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Explore Doyles River Cabin, one of the six cabins operated by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club in Shenandoah National Park. Built in 1936 in the South District, Doyles River Cabin is available to rent year-round.
Ways to Explore
Tour Transcript with Photo DescriptionsThe idea for a trail along the Appalachian Mountain Range was first shared in the Journal of the American Institute of Architects. In an article titled, An Appalachian Trail: A Project in Regional Planning, forester and conservationist Benton Mackaye wrote, "The oxygen in the mountain air along the Appalachian skyline is a natural resource (and a national resource) that radiates to the heavens its enormous health-giving powers with only a fraction of a percent utilized for human rehabilitation." In 1936, the Appalachian Trail was completed from Mt. Springer in Georgia to Mt. Katahdin in Maine. Today, 105 miles of Appalachian Trail run through Shenandoah National Park. Benton Mackaye, who first proposed the idea of the Appalachian Trail, stands in a small clearing between trees looking out at tree-covered mountains. Credit: Appalachian Trail Conservancy
One of the features that makes Doyles River Cabin such a charming stay is its proximity to two beautiful falls, known as Upper and Lower Doyles.
To reach these falls from the cabin, hike down to the Doyles River Falls Trail and turn left. Along this trail you'll find the 28-foot tall Upper Doyles Falls and the 63-foot Lower Doyles Falls. At the lower falls, return back to the cabin on the Doyles River Trail for a round trip of 3.3 miles. More experienced hikers can also link the Doyles River Trail with the Jones Run Trail, adding on the 42-foot Jones Run Falls. After taking the Jones Run Trail to Jones Run parking at Mile 84, hike the AT North to Doyles River Parking (Mile 81) and take the Doyles River Trail back to the cabin on this 8-mile loop. From between tall tree trucks, Upper Doyles Falls is visible in te distance. A man stands on top of rocks in the center of the falls. Photo from 1967.
Upper Doyles Falls cascades down several drops. Green trees flourish on both sides of the falls. Photo from 2018.
The cabin is accessible via a short hike from Skyline Drive. Park at Doyles River Parking Area at Mile 81.1. From the parking lot hike down less than half a mile, then take a short connector trail about 100 yards uphill until you reach the cabin.
From this ledge, you are a few hundred feet above the Doyles River Falls Trail. You may hear hikers talking and laughing on their way to the falls.
If you are looking to explore the area, you can follow the path down to the trail. After turning right you'll reach the Appalachian Trail in about .3 miles. Along the AT South is Blackrock Summit, which offers a unique mountaintop perspective of the talus slopes that dot the park. Along the AT North you can access Loft Mountain campground, amphitheater, and wayside, and the Frazier Discovery Trail just north of that. Cement trail post at the Doyles River trailhead. Two metal bands wrap around the square post, embossed with the following directions:
Doyles River Trail Appalachian Trail 20 ft Doyles River Cabin 0.3 Browns Gap Road 0.9 Upper Doyles Falls 1.3 Jones Run Trail 2.2 Jones Run Falls 2.8 Jones Run Parking 4.6 This barely-visible sign identifies the ash pit for campers, and reminds them to pack out all their trash. The cabins come equipped with fire tools, shovels, and pails, but campers are expected to collect firewood and maintain the fireplace, leaving it ready for future visitors. Regardless of where you are in Shenandoah National Park, fires are only permitted in designated areas using pre constructed fireplaces and fire rings. At PATC cabins, visitors can use the stone fireplaces on the porch and stoves inside the cabin for fires. Just remember, always fully extinguish your fire before departing and never leave a fire unattended. Cement post at Doyles River Overlook which reads "NO OPEN FIRES."
Down this short connector trail is the locked outdoor pit toilet for cabin guests.
Red outbuilding at Doyles River Cabin.
Construction of Doyles River Cabin was completed in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corp. Like Pocosin and Rock Spring, the cabin was prefabricated at the CCC Camp and then erected on site. According to founding PATC member Frank Schairer, "The idea was to give the boys in the camp a project to work on when the weather was too bad for much else.” Quote: "The Shelter Train and How it Grew," from an Interview with Frank Schairer, by Ralph L. Magee and Thelma A. Dries, printed in PATC Bulletin Vol. XXI No. 4 p. 118. Man seated on the porch of Doyles River Cabin, year unknown.
This cabin (as well as Rock Spring and Pocosin) were constructed using materials found in the Park area, namely, wood from chestnut trees. The fungus endothia parasitica, commonly known as the Chestnut Blight, had devastated the population of American chestnut trees in the United States since 1904. By 1929, the Blight had reached the Park area. The dead and fallen trees were used extensively by area residents and CCC enrollees to construct houses, barns, fences, and more. When constructing the 3 cabins now operated by PATC, the CCC built walls of joined chestnut logs, used chestnut boards for roof sheathing, and operated a mill to make chestnut shingles for roofs and siding. Dead chestnuts logs and branches piled in a huge stack. In front of the pile, the CCC boys stand in uniform posed with their tools. A dark-colored 1930s-era truck is parked in front of the pile on the left side of the frame.
Short, weather-worn stump of an old American Chestnut tree. The stump stands in the forest in early winter, surrounded by brown fallen leaves and bare trees.
Have you heard about the trail logs on National Scenic Trails like the Appalachian Trail (AT) and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)? Hikers can sign and leave short message as they traverse the trails, documenting their progress and encourage their fellow hikers. Similar to trail logs, the PATC cabins have a logbook for visitors to record a short summary of their trip. These books have been used since the cabins were built. On April 24th 1937, the opening trip to Doyles River Cabin was recorded. In that first log book PATC members wrote, "The Park Service is much to be commended for this structure. Apart from the extraordinary location, every detail of construction has been carefully attended to." Quote: Doyles River Cabin Logbook 1937, page 1, Potomac Appalachian Trail Club Archives, Vienna, VA. Cement trail post stands at a trail intersection near Neighbor Mountain. The trail continues along behind the post, surrounded my tall green trees on both sides.
In 2014, the cabin underwent extended maintenance to preserve the historic integrity of the building. This included replacement and repair of the roof. The crew also installed a new stove, valve, and flashing.
Doyles River Cabin covered in green moss before the roof replacement in 2014.
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Last updated: May 29, 2024