It’s warm! It’s Virginia in the mountains! Let’s go to the waterfalls!
Concerning the beauty of this wonderful state of Virginia, in a 1795 letter to his dear friend Alexander Donald, Thomas Jefferson wrote the following: “…there is no quarter of the globe so desirable as America [and] no state in America desirable as Virginia.” As Jefferson chose the Blue Ridge Mountain nuzzling Albemarle County as the site for his mountaintop home of Monticello, not to mention his revolutionary educational project, the University of Virginia, it requires no stretch of the imagination to claim the confidence of the former president’s assertion was rooted in the landscape he so dearly loved.
As Jefferson wrote what amounts to one of the first surveys of Virginia—his “Notes on Virginia”—with a large portion of the work being dedicated to the state’s mountain tributaries and the rivers they fed, certainly the former president knew a thing or two about the state’s overwhelming bounty of falling water.
Thus, in celebration of America’s renaissance outdoorsman and Virginia’s foremost spokesman, here’s a bucket list of 10 Blue Ridge waterfalls Mr. Jefferson wouldn’t have wanted you to miss.
Falling Springs
Height:
Around 80 feet.
The Walk/Access:
This magnificent fall is located in the Alleghany Highlands, about five miles north of Covington, and is visible from U.S. 220.
The Added Lure:
Snap a photo—the waterfall is one of the most picturesque and therefore photographed places in Virginia. Then head west to see the nearby Humpback Bridge, which, constructed in 1857, is considered the oldest remaining covered bridge in Virginia.
Grab a Bite:
For a historical dining experience, check out the Cat and Owl Restaurant. From the falls you’ll pass back through Covington, head east on I-64, take the exit for Low Moor, hang a right and look for C&O’s sign on your right-hand side. Once inside, you’ll encounter vintage country-chic décor and a menu specializing in old-fashioned steak and seafood dishes. By old-fashioned, they mean the majority of entrees are cooked in an open-faced hearth, as if it were the early 19th century.
Blue Suck Falls
Height:
The fall’s three cascades drop a total of about 60 feet.
The Walk/Access:
From Exit 27 on I-64, in Williamsville, head north on County Rd 629 (Douthat Rd) to the Douthat State Park entrance. Across from the Visitor Center lies the entrance to the “moderately difficult,” three-mile-long Blue Suck Falls Trail.
The Added Lure:
While there’s no trail-side camping, the 4,546-acre Douthat State Park has over 75 sites, including a group camping area. Spend a couple of days with friends and family swimming in the 50-acre Douthat Lake, biking or hiking its multiple trails, and catching exquisite overlooks along the way.
Grab a Bite:
The nearest quality eats are in Clifton Forge. Try the Café Michel, where French chef, Michel Galand creates daily specials “sourcing the freshest ingredients from the best Virginia producers, farmers and suppliers.”
Crabtree Falls
Height:
Numerous cascades dropping a sum total of 1,080 feet.
The Walk/Access:
From Tye River Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway (milepost 27.2), head east on Va. 56 4.6 miles and look for parking on the right. The trail is steep, features numerous stairways, and winds upward for 1.9 miles. Frequently referred to as the “highest falls of the Blue Ridge,” or “the highest falls east of the Mississippi,” Crabtree Falls is one of the most breathtaking sights the state has to offer.
The Added Lure:
Continue on the trail beyond the falls to Crabtree Meadows Road for .9 miles and then hang a left onto the Appalachian Trail. Hike north for 1.2 miles to the 4,063-foot summit of The Priest.
Grab a Bite:
Follow Va. 56 down the mountain some 15 miles to Arrington’s locally famous gem of a restaurant, Thai Siam. With an open-air kitchen and authentic Thai décor, this is truly a one-of-a-kind experience.
Apple Orchard Falls
Height:
200 feet
The Walk/Access:
Head to the Sunset Field Overlook, near Milepost 78.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is an approximately 1.5-mile hike down to the falls from the overlook.
The Added Lure:
To considerably up the ante, try approaching the falls via the 5.6 mile Cornelius Creek loop. Winding through the Jefferson National Forest, with something like 90 percent of the trail proceeding directly alongside or within eyeshot of running water, this walk is well worth the effort.
Here’s how to get there: From I-81, just past Buchanan, take exit 168. Follow Route 614 through Arcadia and turn left at the North Creek Campground sign onto FR-59. Trailhead is located at the end of the road.
Grab a Bite:
Located a short jaunt from the falls, in Bedford you’ll find the Olde Liberty Station restaurant. As a tastefully renovated historical railroad station, its interior alone is worth the trip. And the food—classic Americana—won’t disappoint.
Cascade Falls
Height:
70 feet
The Walk/Access:
Take U. S. 460 into Pembroke and turn onto Cascade Dr (Va. T623) which, after about 3.1 miles, will bring you to the entrance of The Cascades National Scenic Trail. From the parking lot ($3 per car), follow the trail around two miles until you see the waterfall.
The Added Lure:
Not far from the CNST, at the intersection of Cascade Drive and U.S. 460, lies Tangent Outfitters. Double up your adventure factor by hiking the falls early in the morning, then heading to Tangent Outfitters for a lunch in their café. Post lunch, canoe, kayak or paddle-board the New River from Eggleston down to the Pembroke landing. The scenic trip is about 7 miles, takes 2 – 3 hours to complete, and features smooth water with big limestone cliffs, excellent fishing, and occasional stretches of riffles and Class I rapids.
Grab a Bite:
If you’re into Korean cuisine, there’s a gem in Pembroke by the name of Kal-Bee. A small, family owned operation, Kal-Bee serves all organic produce and encourages you to bring your own wine. One of those unique dining experiences that transcends the excellence of the food itself.
Dismal Falls
Height:
15–20 feet
The Walk/Access:
From I-81 take exit 98 and drive north of Va. 100. Go 11.6 miles then take a left onto Va. 42. After 10.1 miles, turn right onto Va. 606. After another mile, turn right on Va. 671. Half a mile after the pavement ends, look for the sign for the falls, which are less than .1 mile off the road.
The Added Lure:
Situated along the highly rural border of Bland and Giles counties and located within the Jefferson National Forest, with numerable swimming holes, further trails, and fascinating rock formations, the area makes for great—and isolated—car-camping. Pack a cooler, tent, and some chairs and pitch camp about 1.5 miles up SR-671 from the falls at the Walnut Flats primitive campground, which is located in a grassy clearing surrounded by forest.
Additionally, be sure to bring your fly-fishing pole—Dismal Creek features native brook trout, in addition to being stocked by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Grab a Bite:
Visit Wytheville for the Graze on Main experience. Featuring “new Southern” cuisine, with fine-art décor, an atrium dining room, and a supremely well-stocked bar, Graze offers “casual but elegant” dining.
Statons Creek Falls
Height:
140 feet in several cascades.
The Walk/Access:
From I-81 take exit 188-A for Buffalo and head east on US-60 for 13.6 miles. Take a left onto state Route 605 (Pedlar River Rd) and go about 2.2 miles. Look for the top of the falls just off the road and to the right. There is a small parking area about 100 yards prior to the falls on the left.
The Added Lure:
Make this a George Washington National Forest/Pedlar River two-for-the-price-of-one by visiting nearby Panther Falls. At just 9.5 road-miles away, the destination offers a quick hike (less than a mile) down to a pair of massive boulders from which you can leap into what is typically an 8-12-foot pool of water below.
To get there, return to US-60 and head west for about 3.2 miles. Hang a left onto Panther Falls Rd, which you’ll stay on, through various slight forkings, for about 4.1 miles. Look for the trailhead and parking lot to be on your left.
Grab a Bite:
For a dose of fine, farm-to-table dining, cut out for the Red Hen in Lexington. With predominantly locally-sourced ingredients and ultra-creative Italian fare, this is a palate pleaser.
Stiles Falls
Height: 60 feet
The Walk/Access:
Begin at camp Alta Mons in Shawsville. Park at the camp office, then walk up the main road past a swimming pool, retreat center and pond. Continue hiking for about .8 miles and you will see a sign for the falls. With very little climbing, the round-trip hike totals a breezy 3.5 miles.
The Added Lure:
Bring a big group and nab a primitive campsite, cabin, or cottage at the Alta Mons Retreat ($15 a night for campsites). Explore the retreat’s additional trails and, if you are particularly adventurous, take a stab at the camp’s ‘Challenge Course’—a brand new team-oriented obstacle course that includes a variety of really cool rope-based aerial challenges culminating in a zip-line run through the tree tops.
For more info on the course, visit altamons.org/challenge-course-rental
Grab a Bite:
At The Summit restaurant in Christiansburg, you’ll find great Victorian ambience coupled with chef, Abdul H. Shiraki’s “Best Chef’s of America”-nominated Mediterranean and other distinctive cuisines. Perfect for an exotic end to a great afternoon.
Straight Branch Falls
Height:
20 feet
The Walk/Access:
From Damascus, take U.S. 58 east for about 6 miles. The waterfall and a small pullover will be on the left side of the road. There is no sign or marker for the falls, so keep your eyes peeled. If you see Feather Camp Rd or Bear Tree Gap Rd you’ve gone too far.
The Added Lure:
While in Damascus—one of Virginia’s top trail towns—rent a bike and pedal a portion of the 34-mile Virginia Creeper Trail. The trail follows several mountain streams through canopied forests, passing over numerous converted railroad trestles, bridges, and quaint, country farms.
Grab a Bite:
Just outside Damascus, in Meadowview, lies Steven Hopp and Barbara Kingsolver’s experimental farm-to-table eatery, Harvest Table Restaurant. Rest assured, Chef Phillip Newton’s daily reprised farm-fresh menu will make for an interesting and delectable occasion.
Devil’s Bathtub
Height:
12 feet
The Walk/Access:
From Duffield’s Fort Blackmore Primary School, follow state Route 619 north (Big Stoney Creek Rd) for 4.4 miles. Turn left onto FR-619 and go another .4 miles to the parking lot/entrance to the 3.2-mile out-and-back Devil’s Fork Loop Trail.
The Added Lure:
While the Devil’s Bathtub is located about 1.5 miles in, the DFL Trail continues onward through the Jefferson National Forest, making a loop that’s a hair over 7 miles. Hike the entire route and, along with something like a 1,200-foot elevation change, magical clusters of rhododendron, cool rock formations, and big, old-growth hemlocks, afford yourself the added benefit of checking out Corder Hollow Falls. Located about 3.5 miles into the venture, the falls is around 50 feet tall.
Grab a Bite:
For some ultra-premium barbeque, other smoked staples, and a fine selection of microbrews, check out Abingdon’s Bone Fire Smokehouse. If you’re there between Thursday and Sunday, you get the added bonus of hearing some of the best musicians the city has to offer.