Posted in Virginia
July 07, 2020
Virginia’s Scenic Waterfall Loop Will Take You To 9 Different Waterfalls
Who doesn’t love a good road trip? Here at Only In Virginia, we’ll take nearly any excuse to hop in our cars and explore the beautiful landscape that Virginia has to offer. If you agree with this sentiment, then you’ll be excited by today’s featured road trip: a waterfall loop through Virginia. While the itinerary doesn’t cover even half of the impressive waterfalls you’ll find in our state, you can look forward to experiencing nine different falls, ranging from gentle cascades to rushing gorges.
The driving portion requires a little less than eight hours, not including potential hiking and viewing time. If you’re interested in seeing all of the waterfalls on the route, be sure to plan ahead by booking a campsite or finding overnight accommodations.
Ready to start exploring? Check out this customizable Google Map and let’s get started!
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
Our waterfall loop road trip in Virginia begins at Crabtree Falls, perhaps one of the most famous cascades in the state. To start with, it's the tallest series of cascading waterfalls east of the Mississippi River and falls 1,200 feet over the course of 0.5 miles. Visitors can hike alongside the falls or admire a portion of the drop from the viewing platform, just steps away from the parking area. For more information about visiting Crabtree Falls, click here.
Saint Marys Wilderness encompasses 10,000 acres within the George Washington National Forest. The hike to the namesake waterfall, Saint Marys Falls, requires a 1.8-mile out-and-back trek along the creek. You won't be disappointed by the views along the way or by the final destination, a scenic 25-foot drop.
The next stop, Statons Creek Falls, requires no hiking at all. This lovely, zig-zag waterfall is located within the Pedlar District of George Washington National Forest. You can admire the series of cascades and gorges right from the parking lot. Eventually, this waterfall merges with the Pedlar River.
If at this point in the itinerary, you're looking for a place to cool off, then you're in luck! Panther Falls is a beautiful waterfall that also doubles as a swimming hole. Located in Buena Vista, this popular summertime destination attracts visitors near and far for its ideal swimming conditions. Though some attempt to jump into the water from the rocks, this is extremely dangerous and not recommended. Instead, play it safe and wade into the pool to test water conditions and depth. Note that the pathway to Panther Falls is approximately 0.4 miles in length. For more information, click here.
Blue Suck Falls is located in Douthat State Park and requires a bit of a trek to reach. The upside is that you'll be hiking through the Blue Ridge Mountains and enjoying some of the most beautiful scenery in the region. Blue Suck Falls drops approximately 50 feet with three distinct cascades. If there's been a drought, this waterfall can be virtually dry, so it's best to visit after heavy rainfall. For more information on hiking to Blue Suck Falls, click here.
Bonus waterfall: the Douthat State Park dam. If you're not up for a few miles of hiking at Douthat, fret not. There's another waterfall option that doesn't require as much activity. While it's technically a dam, this river spillway is incredibly photogenic and will most certainly delight visitors of all ages.
Falling Spring Falls is undoubtedly the most dramatic waterfall in Virginia. Luckily, it can also be admired from the designated parking lot. Falling Spring Falls measures approximately 70 feet, although it was originally believed to be closer to 200 before being rerouted. It's hard to determine which is more beautiful: the waterfall itself or the backdrop of the Alleghany Mountains.
The name Roaring Run might be inspired by the sheer volume of water that visitors notice upon experiencing noisy cataracts leading to the falls. The hike to Roaring Run falls is one mile and requires a bit of climbing, although is widely considered to be easy. Along the way, you'll experience a bit of Virginia's iron forge history as well as a series of smaller falls. For more information about this waterfall, click here.
Apple Orchard Falls is a breathtaking destination that can be accessed via the Blue Ridge Parkway near the Sunset Fields Overlook. The Apple Orchard Falls Trail is a 2.6-mile there-and-back trek that leads to an impressive and complex waterfall that's approximately 200 feet. Let's just say you'll want to bring your camera with you for the endless photo ops that abound along this scenic trail.
The dam at Hollins Mill Park is the final destination on our waterfall loop in Virginia. Despite the fact that it isn't technically a waterfall, this historic attraction is certainly worth visiting. The park surrounding the dam offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, including picnic areas where you can rest and reflect upon your waterfall adventures. For more information, click here.
Have you experienced any of the waterfalls on this itinerary before? If so, we’d love to hear from you!
Address: Crabtree Falls, Massies Mill, VA 22976, USA
Address: Raphine, VA 24472, USA
Address: Statons Creek Falls, 2, VA 24483, USA
Address: Panther Falls, 3, VA 24521, USA
Address: Blue Suck Falls, Williamsville, VA 24460, USA
Address: Falling Spring Falls, Falling Spring, VA 24445, USA
Address: 450 Roaring Run Rd, Eagle Rock, VA 24085, USA
Address: Apple Orchard Falls, Buchanan, VA 24066, USA
Address: 521 Hollins Mill Rd, Lynchburg, VA 24504, USA
