Waterfalls in Virginia

Overview of waterfalls in Virginia

Great Falls Park is an NPS site in Fairfax County, about 15 miles from Washington, DC. There the Potomac drops about 76 feet in less than a mile, per Wikipedia. Dark Hollow Falls is a 70-foot series of cascades on a steep 1.4-mile round trip from Skyline Drive. Virginia Tourism promotes Crabtree Falls as 1,200 feet tall, though Wikipedia says topographic maps suggest about 1,000 feet.

Dog and swimming rules also differ at each falls, and the sections below compare them.

Which fee or pass applies where

Each Virginia falls on this site has its own fee, but an America the Beautiful pass covers all three.

Great Falls Park: $15 per motorcycle, or $10 per person on foot, bike or horse (ages 15 and under free). The park does not take cash, so bring a card or buy a digital pass on Recreation.gov.

Shenandoah (Dark Hollow Falls): $25 per motorcycle, or $15 per person age 16 and older on foot or bike; under 16 free. The park has been fully cashless since July 1, 2025. There is no extra fee for the hike.

NPS fee-free days, the last of 2026 on November 11, apply at both Great Falls Park and Shenandoah, for US citizens and residents only.

Crabtree Falls: the Forest Service lists a $3 day-use fee per vehicle per day. Its page doesn't say which year the rate applies to.

Waterfalls near Washington, DC

Great Falls Park is in Fairfax County, about 15 miles from Washington, DC. Its three overlooks are each a 5 to 10 minute walk from the Visitor Center. The lots fill quickly on nice weekends and holidays from late spring through early fall, so arrive early, as NPS suggests.

Virginia waterfalls by area

Each of the three Virginia falls on this site is in a different part of the state; Great Falls Park has its own section above.

Shenandoah National Park

Dark Hollow Falls is a 70-foot series of cascades near Big Meadows, with parking at Skyline Drive mile 50.7. The 1.4-mile round trip goes 0.75 mile down to the falls and back up the same way, with 440 feet of climbing. Pets are not allowed on the trail.

Crabtree Falls in Nelson County

Crabtree Falls is at the Crabtree Falls Day Use Area on VA Route 56 in George Washington National Forest. A short paved path reaches the first overlook. Above it, the Forest Service describes a moderate 2.7-mile trail, and Nelson County tourism calls the main trail about 3 miles round trip and strenuous.

Virginia waterfalls without a long hike

Two of the Virginia falls on this site can be seen after a short walk with accessible options.

• Great Falls Park: the three overlooks are a 5 to 10 minute walk from the Visitor Center. Overlooks 2 and 3 have ramps and flat gravel paths, and Overlook 1 has steps and rocks.
• Crabtree Falls: a short paved path reaches a universally accessible first overlook, per the Forest Service.

Dark Hollow Falls is only 1.4 miles round trip, but NPS says the trail does not meet ADA accessibility guidelines, and the climb comes on the way back.

Swimming, dogs and safety at Virginia waterfalls

Swimming rules differ at each Virginia falls: banned at Great Falls Park, allowed in Shenandoah streams and unstated at Crabtree Falls.

Great Falls Park: swimming and wading are prohibited anywhere in the park. NPS warns of underwater sieves, hydraulics, swift water and deep potholes. In summer 2026, after several drownings in local waterways, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue patrolled the river near Great Falls to warn visitors, WJLA reported. Dogs are allowed on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times, but not in the Visitor Center or on ranger programs.

Dark Hollow Falls: NPS allows swimming in park streams, but most are shallow, rocky and very cold, and NPS says never to climb on or around waterfalls. Pets are not allowed on Dark Hollow Falls Trail. The Rose River Loop nearby allows pets on a leash of 6 feet or less.

Crabtree Falls: we found no official swimming rule. The Forest Service allows dogs on a leash of 6 feet or less, under physical control. The Forest Service warns that leaving the trail 'has resulted in numerous fatalities due to extraordinarily slippery conditions.'

Wikipedia cites about 30 deaths since the Forest Service began tracking in 1982, and WJLA reported a fatal fall in May 2025 after hikers crossed the safety railing.

Our waterfall safety guide covers slick rock and moving water in more depth.

Virginia waterfall closures and conditions (Oct 2026)

Great Falls Park is open. NPS notes that one section of the Difficult Run Trail is washed out, and that flooding can close trail sections after storms. Hours are 7am to 30 minutes after sunset daily, and the park closes on December 25.

Shenandoah's alerts feed had no alert for Dark Hollow Falls or the Big Meadows area on October 25, 2026. As of October 25, 2026, the park emergency line had been out of service since October 10, so call 911. In 2026, Byrd Visitor Center at Big Meadows ends its season on November 29.

On October 29, 2026, the Forest Service page showed Crabtree Falls as open, with only a general prohibitions alert. It is a year-round, day-use site, open sunrise to sunset. Call the Glenwood-Pedlar Ranger District at 540-291-2188 to confirm conditions.

Planning your Virginia waterfall hikes

At Great Falls, the lots fill quickly on nice weekends and holidays from late spring through early fall. NPS says there is usually a line to enter on nice weekend afternoons, and when the lots fill it closes the entrance road; closures can last an hour. NPS suggests arriving early.

NPS calls Great Falls Overlook 3 the best view. You can also see the falls from Maryland via the C&O Canal park, but no bridge links the two sides.

At Dark Hollow, the trail goes downhill first, so the 440 feet of climbing comes on the way back. Park at Skyline Drive mile 50.7.

Virginia waterfalls FAQ