June 17

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Written by Brian Bailey

June 17, 2021

Blue Ridge Parkway, Easy Hikes, Nature Walks, Swimming Holes, Waterfall Hikes

waterfalls near roanoke va yonoke

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.

waterfalls near roanoke va yonoke

1. Apple Orchard Falls

 Medium Difficulty    Waterfalls    Blue Ridge Parkway      

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...

waterfalls near roanoke va yonoke

2. Bottom Creek Gorge

 Medium Difficulty    Waterfalls    Gorge Nearby      

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

waterfalls near roanoke va yonoke

3. Cascade Falls

Swimming    Easy to Moderate    

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.

waterfalls near roanoke va yonoke

4. Fallingwater Cascades Trail

 Easy    Waterfalls    Blue Ridge Parkway       

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.

waterfalls near roanoke va yonoke

5. Roaring Run Falls

 Swimming    Easy    Picnic       

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. 

waterfalls near roanoke va yonoke

6. Blue Suck Falls

 Medium Difficulty    State Park    Nearby Lake      

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.

waterfalls near roanoke va yonoke

7. Falling Springs Falls

 Closed Trail   Overlook Open    Easy       

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.

waterfalls near roanoke va yonoke

8. Falls Ridge Preserve

 Easy    Waterfalls    Montgomery County      

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.

waterfalls near roanoke va yonoke

9. Stiles Falls

 Easy    Waterfalls    Picnic       

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. 

waterfalls near roanoke va yonoke

10. Falling Rock Falls, Virginia - Closed

 Easy    Waterfalls    Picnic       

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. 

Map to 9 Best Waterfalls Near Roanoke, Va

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