Jones Run Falls
Albemarle County, Virginia
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- 42 ft (12.8 m)
- Location
- Albemarle County, Virginia
- Access status
- National park trail from a Skyline Drive parking area; entrance fee
- The walk
- 3.2-mile round trip, per the NPS
- Ground & access
- Descending forest trail with one stream crossing; the return climbs about 1,045 feet. The NPS says the trail does not meet ADA accessibility guidelines.
Jones Run Falls is a 42-foot waterfall on Jones Run in the South District of Shenandoah National Park. From the trailhead at the front of the Jones Run Parking Area, cross the Appalachian Trail and follow the blue-blazed Jones Run Trail downhill through the forest. The trail crosses Jones Run once, then follows the stream past cascades to a switchback and the falls. Return the same way; the return is uphill. The Jones Run Trail continues down to the Doyles River, and a longer NPS circuit from Browns Gap links Jones Run Falls with the Doyles River falls.
Plan your visit
Jones Run Parking Area at Skyline Drive mile 84.1, across the Appalachian Trail and down the blue-blazed Jones Run Trail to the falls
The NPS gives the Jones Run Falls hike as a 3.2-mile round trip with 1,045 feet of elevation gain. Go Hike Virginia reached the main falls at its 1.9-mile mark.
Descending forest trail with one stream crossing; the return climbs about 1,045 feet. The NPS says the trail does not meet ADA accessibility guidelines.
Where to start
Jones Run Parking Area on Skyline Drive at mile 84.1; Go Hike Virginia says there is room for at least a dozen cars.
Timing & water
The NPS lists the hike as open year round. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
Before you go
A Shenandoah National Park entrance fee is required: $30 per private vehicle, valid for seven consecutive days. The NPS lists no separate activity fee and no reservation for this hike.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Lower Doyles River FallsNational park trail from a Skyline Drive parking area; entrance fee62 ft (19 m) · Albemarle County, VA1.0 miNE
- Upper Doyles River FallsGuide: park trail down to the upper falls28 ft (8.5 m) · Albemarle County, VA1.1 miNE
- Cedar FallsRockingham County, VA14 miNE
- Dry Run FallsFire road walk to a view of the falls; exact viewpoint not described; off-trail to the streamRockingham County, VA15 miNE
- South River FallsOfficial park trail to an observation point; entrance fee89 ft (27 m) · Greene County, VA15 miNE
- Big Creek Falls151 ft (46 m) · Page County, VA20 miNE
- Upper Big Creek Falls33 ft (10 m) · Page County, VA20 miNE
- Naked Creek FallsPartial guide: off-trail creek descent; exact drop not confirmedPage County, VA23 miNE
- Upper Shamokin FallsShort loop on Wintergreen trails, stated open to the publicAugusta County, VA24 miSW