Virginia
Nature|Waterfalls

The Little-Known Waterfall In Virginia You Can Only Reach By Hiking This 1.6-Mile Trail

Great Falls National Park in Virginia offers stunning waterfalls, scenic trails, and various outdoor activities.

Updated May 27, 2023

Written by 

Celina Colby

It’s no surprise that Great Falls National Park in McLean, Virginia, boasts beautiful waterfalls. The 800-acre park is home to a series of scenic falls as well as access to the Potomac River. For more than a century, the park has been a recreational hotspot for everything from hiking and fishing to picnicking and boating. Moreover, it’s home to one of the best waterfalls in Virginia and, if you ask me, you’ll want to witness it for yourself.

There are a few ways you can experience the park and its falls. Three scenic overlooks are located a short hike from the Visitor Center when you arrive.

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Douglas Rissing / E+ Collection via Getty Images

These overlooks are the closest you can get to the falls and are a great way to orient yourself within the larger park.

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Chris Minihane / Moment Collection via Getty Images

After that, you can choose from a series of trails offering other views of the park. The River Trail is one of the most popular routes because it provides unparalleled views of the Potomac.

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Douglas Rissing / E+ Collection via Getty Images

Some rock scrambling is required on these trails, but it's worth it for the views of the river and waterfalls from the cliffside you'll be climbing.

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mbell / Moment Collection via Getty Images

Waterways aren't the only natural wonders on this trail. Keep an eye out for the local flora and fauna. Vultures and great blue herons are particularly common in this area of the park.

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drnadig / E+ Collection via Getty Images

For the very bold who aren't satisfied with a hike alone, consider kayaking along the falls and river. There's no experience quite like sailing along the whitewater.

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mbell / Moment Collection via Getty Images

Great Falls National Park is a natural landmark that's rich with history and awe-inspiring geological features. This park is located right at the crux of a change in the river and falls. The Potomac drops 77 feet here in less than a mile as it rushes towards Chesapeake Bay. That unique shift in the waterway provides some of the most beautiful water views in the state.

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Wanna see more of the Great Falls National Park? Check out this incredible YouTube video by Where Next Travel highlighting the best features of the park:

https://youtu.be/ZHw4gfGYkS8

Searching for more outdoor fun? If so, here’s a pretty little waterfall in Virginia featuring a serene swimming hole that's the perfect spot to cool off during the warmer months.

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Nature|Hiking

The Little-Known Waterfall in Virginia You’ve Probably Never Seen in Person

White Rock Falls is located near the famous Crabtree Falls, but it's decidedly lesser-known, making it perfect for a hidden gem hiking adventure.

Published Sep 13, 2024

Written by 

Beth Copenhaver

Virginia has its collection of famous waterfalls: Falling Spring Falls, Crabtree Falls, Dark Hollow Falls, and many more. Yet few explorers know about an equally charming waterfall known as White Rock Falls. Like many of Virginia's lovely cascades, it's hiding in the woods and requires a hike. But as you'll quickly discover, the trek to get there is just as rewarding as the waterfall itself.

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White Rock Falls Loop is a 4.6-mile hike near Montebello, Virginia. It takes the average hiker about 2.5 hours to complete, with nearly 1,000 feet in elevation gain. There are two options for parking, both along the Blue Ridge Parkway: White Rock Gap Trail Parking or Slacks Overlook Parking. Most opt for the first, taking the loop counter-clockwise.

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Jordan Eagle / AllTrails

If you choose this route, the first part of the trail will be a bit overgrown. Reviewers recommend wearing long pants and sturdy boots for the rocky terrain and sections of poison ivy you may encounter. This is especially true in the summertime.

And although the inclines can be tough, your efforts will be rewarded with some gorgeous mountain overlooks -- be sure to bring your camera with you!

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Richard Cripe / AllTrails

Hikers also appreciate the variety of terrain; this truly feels like a classic Virginia hike with Blue Ridge Mountain Views, beautiful, ancient rock formations, hardwood forests, wildflowers, and perhaps a little wildlife, too.

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Kyle Congleton / AllTrails

And the waterfall itself is just icing on the cake. The streamflow can vary greatly depending on rainfall, so keep in mind that it may not be as dramatic as other waterfalls in the region. It's easy to miss, too, so be sure to keep your eyes out for the wooded sign at the top of one of the trail's inclines that will lead you to the spur trail to the falls.

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Alex Cherlin / AllTrails

For those willing to spend the better part of a morning or afternoon in nature, White Rock Falls Loop comes highly recommended. It's a popular trail, although it's relatively undiscovered so you'll likely encounter only a handful of fellow hikers.

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Blake Brashears / AllTrails

Learn more about how you can hike to White Rock Falls via the White Rock Falls Loop on AllTrails. And don't forget to take a look at our outdoor essentials packing list before your trip. Looking for more natural wonders to explore? We've put together a list of the best waterfalls in Virginia, and we think each one is worth the adventure!

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And, if you need a place to stay nearby, check out the picturesque and rustic cabins at Crabtree Falls.

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Nature|Waterfalls

The Virginia Hike That Leads To The Most Unforgettable Destination

Dark Hollow Falls Trail in Shenandoah National Park offers a short yet challenging hike with stunning waterfall views.

Updated Jul 18, 2024

Written by 

Beth Copenhaver

There’s no doubt about it: the best way to enjoy Virginia’s gorgeous scenery is to get out there and experience it with your own eyes. Countless hiking trails throughout our state make this not only possible but wonderfully convenient and enjoyable. Today, we’ll introduce you to an especially magical trail located in Shenandoah National Park near Stanley, VA. And the best news of all? It’s just over a mile in length and is one of the best hikes in Virginia. See for yourself just how incredible Dark Hollow Falls in Virginia can be. Grab your hiking gear, download AllTrails, and let’s explore this unforgettable Virginia trail.

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Dark Hollow Falls is a beloved high-altitude hike nestled in the woods of Shenandoah National Park. It's an adventure that just about any outdoor enthusiast can appreciate.

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Patricia Mann/AllTrails

The trail measures just 1.4 miles out and back, yet the terrain can be a bit challenging at times. The trail starts off easy enough because it is all downhill to the falls. Along the way, you will be treated to the tranquil trickle of a stream and be surrounded by beautiful forest.

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Jim User/AllTrails

The trail can be tricky coming up, especially when you consider all those stairs! Fortunately, you can take your time and appreciate the surrounding beauty and peaceful sounds of nature. The elevation gain is only a mere 564 feet, but in such a short distance this trail can give you a pretty good workout.

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Kenneth Grimm/AllTrails

After a quick stream crossing across this fairytale-like bridge, you'll arrive at the main attraction: Dark Hollow Falls.

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Janice Posnikoff/AllTrails

There is a viewing area near the top of the falls, but a helpful sign will guide you down the trail to the base of the falls. Take a quick look at the top, but the real view awaits you at the bottom.

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Danielle Ferrari/Google

This breathtaking waterfall isn't the biggest of its kind in Virginia, yet it's hard to deny its allure. The way the water cascades down in many different tiers makes it one of the most beautiful waterfalls in all of the state.

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Bryan Ruckel/AllTrails

You could easily spend a full hour just watching this mesmerizing cascade of water fall into the pool below. So pack a picnic and stay for a while!

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Kenneth Grimm/AllTrails

This is a very popular trail so it is likely that you will be sharing the view with many others. Pets are not allowed but bring the kids along. There is plenty of room at the base of the falls to find a smooth rock and your own piece of solitude.

Plus, you'll want to take a breather before the ascent back to the parking lot.

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Scarlette Tapley/AllTrails

Surrounded by this iconic mountainscape, you'll quickly realize why this section of Shenandoah National Park is so cherished.

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Chand Bharti (CB)/Google

For important information about Dark Hollow Falls, you can visit the official National Parks Service website. Have you hiked the Dark Hollow Falls Trail in Virginia and experienced this gorgeous waterfall? Would you agree that this is one of the best hikes in the state? We'd love to hear all about it! Make sure to check out the whole hike in this incredible spot by watching this Adventuring in the Moment video.

https://youtu.be/kmIb6ZE25HA

For related content, be sure to check out The Perfect Weekend Itinerary For Exploring Virginia's Waterfalls.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/virginia/waterfall-weekend-itinerary-va/

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