young forest that was a pasture when the park was created. After joining the stream on your left, continue another 0.2 mile to the head of the falls.

The trail swings sharp right, then makes a switchback to the left and returns to the base of the falls where there is a concrete marker post. Jones Run drops about 42 feet over a nearly vertical cliff that crosses the gorge and continues for a distance down the left bank of the stream. Where the cliff is watered by spray from the falls, it's covered with a great variety of mosses and flowering plants.

Return by the way you came, or you can opt to access the Doyles River Trail.

Thanks to Larry W. Brown, for sharing this trail description. If you’re interested in learning more details about great hikes, weather, camping / lodging, wildlife, and scenic drives, check out the comprehensive Guide to Shenandoah National Park.

Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Shenandoah National Park

Shared By:

Larry W Brown with improvements by Slavin Rose
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 9 votes

#2

in South District

#1100

Overall
  4.7 from 9 votes
5 Star
67%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#2

in South District

#19

in Virginia

#1,100

Overall
3 Views Last Month
3,468 Since Dec 1, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate
0%
0%
88%
0%
13%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Jones Run Falls
Mar 19, 2016 near Grottoes, VA
Jones Run Falls
May 14, 2018 near Grottoes, VA
One of many stunning waterfalls.
Oct 2, 2018 near Grottoes, VA
Jones Run Falls.
Jan 22, 2016 near Grottoes, VA
Jones Run Falls
Mar 20, 2016 near Grottoes, VA
Jones Run Trail.
Mar 25, 2016 near Grottoes, VA

0 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Sep 4, 2023
Eileen Fortuna
Falls dry this time of year. Easy hike downhill, moderate hike back uphill. 3.2mi
Aug 26, 2023
Jeremy K
Easy downhill from parking lot. We continued on through Doyle's River Falls trail to make the loop but this was the first segment. 2.5mi — 0h 50m
Oct 24, 2021
Vicki McCarthy
Jul 14, 2021
caroline storz
beautiful hike. dry trail. the falls were not as strong as there has not been much rain. but very pretty. 4mi — 1h 53m
Jun 28, 2021
Private User
May 17, 2021
Mariah Castor
Sep 20, 2020
Chris Kistler
2mi — 1h 17m
Sep 11, 2020
Private User

Nearby Recommended Routes

Welcome

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started