With the dark and gloomy winter months well in the rearview mirror, it’s time to planning time outdoors in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. This region is known for its mountain views, scenic drives, and access to some of the most memorable landscapes on the East Coast. From winding stretches of the Blue Ridge Parkway to quiet forest trails, there is no shortage of ways to explore. Among the many things to do in Virginia, chasing waterfalls stands out as a seasonal favorite. White Rock Falls is one of the best places to start.
White Rock Falls is located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, making it one of the most accessible and scenic Blue Ridge Parkway waterfalls. The drive alone sets the tone, with overlooks that give you stunning views of the Shenandoah Valley before you even set foot on the trail. For visitors looking for the best things to do in Shenandoah Valley, this hike offers both convenience and natural beauty.
Of course, these magnificent waterfalls are a mere fraction of the things you can do while visiting our relaxing cabins in Virginia. Our guests love exploring the nearby towns of Lexington and Staunton, exploring the many farms, artisans, wineries, and more along the North Rockbridge Trail, and embracing this region’s rich cultural fabric right along with its scenic natural beauty. Whether you’re chasing these waterfalls in Virginia or looking for someplace scenic to unwind and reconnect, you won’t find anything better than our cabins in Shenandoah Valley or our co-located Virginia Bed and Breakfast.
We offer guests the best of both worlds, all attached to warm, gracious, and attentive hospitality. There’s no better place to stay in Virginia than Steeles Tavern Manor. Book your room or cabin today!
Hike to White Rock Falls on the Blue Ridge Parkway
White Rock Falls, one of the many waterfalls on the Virginia portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway, is a fantastic destination for anyone staying at our Cabins in Shenandoah. This charming waterfall takes you through gorgeous scenery characteristic of the valley’s natural beauty, and it’s just 25 minutes away, making White Rock Falls an easy destination for an afternoon hike!
You’ll first need to take a short hike to access White Rock Falls. The White Rock Falls Loop Trail is about 4.5 miles, but the cascading falls and wide-open scenery you’ll enjoy once there are more than worth it. To access the trail to White Rock Falls, you’ll start at Milepost 18.5 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in the White Rock Gap Parking Area.
The total elevation gain on the White Rock Falls Trail is just 896 feet over 4.4 miles, making it a moderate trail suitable for most hikers. The trail is mostly dirt, with occasional rocks similar to those on other Blue Ridge Parkway trails.
About a mile into the hike, you’ll cross over White Rock Creek via large stones and logs. From there, you’ll begin a series of gentle switchbacks that take you up to White Rock Falls. At the end of the trail, there’s a small rock scramble to the waterfall.
Though White Rock Falls is beautiful, don’t miss your chance to enjoy the scenic vistas up here, too. One of the vistas is the Slacks Overlook, which offers a great vantage point to admire the Blue Ridge Parkway and the scenic Shenandoah Valley below. This is also a fantastic spot for a picnic!
If you’re short on time, shorter hikes, including a trail directly from the Slacks Overlook Parking Area, lead to White Rock Falls. Depending on how long you stay at the falls, you can expect to spend anywhere from 2 to 3 hours hiking the White Rock Falls Loop.
White Rock Falls is beautiful, but it’s not the only waterfall worth seeing while you stay with us in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley! Crabtree Falls is another one of our local favorites, and we love to send guests there with a packed picnic. It’s one of the most impressive waterfalls in the state, dropping in multiple sections over 1,200 feet. The overall vertical drop makes it one of the highest east of the Mississippi, and it’s just 25 minutes from our cabins!
The hike to Crabtree Falls is about 2.5 miles round-trip, and though it’s relatively moderate, the trail is sometimes steep and rocky. The first part of the trail is gently sloped, paved, and accessible, and offers a very quick and rewarding glimpse of the falls if you don’t feel up to the entire hike. But, like hikes, there are so many more waterfalls in Virginia worth seeing. We’ve compiled a list of more favorites below!
- If you want to see waterfalls in Shenandoah National Park, start at Whiteoak Canyon, where you’ll find six waterfalls and great hiking.
- The tallest waterfall in Shenandoah National Park, standing at 93 feet, is Overall Run Falls.
- For a quick and easy waterfall just off Skyline Drive, head to Dark Hollow Falls, a classic stair-stepping waterfall.
- Another great stop on Skyline Drive is Doyles River Falls, which we recommend combining with Jones Run Falls, both in Shenandoah National Park.
- There are also incredible Blue Ridge Parkway waterfalls to admire, including Mine Bank Cascades in the Saint Mary’s Wilderness.
- One of the most popular waterfalls in Virginia along the Blue Ridge Parkway is Apple Orchard Falls. It has an impressive 200-foot drop.
- Falling Water Cascades, part of the Flat Top National Recreation Trail, is a 100-foot waterfall that won’t disappoint.
- Staton’s Creek Falls is another of the most impressive waterfalls in Virginia, tumbling 140 feet in multiple stages.
- Another of our favorite waterfalls in Virginia is Lace Falls, found at Natural Bridge State Park.
Wherever your waterfall adventures take you, whether to White Rock Falls or one of these other impressive waterfalls in Virginia, there’s no better place to come home to after your adventure than our stunning cabins. Book your cabin today!
