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Black Diamond Spot 400-Rrechargeable, comfortableCheck price on Amazon →Overall Run Falls is the tallest waterfall in Shenandoah National Park at 93 feet, and it demands a full day of work to reach. The 6.5-mile round trip from Mathews Arm at Mile 22.2 drops 2,000 feet to the falls and then climbs every foot of that back out. This is not the hike to add on after a morning of driving Skyline Drive. It’s the whole day.
The trail starts at the Mathews Arm campground area and descends steadily through open hardwood forest with occasional views west over the Shenandoah Valley. The trail gets rockier as you lose elevation and the switchbacks in the final half mile are steep. At the falls there’s a viewing area with a straight-on look at the main drop — 93 feet freefalling over a broad basalt ledge into a pool at the base of the gorge. The surrounding cliffs are dramatic. What nobody tells you: Overall Run dries up by late June most years. The falls exist at full power from snowmelt in early spring through around Memorial Day, and after that they taper fast. Come in April or May or come prepared for disappointment.
Strenuous. The distance is manageable — 6.5 miles round trip — but the 2,000 feet of climbing on the return is relentless. You’re coming out of a steep hollow on a rocky trail with no flat sections to recover. This is the most physically demanding of the SNP waterfall hikes on this list. Experienced hikers will find it hard but straightforward. Less experienced hikers should do a shorter SNP waterfall first and work up to this one.
April through late May only. Overall Run gets its volume from snowpack and spring rain — by June it’s usually a trickle and by July there’s nothing to see. This is a spring-only hike if your goal is the falls at full volume. The views west from the upper trail are year-round, and the fall color in the Mathews Arm area is good in mid-October, but the falls themselves won’t be worth the effort outside of spring.
Mathews Arm Campground area at Mile 22.2 on Skyline Drive in the northern district, about 2 hours from DC via I-66 and US-340. The trailhead parking is near the campground entrance. Mathews Arm Campground operates seasonally (typically May through October) and has restrooms when open. Park entrance fee applies ($35/vehicle weekly). No cell service. Luray is 10 miles west via US-211 for food and gas. Carry plenty of water — the descent is gradual but long, and the climb out in spring heat will drain you faster than you expect.
LOWA Renegade EVO GTX MidGORE-TEX, 3 widths, resolableCheck price on Amazon →Hydro Flask Wide Mouth 32ozinsulated, durableCheck price on Amazon →Osprey Talon 22ventilated back, pole carryCheck price on Amazon →Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight Watertight .7day-hike specific, waterproofCheck price on Amazon →Black Diamond Spot 400-Rrechargeable, comfortableCheck price on Amazon →
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Jacketdurable, trail + everydayCheck price on Amazon →
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