15 Best Waterfalls in Virginia (2026 Updated)
Of the 48 named waterfalls in Virginia, these 15 earn the strongest visitor ratings, led by Crabtree Falls, Cascades, and Lower Whiteoak Falls. The list spans the Central Blue Ridge and the James River Highlands, Alleghany Highlands and New River Valley, and Shenandoah and the Northern Blue Ridge.
How We Picked
We ranked the 35 publicly accessible Virginia waterfalls with at least five Google reviews by a weighted rating that balances score against review volume, so a 4.9 from a dozen reviewers counts for less than a 4.8 from thousands. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Crabtree Falls
Nellysford, VA · Nelson County · Central Blue Ridge and the James River Highlands
Why it made the list
It is the most reviewed waterfall in Virginia, holding 4.9 stars across 454 Google reviews. 89% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "5 major cascades & a number of smaller ones that fall a total distance of 1,200 ft." Reviews most often mention Crabtree Falls, uphill hike, elevation gain, and slippery rocks. It is one of 7 named falls in the Central Blue Ridge and the James River Highlands region. The nearest town is Nellysford, about 12 miles to the east.
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2. Cascades
Pembroke, VA · Giles County · Alleghany Highlands and New River Valley
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.9-star Google rating and is the 3rd most reviewed in the state, with 195 reviews. 91% of reviewers give it five stars. Older records also call it Cascades Waterfall. It is one of 9 named falls in the Alleghany Highlands and New River Valley region. Upper Falls is only 0.3 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Pembroke, about 4.8 miles to the southwest.
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3. Lower Whiteoak Falls
Stanley, VA · Page County · Shenandoah and the Northern Blue Ridge
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 38 reviews. 92% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 19 named falls in the Shenandoah and the Northern Blue Ridge region. Upper Whiteoak Falls is only 0.8 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Stanley, about 8.2 miles to the west.
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4. Rose River Falls
Stanley, VA · Madison County · Shenandoah and the Northern Blue Ridge
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 33 reviews. 91% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 19 named falls in the Shenandoah and the Northern Blue Ridge region. Dark Hollow Falls is only 1.2 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Stanley, about 5.9 miles to the northwest.
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5. Upper Whiteoak Falls
Stanley, VA · Page County · Shenandoah and the Northern Blue Ridge
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 25 reviews. 88% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 19 named falls in the Shenandoah and the Northern Blue Ridge region. Lower Whiteoak Falls is only 0.8 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Stanley, about 7.5 miles to the west.
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6. Cedar Run Falls
Stanley, VA · Page County · Shenandoah and the Northern Blue Ridge
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 19 reviews. It is one of 19 named falls in the Shenandoah and the Northern Blue Ridge region. Climbing Rose Falls is only 1.3 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Stanley, about 8.0 miles to the west.
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7. Tank Hollow Falls
Lebanon, VA · Russell County · Southwest Virginia and the Southern Blue Ridge
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 7th most reviewed in the state, with 62 reviews. 84% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 10 named falls in the Southwest Virginia and the Southern Blue Ridge region. The nearest town is Lebanon, about 4.9 miles to the southeast.
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8. Big Falls
Lebanon, VA · Russell County · Southwest Virginia and the Southern Blue Ridge
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 33 reviews. 91% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 10 named falls in the Southwest Virginia and the Southern Blue Ridge region. The nearest town is Lebanon, about 4.5 miles to the south.
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9. Big Falls
Pembroke, VA · Montgomery County · Alleghany Highlands and New River Valley
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 5.0 stars across 7 reviews. It is one of 9 named falls in the Alleghany Highlands and New River Valley region. The nearest town is Pembroke, about 5.5 miles to the north.
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10. Falling Spring Falls
Covington, VA · Alleghany County · Alleghany Highlands and New River Valley
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.7-star Google rating and is the 2nd most reviewed in the state, with 381 reviews. 80% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 9 named falls in the Alleghany Highlands and New River Valley region. The nearest town is Covington, about 5.7 miles to the southwest.
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11. Dark Hollow Falls
Stanley, VA · Madison County · Shenandoah and the Northern Blue Ridge
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.7-star Google rating and is the 4th most reviewed in the state, with 159 reviews. 77% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Picturesque series of cascading waterfalls over greenstone, accessible by a moderate 1.4-mi. hike." It is one of 19 named falls in the Shenandoah and the Northern Blue Ridge region. Rose River Falls is only 1.2 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Stanley, about 5.8 miles to the northwest.
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12. Apple Orchard Falls
Buchanan, VA · Botetourt County · Central Blue Ridge and the James River Highlands
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.7-star Google rating and is the 9th most reviewed in the state, with 50 reviews. 84% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 7 named falls in the Central Blue Ridge and the James River Highlands region. The nearest town is Buchanan, about 8.1 miles to the west.
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13. South River Falls
Stanardsville, VA · Greene County · Shenandoah and the Northern Blue Ridge
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.7-star Google rating and is the 10th most reviewed in the state, with 47 reviews. 77% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 19 named falls in the Shenandoah and the Northern Blue Ridge region. Dry Run Falls is only 2.0 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Stanardsville, about 6.6 miles to the southeast.
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14. Overall Run Falls
Washington, VA · Rappahannock County · Shenandoah and the Northern Blue Ridge
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.6 stars across 46 reviews. 76% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Scenic hiking trails through lush woods lead to this picturesque cascading waterfall." It is one of 19 named falls in the Shenandoah and the Northern Blue Ridge region. Greasy Falls is only 1.6 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Washington, about 8.7 miles to the southeast.
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15. Falls of Dismal
Narrows, VA · Giles County · Alleghany Highlands and New River Valley
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.6-star Google rating and is the 5th most reviewed in the state, with 88 reviews. 76% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 9 named falls in the Alleghany Highlands and New River Valley region. The nearest town is Narrows, about 11 miles to the northeast.
When to Visit Virginia's Waterfalls
Spring, from roughly March through May, is the classic season for Virginia waterfalls, when rain and snowmelt keep streams high and wildflowers bloom in the hollows of Shenandoah. Early summer still offers good flow, especially after storms, along with dense green foliage and rhododendron and mountain laurel blooms in the higher mountains. By late summer, many falls in Shenandoah and the Blue Ridge thin out considerably. Fall color usually peaks in the mountains in mid to late October, bringing heavy traffic on Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway, especially on weekends. Winter can be beautiful, with icicles and frozen falls after hard cold snaps, but ice on trails and occasional closures of mountain roads during snow and ice events can complicate access.
Before You Go
Most of Virginia's waterfalls are on public land. Shenandoah National Park requires an entrance fee, and Skyline Drive is the primary access for its falls. The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests manage most of the falls along the Blue Ridge Parkway corridor and in the Valley and Ridge, with some trailheads requiring parking fees, such as at Crabtree Falls and The Cascades. Weekends during spring and fall can bring full parking lots at popular falls, so arriving early helps. Hazards include slick rock near falls, which has led to fatal accidents at Crabtree Falls, steep return climbs, and fast water after heavy rain. Many falls have swimming holes, but water can be cold and currents strong in spring.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out.
Explore More Virginia Waterfalls
See all 48 waterfalls in the Virginia waterfall guide, or browse by town: Nellysford, Pembroke, Stanley, Lebanon, Covington, Buchanan, Stanardsville, Washington.
More Virginia Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best waterfall in Virginia?
Crabtree Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.9-star rating from 454 Google reviews. It is near Nellysford in Nelson County.
How was this list made?
We ranked the 35 publicly accessible Virginia waterfalls with at least five Google reviews by a weighted rating that balances score against review volume, so a 4.9 from a dozen reviewers counts for less than a 4.8 from thousands.
How many waterfalls are in Virginia?
Our directory lists 48 named waterfalls in Virginia. See them all, sorted by town, in the Virginia waterfall guide.
What is the tallest waterfall in Virginia?
Crabtree Falls in Nelson County is commonly described as the tallest cascading waterfall in Virginia, with five major cascades and many smaller ones dropping a total of about 1,200 feet.