9 Best Waterfalls Near Roanoke Va
Walking Jogging Fishing Picnic Dog Walking Bird Watching
The waterfalls near Roanoke Va have magnificent views, gorges, rock crawls, and swimming holes, but sometimes the best viewing is just walking along a creek to your waterfall destination
When it comes to swimming, Cascades Falls & Roaring Run Hoop Hole Trail are the waterfalls you'll want to bring along a towel. Also if you're looking for swimming holes near Roanoke Va that don't have waterfalls, Blue Hole at Jennings Creek never disappoints.
We have compiled a list of 9 Waterfalls Near Roanoke Virginia, all within an hour and a half radius, which are great summer hikes.
Editor's Note: We try hard to be accurate in our reporting but please always use multiple references before driving to a trailhead as trail amenities and conditions can always change. All hike times are approximated using Naismith's Rule.
1. Apple Orchard Falls
200
Feet High
990
Elevation
2:00
Hike Time
2.4
Hiking Miles
Apple Orchard Falls is a great waterfall hike Roanoke that can be accessed either from the the bottom at the North Creek Area or from the Blue Ridge Parkway at the top...
2. Bottom Creek Gorge
200
Feet High
900
Elevation
2:00
Hike Time
4.8
Hiking Miles
Bottom Creek Gorge is managed by the Nature Conservancy and fits in the category of both Roanoke Hiking Waterfalls and a Nature Walk
3. Cascade Falls
66
Feet High
700
Elevation
2:00
Hike Time
4.0
Hiking Miles
Cascade Falls Day Use Area has picnicking, hiking, waterfalls and even Barney's Wall which overlooks Jefferson National Forest.
4. Fallingwater Cascades Trail
40
Feet High
420
Elevation
0:55
Hike Time
1.4
Hiking Miles
Fallingwater Cascades Trail is one of the lesser known waterfalls near Roanoke Va, in part I believe, because it is overshadowed by the incredible other hikes near Peaks of Otter.
5. Roaring Run Falls
35
Feet High
300
Elevation
1:00
Hike Time
1.5
Hiking Miles
Roaring Run Falls has a great day with a picnic area, nature walks and multiple waterfalls leading up to the primary fall. Hoop Hole Trail can also be accessed at the Roaring Run Falls Trailhead.
6. Blue Suck Falls
60
Feet High
1,700
Elevation
2:00
Hike Time
5.8
Hiking Miles
Blue Suck Falls Trail in Douthat State Park didn't disappoint despite visiting during dry season. In addition to the waterfall, the chance to visit one of Six Original Virginia State Parks couldn't be passed up. Don't let the hiking miles deter you, I believe the trail to the falls was only 3 miles round trip while the Blue Suck Trail Summit overlooking Douthat State Park was 5.8 miles round trip.
7. Falling Springs Falls
80
Feet High
n/a
Elevation
0:05
Hike Time
0.0
Hiking Miles (Overlook)
I'll be the very first person in line when Falling Springs Falls opens up again to hikers. Youtube videos like My Adventure Hat drew me towards Falling Springs Falls not knowing that the hike down to the falls was closed and only an overlook vista is available. Alleghany County was worth the drive nevertheless with multiple hot springs, warm springs & healing springs all along road 220.
8. Falls Ridge Preserve
80
Feet High
130
Elevation
0:15
Hike Time
0.8
Hiking Miles
Falls Ridge Preserve is located in Montgomery County and making this waterfall near Roanoke Va about a 40 minute road trip. From the trailhead, getting to the waterfall is less than a mile hike and you have your choice to continue going down Chamberlain Trail for a nature walk. I didn't run into any navigational problems as GPS got me there with plenty of reception (Verizon) at the trailhead.
9. Stiles Falls
40
Feet High
320
Elevation
1:00
Hike Time
3.0
Hiking Miles
Stiles Falls took me a while to reach because there's a summer camp at its base that closes the trail during certain hours. See website here for more details Altamons.org. Stiles Falls was a relaxing hour-long hike roundtrip with a stunning 40ft high waterfall at the summit. There's a chance you won't have reception at the parking lot of Alta Mons so be sure to plan your route beforehand.
10. Falling Rock Falls, Virginia - Closed
n/a
Feet High
n/a
Elevation
n/a
Hike Time
0.0
Hiking Miles
When I heard about Falling Rock Falls in Franklin County I dropped everything to go see it. There wasn't much online about the area so I went in blind. While I can't confirm with certainty that it's closed, the road that it was labeled on Google Maps was private and gated. Please comment below if you have any updates on the location or how to get there.