Virginia is packed with waterfalls, but the best ones make you earn the reward with a good hike first. Some drop hundreds of feet down mountain rock, while others hide deep in national forests where the crowds thin out.
If you like trails that end with a big view and the sound of rushing water, this list is for you. Below are eleven Virginia waterfalls that pay you back for the climb, from famous parks to quieter corners of the state.
Lace up your boots, pack some water, and get ready to plan a weekend or two around these scenic stops.
1. Crabtree Falls, Montebello, Virginia
Bragging rights come easy here, since Crabtree Falls is often called the highest vertical-drop cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River. The water tumbles roughly 1,200 feet in a series of five major cascades.
The trail sits in the George Washington National Forest near the Blue Ridge Parkway. A well-maintained path with several overlooks lets you catch different angles of the falls as you climb.
The full hike runs about 3 miles round trip to the upper viewpoint, with a steady uphill grind. There is a parking fee at the lower lot, and the paved lower section is friendly for a quick visit.
Fall color season makes this one especially popular, so arrive early if you want a quieter walk.
2. Dark Hollow Falls, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Short but steep sums up the trek to Dark Hollow Falls, one of the most reachable waterfalls in Shenandoah National Park. The hike is only about 1.4 miles round trip.
Do not let the short distance fool you. The trail drops down to the falls, which means the climb back up is where you feel the burn.
The falls spill about 70 feet over layers of rock, and you can view them from a few different levels along the path. The trailhead is right off Skyline Drive near mile 50.
A national park entrance fee applies. It is one of the closest waterfall hikes to the main drive, which makes it an easy add-on to a Shenandoah day trip.
3. Whiteoak Canyon Falls, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
For hikers who want more than one payoff, Whiteoak Canyon delivers a whole chain of waterfalls along a single trail. There are six major falls scattered throughout the canyon.
The tallest drops around 86 feet, and the trail rewards you with new views the deeper you go. You can turn around early or push on to see them all.
Distance depends on your goal, but reaching the upper falls and back can run 4 to 5 miles or more with real elevation change. Pools along the way draw plenty of visitors on warm days.
The trail can be accessed from Skyline Drive inside Shenandoah National Park, where an entrance fee applies. Sturdy shoes help, since parts of the route get rocky.
4. Cascade Falls, Pembroke, Virginia
A 66-foot curtain of water pouring into a wide pool is what waits at the end of the Cascades Trail near Pembroke. The scene is one of the most photographed in southwest Virginia.
Two routes lead to the falls in the Jefferson National Forest. One follows the stream closely, and the other takes an upper path, so many hikers loop them together for about 4 miles round trip.
The lower trail crosses footbridges and passes smaller cascades along the way. It is a moderate hike that families with older kids can handle.
There is a parking fee at the trailhead. The area gets busy on weekends, so a weekday visit means more room to enjoy the view.
5. Apple Orchard Falls, Botetourt County, Virginia
Standing around 200 feet tall, Apple Orchard Falls is one of the more dramatic drops you can reach along the Blue Ridge Parkway corridor. The water slides down a long, mossy rock face.
The trail leaves from near the Sunset Field Overlook and heads downhill toward the falls. That means the return trip is the workout.
The out-and-back route runs roughly 2.5 to 3 miles, and wooden steps and a viewing platform near the falls help with the steeper sections. The setting inside the Jefferson National Forest feels remote once you drop below the parkway.
Spring rains make the falls fuller, while autumn brings color to the surrounding trees.
6. Fallingwater Cascades, Peaks of Otter, Virginia
Not far from the Peaks of Otter area, Fallingwater Cascades tumbles down a rocky stairstep of ledges rather than one giant drop. The result is a series of small falls stacked along the stream.
The loop trail runs about 1.6 miles and is rated moderate. Wooden bridges and steps guide you along the water for much of the route.
You can find the trailhead right off the Blue Ridge Parkway near mile 83. Because it connects easily to the Peaks of Otter, it works well as part of a longer day in the area.
The cascades run strongest after rainfall, so a visit in spring gives you the most water on the rocks.
7. Falls of Little Stony Creek, Dungannon, Virginia
Way out in the far southwest corner of the state, the Falls of Little Stony Creek flow through a shaded gorge in the Jefferson National Forest. Three separate falls line the creek.
The Little Stony National Recreation Trail follows the water for roughly 2.8 miles one way, passing footbridges and rock walls. Many hikers do a shorter section to reach the main falls.
The creek sits below a canopy of hemlock and hardwoods, keeping the trail cool in summer. It is a quieter spot compared to the busier parkway falls.
The remote location means fewer crowds, though it also means planning your drive and fuel ahead of time.
8. Rose River Falls, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Hikers who want a loop instead of a straight out-and-back tend to love the Rose River trail in Shenandoah. The falls drop about 67 feet into a small pool.
The loop runs close to 4 miles and follows old roads and streamside paths. You get the falls plus smaller cascades along the Rose River itself.
The trailhead connects to Skyline Drive, and a national park entrance fee applies. It tends to be less crowded than nearby Dark Hollow, which makes for a calmer walk.
Wildflowers show up along the route in spring, adding a little extra color to the hike.
9. Statons Creek Falls, Vesuvius, Virginia
If you want a big waterfall without a long march, Statons Creek Falls near Vesuvius sits close to the road. The water slides down a broad rock face in a long cascade.
The falls are located in the George Washington National Forest in the Blue Ridge area near the Blue Ridge Parkway. You can see the upper portion from a short walk near the pull-off.
Getting a full view of the lower drop takes more careful footing, and the rocks stay slick, so caution matters here. Many visitors stick to the accessible upper viewpoint.
It is a good stop for travelers who are already exploring the Vesuvius and Montebello region.
10. Big Falls of the Bullpasture River, Williamsville, Virginia
Out in Highland and Bath County territory, the Bullpasture River carves through a scenic gorge that draws anglers and paddlers. Big Falls marks one of the standout spots along the water.
The gorge area sits near the Bullpasture Gorge Wildlife Management Area, a rugged stretch of the state that stays off the typical tourist path. Trails follow the river through steep terrain.
The falls are more of a powerful rapid drop than a towering vertical plunge, which gives the river its reputation for strong current. The surrounding mountains make the setting feel wild and open.
Because this is a remote region, come prepared with supplies and a full tank before heading out.
11. South River Falls, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Rounding out the Shenandoah trio, South River Falls ranks as one of the tallest waterfalls in the park at about 83 feet. It plunges over layered rock into a wooded canyon.
An overlook near the top gives you a view of the falls before you decide how far to go. Hiking down to the base adds distance and a real climb back up.
The full route to the bottom and back runs close to 4.5 miles, while the overlook loop is shorter. The trailhead is reached from Skyline Drive, where the park entrance fee applies.
Because it draws fewer visitors than the central district falls, it is a solid pick when you want scenery without the crowds.
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