9 Blue Ridge Parkway Waterfalls: A Hiking Travel Guide
Updated: Jan 9
Contents
Introduction
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469 mile-long road that stretches from Virginia to North Carolina.
It is a federal parkway, meaning it is protected by the National Park Service much like your favorite national parks.
Growing up in southwest Virginia, driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway with friends was a favored pastime, and it allowed you to escape the traffic of urban highways to take a more scenic route through both open fields and mountainous forests.
Not only does it offer an alternate route, but this parkway also makes for a beautiful road trip in which hiking its many trails can give you a break from driving and provide some spectacular views.
Another great thing about the Blue Ridge Parkway is that there are no entry fees to this route, so you can drive as long as you want for just the price of gas.
In this article, I have put together a list of 9 Blue Ridge Parkway waterfalls that you can hike to if you're interested in traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Virginia Blue Ridge Parkway Waterfalls
Let's start in my home state of Virginia for this list, as Virginia is also where the north end of the Blue Ridge Parkway is located.
Dark Hollow Falls
Location: Shenandoah National Park
Trail Distance: 1.4 miles roundtrip
Trail Difficulty: Moderate
Waterfall Height: 70ft.
The Dark Hollow Falls trail is one of the most popular Blue Ridge Parkway waterfall hikes in Virginia.
It is conveniently located near Big Meadows Lodge and the Skyland Resort which are both popular accommodations along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Although it is a short hike, it increases significantly in elevation so there are several steep sections of this hike.
It is also worth noting that pets are not allowed on this trail, so leave your fur babies at home for this one.
Jones Run Falls
Location: Shenandoah National Park
Trail Distance: 3.6 miles roundtrip
Trail Difficulty: Moderate
Waterfall Height: 42ft.
Another popular Blue Ridge Parkway waterfall hike in Shenandoah National Park is the Jones Run Falls trail.
This trail is a little over an hour drive from Big Meadows Lodge and Skyland Resort, but you can also stay at the Lewis Mountains Cabins to make the drive a little shorter.
If you are willing to make your hike a few miles longer, you can also add Doyles River Falls to your spectacle.
Unlike the aforementioned Dark Hollow Falls, Jones Run Falls is pet-friendly.
Crabtree Falls (VA)
Location: George Washington National Forest
Trail Distance: 3.4 miles roundtrip
Trail Difficulty: Moderate
Waterfall Height: 1200ft. total
Crabtree Falls in George Washington National Forest, Virginia is considered to be the tallest waterfall system east of the Mississippi River.
There are multiple cascades that make up Crabtree Falls, and they total to a height of 1200 feet!
The trail to access the first overlook is paved and relatively easy, with other overlooks having to be reached by substantial elevation increases.
The closest town to the falls is Montebello, Virginia.
Crabtree Falls aren't exactly on the Blue Ridge Parkway, so you will need to exit the Blue Ridge Parkway and travel a few miles down highway 56 to access the trail.
Click here for more information about the Crabtree Falls Day Use Area.
Apple Orchard Falls
Location: Buchanan, Botetourt County, VA
Trail Distance: 2.4 miles roundtrip
Trail Difficulty: Strenous
Waterfall Height: 200ft.
Off of mile marker 78 of the Blue Ridge Parkway, you'll find a trailhead that leads to Apple Orchard Falls.
This hike is more difficult than some of the others I have mentioned in this article, as you will decrease in elevation over 1000 feet.
This means you will then have to make your way back up this elevation on the return hike.
However, the view of this beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway waterfall will be well worth the hike when you see the cascade of over 200 feet.
North Carolina Blue Ridge Parkway Waterfalls
For the remainder of this list, I am going to transition to the Blue Ridge Parkway waterfalls on the North Carolina side.
North Carolina is where the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway is located.
Linville Falls
Location: Marion, NC
Trail Distance: 1.6 miles roundtrip
Trail Difficulty: Moderate
Waterfall Height: 45ft.
Linville Falls can be observed by several different overlooks between mile markers 316 and 317 of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The falls cascade in the North Carolina side of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
There are moderate and more challenging hies that allow you to view the falls.
The Linville Falls are only a little over an hour north of Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and they are some of the most popular falls in North Carolina.
Upper Whitewater Falls
Location: Sapphire, NC
Trail Distance: 1.5 miles roundtrip
Trail Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Waterfall Height: 400ft.
The Upper Whitewater Falls are some of the tallest falls on the east coast dropping over 400 feet!
They can be reached by a relatively easy hike to both the upper and lower viewing platforms, though the upper platform is generally considered the best viewing spot for the falls.
You will need to exit the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile marker 411.8 to access the parking lot for the trailhead.
Douglas Falls
Location: Barnardsville, Buncombe County, NC
Trail Distance: 8 miles roundtrip
Trail Difficulty: Strenuous
Waterfall Height: 70ft.
The Douglas Falls are located in the Big Ivy of Pisgah National Forest.
One hike to Douglas Falls is 8 miles roundtrip via the Craggy Gardens trail, so you might want to make a day of this one and plan accordingly.
This trailhead is located at mile 363.4 of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Alternatively, you can take FS (Forest Service) Road 74 to a paved road where you can drive to see the falls.
I would recommend this route for less experienced hikers.
Roaring Fork Falls
Location: Burnsville, NC
Trail Distance: 1.4 miles roundtrip
Trail Difficulty: Easy
Waterfall Height: 100ft.
The Roaring Fork Falls trailhead can be found a little over 2 miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway via NC-80, exiting the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile 344.
This trail can be enjoyed by anyone, as it is an easy hike down a mostly flat service road.
Setrock Creek Falls
Location: Burnsville, NC
Trail Distance: 1 mile roundtrip
Trail Difficulty: Easy
Waterfall Height: 75ft.
The hike to Setrock Creek Falls is another easy trail to navigate for anyone at only 1 mile roundtrip.
The trailhead for Setrock Creek Falls is located past Mt. Mitchell Trail across the bridge from Black Mountain Campground.
If traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway, you will exit at mile 344, the same exit you will take for Roaring Fork Falls.
Conclusion
The Blue Ridge Parkway from Virginia to North Carolina offers views of towering mountains, open fields, diverse wildlife, and beautiful vegetation.
You can make an entire road trip out of driving the Blue Ridge Parkway, and if you're so inclined, you can stop and hike to the most popular Blue Ridge Parkway waterfalls that I have mentioned in this article.
As always, thank you for reading, and I hope this has provided you with a sufficient resource for your next Blue Ridge Parkway trip.
