North Fork Moormans River is a 4.8 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Crozet, Virginia that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Shenandoah National Park charges a fee to enter. Fees are per vehicle or per motorcycle. If you are entering on foot, horse, or bike the fee is per person. You can also purchase a park-specific annual pass. Please check with the park for current rates.
April 22, 2021Not sure what I did as the GPS for this trail took us to an SNP parking lot, not the Charlottesville Resevoir in Crozet. We hiked down to the falls, which were beautiful, and back to the parking lot; a 5.2 out and back. Most of the hike was on an old fire or logging road. We forded 4 creeks which were not too high and crossed them w/o water shoes. We also passed remnants of a settler’s stone dwelling and a stone wall. Overall a very nice hike on EARTH DAY!
April 6, 2021Started out clockwise from the parking lot off the Skyline Drive and immediately hit the AT. The Ridgerunners must have recently been through because the trail looked immaculate. Great job guys! The AT section was super dry, no water crossings or even a small stream for about 8 miles so be ready with water. After the trail spur I crossed the valley floor via the North Fork Moormons River Road and the trail became a fire road. As the name suggests you pick up the Moormon at this stage don’t have too many crossings until you turn right onto the North Fork Moorman River Trail. This stretch has multiple River crossings so be ready with the water shoes. There are some truly spectacular waterfalls and cascades along this part and it’s always nice to walk along a river. You will also pass the Sugar Hollow Reservoir if your interested in taking a side trail to explore it. Be aware of the private property along here. The signs warns to stay in the trail, which isn’t difficult given the barbed wire fence along both sides. Once you’re back in the Shenandoah National Park you’ll start a significant assent of approx 4 miles back to the parking lot. I love this whole area and this trail didn’t disappoint. Camping sights are sparse but visible, plenty of places to stealth camp though. There are a ton of swimming holes along the river and if it was later in the year I might have been tempted, it was pretty chilly in that water. I saw lots of kids not so inhibited.
March 10, 2021March 7, 2021Water was cold but not running so high it was difficult to walk through the river crossings.
February 12, 2021At 1 mile in you have to cross the creek and it was too high for us. I could have made it across a tree trunk but it was too narrow for my pup and I couldn’t imagine carrying him across a tree trunk. If you had waders you could easily walk across. Otherwise the hike was really pretty
January 24, 2021Completed 1-23-21 on a cold sunny day. River was low enough to rock hop the crossings without getting our feet wet. An hour out and and our back at a moderate pace. Great trail. Lots of COVID fearing maskers.
January 13, 2021Too muddy for me. Made the dogs anxious and didn’t work out for us , but others were trail running. Water crossings were high.
January 9, 2021Awesome hike with amazing views. Be prepared to get wet along the three creek crossings.
December 28, 2020River was a little too high to cross and very icy for the dogs. Would come again on a nicer day!
December 11, 2020November 30, 2020November 28, 2020Great for all skill levels. Several creek crossings. The waterfall was nice.
November 14, 2020November 4, 2020One of our favorite hikes ever! We went November 3rd. The water at each river crossing was about to our knees. Glad we wore sport sandals. GPS initially took us the wrong way. If you're looking for a street name... Sugar Hollow Road. House #6612 is about 2 miles from the parking area.
October 31, 2020Went the day after a rain in late October and had to turn back at the first river crossing as it was too deep to be crossable, even in water shoes.
October 25, 2020Easy hike for most people - just wear keens or similar type shoe. The first swimming hole is .9 but if you want to see the falls you will need to go farther. If you want to avoid crowds and let kids swim - walk to falls to get in the hike and see the falls, then come back and before you get to the “larger” first swimming hole there will be some small areas along the trail to get into the river and allow kids to swim with less crowds. My kids really enjoy this area!
October 24, 2020A beautiful trail!!! Be prepared to get your feet wet in river crossings - there are 3 before you reach the waterfall. Very easy and picturesque.
October 18, 2020October 17, 2020Expect stream crossings in mid-calf deep water. Don’t be like us and assume you’ll stay dry!
October 4, 2020Great hike that offers a little bit of everything. Several river crossings, short steep sections if you want to run up and over for extra work, steps and even a short scramble over a slick rock just below the steps to the fall. If you want more distance, turn right below the falls, cross the river and you have 4 miles to the App Trail.
October 3, 2020Loved this trail. Must have water shoes!
September 28, 2020September 27, 2020Yep, WATER SHOES. Also it was packed with about 70% no maskers that glared at us just for wearing masks. Not cool. Good for families.
September 26, 2020September 19, 2020September 5, 2020Bring water shoes and come very early! Absolutely beautiful!!
September 4, 2020August 26, 2020The posted trail here is only the beginning. It is well worth walking a full 2 miles (each way) to see a beautiful 30 foot waterfall and swimming hole. Packed a lunch and spent a few hours there. Well worth it.
