Join us as we take a road trip to some of Virginia’s most scenic waterfalls!

With summertime temps climbing to the triple digits, it’s the perfect excuse to head to some of Virginia’s refreshing waterfalls. Cool forest trails and the sound of gentle streams and rushing water can make the day seem at least a few degrees cooler. You can even swim at some of them.

Turn your road trip into a waterfall weekend by planning out accommodations. There are lots of campgrounds, hotels, and B&Bs along the way.

Now, let’s get this Virginia waterfall tour underway!

Great Falls Park

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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9200 Old Dominion Drive / McLean, Virginia 22102

We’ll start at the north end of the state on the Potomac River. Great Falls is found along the border of Fairfax County, Virginia, and Montgomery County, Maryland. The 800-acre park is just 15 miles from downtown D.C., but you’d never know it walking along the wooded trails and natural sites.

It’s a fairly quick walk to the impressive falls, which is more of a whitewater showcase than a traditional tall cascading waterfall. It flows over steep rocks and through the Mather Gorge as a river of tumbling cascades and rushing water. There are locks and canals (commissioned by Pres. G. Washington himself) and even a ghost town, Matildaville, nearby.

Doyles River Falls

White Hall, VA 22932

You’ll get two falls for the price of one at Doyles River Falls: Upper Doyles River and Lower Doyles. The upper falls is a three-tiered 30-foot waterfall. Lower Doyles Falls is 63 feet tall. The falls dip and scatter over multiple tiers of rock to splash into a pool and head onward. Located in the southern section of Shenandoah National Park, it’s a 3.2-mile round trip hike.  

Jones Run Falls

Crozet, VA

Located in the South District of Shenandoah National Park, Jones Run Falls is a peaceful 42-foot cascade surrounded by lush green moss, trees, and rock formations. It’s a 4.5-mile roundtrip hike with a gradual climb. Dogs are allowed but must be leashed. It’s near Doyles River Falls, and there’s small swimming areas along the trail.

Crabtree Falls

11581 Crabtree Falls Hwy / Montebello, VA 24464

Crabtree Falls is a stunning 1,200-foot cascade, the tallest vertical drop waterfall east of the Mississippi River. It’s about six miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway, in the western part of the state, near milepost 27. There are five major cascades and several small ones. You can hike a three-mile trail or view it from the viewing platform. It you hike, you’ll be rewarded with views of the Tye River Valley at the top. A staircase along the falls makes the climb a bit easier.

Statons Creek Falls

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Spent the day exploring/hiking/enjoying the Blue Ridge Mountains with the family. It’s these moments when I most feel the presence of God... standing in awe of creation, watching my boys smile, laugh and play, relearning to slow down and enjoy every second. The day brought to mind a few of my favorite quotes by John Muir. “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” “Oh, these vast, calm, measureless mountain days, days in whose light everything seems equally divine, opening a thousand windows to show us God.” “Keep close to Nature’s heart... and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.”

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2167-2181 Pedlar River Road / Vesuvius, VA 24483

Statons Creek Falls is located in the Pedlar District in George Washington National Forest. At 140 feet tall, it has several cascades and a unique zig-zag-shaped trail of water that gently dips and flows across low-lying rocks. It eventually runs into the Pedlar River. No hiking is required.

Panther Falls

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

contemplating jumping off of cliffs at panther falls 📷: @michaelanwar #pantherfalls

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Panther Falls Road / Amherst, VA 24521

Located near Statons Creek Falls, Panther Falls is your next swimming hole. The trail to the falls is .4 miles, and the water is chilly but refreshing. At about 10 feet tall, it’s not a tall waterfall, but it’s also not safe to jump into. It does have strong currents, so safety is a must. There are smaller wading type pools further down the trail.

Blue Suck Falls and the Douthat State Park Dam

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Blue Suck Falls #douthatstatepark #bluesuckfalls #virginia

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14239 Douthat State Park Road / Millboro, VA 24460

Blue Suck Falls, within Douthat State Park in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is 50 feet tall with several different cascades. The three-mile long Blue Suck Falls Trail that takes you to two waterfalls (including Blue Suck Falls). The dam is closer (and quite scenic), so if you don’t want to hike it to Blue Suck, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how scenic the dam is. Established in 1933, Douthat State park has biking and hiking trails, campsites, a man-made beach, and the 50-acre Douthat Lake.

Falling Spring Falls

Hot Springs Road / Covington, VA 24426

Located in the Alleghany Mountains, Falling Spring Falls is a dramatic and showy 80-foot-tall waterfall that cascades down and tumbles over an overhanging cliff. It’s one of Virginia’s most photographed waterfalls. Be sure to pack a picnic and spend some time enjoying the view.

Roaring Run Falls

450 Roaring Run Road / Eagle Rock, VA 24085

Massive amounts of water create the roaring sound that gives Roaring Run Falls its name. A one-mile trail with lots of climbing gets you to the falls. There are several smaller falls along the way to provide incentive to keep going. The Roaring Run Falls and Furnace Trail is a great hiking trail for families of all experience levels. Along the way, check out the 19th-century iron furnace (converted iron ore to pig/crude iron), which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Apple Orchard Falls

Buchanan, VA 24066

The 200-foot tall Apple Orchard Falls is located off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Sunset Fields Overlook in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. It’s a scenic, but sometimes steep, 2.6-mile hike to get there. Hike along Apple Orchard Mountain or bring your camping gear.

Hollins Mill Park

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

"She doesn't need perfection, nor does she want it. She sees the beauty in the cracks of life, a true child of the earth. She can take the broken and make them whole without changing anything but perspective." ~Alicia N. Green . . . . . . #beautiful #canon_photos #canonphotography #everything_imaginable #fiftyshades_of_nature #hey_ihadtosnapthat #june #longexposure #longexposurephotography #longexposure_shots #nature #naturehippys_ #naturelovers #naturephotography #outdoors #outside #photooftheday #picoftheday #potd #rebel_longexposure #reflection #teamcanon #usa_naturehippys #vaoutdoors #virginia #water #waterfall #waterfallsfordays #wb_water_brilliance

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521 Hollins Mill Road / Lynchburg, VA 24504

Yes, it’s technically a dam, but it is a scenic one. Hollins Mill Park has lots of picnic areas, shade trees, fishing (catch and release), and other recreation. It connects to the Blackwater Creek Bikeway, so bring your bikes along.

Dark Hollow Falls

Luray, VA 22835

The popular Dark Hollow Falls is a scenic series of cascades and waterfalls in Shenandoah National Park. The trailhead is at mile 50.7 on Skyline Drive. It requires a 1.4-mile moderate hike. There are some steep sections, but it’s one of the most popular in the park. The 70-foot cascade was apparently one of Thomas Jefferson’s favorite places.

Lewis Falls

Lewis Falls

Courtesy of Let's See America

3655 US Highway 211 East, Luray, VA 22835

Found in Shenandoah National Park, Lewis Falls is a spectacular 81-foot waterfall near mile 51.4 on Skyline Drive. It drops into two streams and then divides further downstream. It’s a moderate 3.3-mile circuit hike with steep rocky areas, but the view is worth the effort.

Cascade Falls Trailhead

2068 Cascades Drive / Pembroke, VA 24136

The 66-foot Cascade Falls Trailhead in Jefferson National Forest features a scenic four-mile round-trip hike. The hike is low-to-moderate in difficulty. There are picnic areas and trout fishing in Little Stony Creek.

Dismal Falls

395 Dismal Creek Road / Pearisburg, VA 24134

Despite its rather dismal name, Dismal Falls is quite striking in appearance. Named after its mother stream Dismal Creek, it’s about 50 feet wide and features multiple tiers of low-lying rock with cascading water and a 12-foot drop into a whirlpool. The sides are bordered with stones, which are nice spots for viewing and resting. It’s a short and easy hike through the Appalachian Mountains of western Virginia.

Did we mention your favorite Virginia waterfall? Which ones did we miss? Let us know in the comments.