By Robyn Smith
From Niagara Falls in Canada to Great Falls in McLean, there are some pretty well-known waterfalls in this country. But what about the approachable ones—the ones you have to hike to get to, but once you get there, you can actually reach under them? We put together a list of some of Virginia’s best waterfalls to help you find a new adventure.
Crabtree Falls
Location: The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Massies Mill
Drive time from Fairfax City: 3 hours
Length of trail: 0.5 miles
Why it’s worth the trip: This waterfall is known as the tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi River. In total, it comprises 1200 feet of beautiful, free-flowing water.
Apple Orchard Falls
Location: The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Buchanan
Drive time from Fairfax City: 3 hours, 15 minutes
Length of trail: 3.32 miles
Why it’s worth the trip: Along the Apple Orchard Falls trail, hikers walk right up next to the water, as it has bridges that run over the falls. Also, along the way, there are plenty of swimming holes to catch your fancy.
Cedar Run Falls
Location: Shenandoah National Park, Robertson
Drive time from Fairfax City: 2 hours
Length of trail: 3.4 miles
Why it’s worth the trip: Of its three waterfalls, the upper falls act as a natural waterslide that descends into a swimming hole. Nature doesn’t get much better than that.
Little Stony Creek Falls
Location: The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Dungannon
Drive time from Fairfax City: 2 hours
Length of trail: 2.8 miles
Why it’s worth the trip: People kayak through these falls often, and how often do you really get a chance to say you kayaked off a waterfall? One of the falls is 8 feet high and the other 24 feet, and the trail that runs past them follows a stream through a gorge that is 400 feet deep and 1,700 feet wide.
Back Creek Gorge
Location: The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Warm Springs
Drive time from Fairfax City: 3 hours, 40 minutes
Length of trail: 1.3 miles
Why it’s worth the trip: It’s hard to find information on the gorge online. In fact, even searching Back Creek Gorge on Google Maps will pull up an iffy locale that doesn’t resemble the trail at all. However,check out this Youtube video or eventhis one of people easing their way into the pool at the bottom of the falls with just a rope and good balance, and you might have a different idea in mind.
Cabin Creek Trail
Location: Grayson Highlands State Park, Mouth of Wilson
Drive time from Fairfax City: 5 hours, 30 minutes
Length of trail: 1.8 miles
Why it’s worth the trip: As one of the lesser-known trails of the park, Cabin Creek Trail leads up to the falls on Whitetop Mountain, with plenty of cascading hills of wild rhododendron on the way.
Cascade Falls
Location: Pembroke
Drive time from Fairfax City: 4 hours, 10 minutes
Length of trail: 4 miles
Why it’s worth the trip: The largest of the falls is 66 feet tall, and you can walk right up next to it along a flat stone that covers the length of the bottom of the falls. This is one of the most picturesque waterfalls in Virginia, and it’s easier to drive to as well.
