10 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Virginia (2026 Updated)
Ranked by what visitors photograph and rate five stars, these are the 10 most beautiful of Virginia's 48 named waterfalls, starting with Crabtree Falls. The list spans the Central Blue Ridge and the James River Highlands, Shenandoah and the Northern Blue Ridge, and Alleghany Highlands and New River Valley.
How We Picked
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 34 publicly accessible Virginia waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Crabtree Falls
Nellysford, VA · Nelson County · Central Blue Ridge and the James River Highlands
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 1,998 photos of it on Google, about 4.4 for every review. 89% of its 454 reviewers rate it five stars (4.9 average). Its listing describes it as: "5 major cascades & a number of smaller ones that fall a total distance of 1,200 ft." The setting includes The Priest (summit, 1.8 mi). It is one of 7 named falls in the Central Blue Ridge and the James River Highlands region. The nearest town is Nellysford, about 12 miles to the east.
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2. Dark Hollow Falls
Stanley, VA · Madison County · Shenandoah and the Northern Blue Ridge
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 648 photos of it on Google, about 4.1 for every review. 77% of its 159 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). Its listing describes it as: "Picturesque series of cascading waterfalls over greenstone, accessible by a moderate 1.4-mi. hike." The setting includes Stony Mountain (summit, 0.5 mi) and Fishers Gap (gap, 1.0 mi). It is one of 19 named falls in the Shenandoah and the Northern Blue Ridge region. The nearest town is Stanley, about 5.8 miles to the northwest.
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3. Cascades
Pembroke, VA · Giles County · Alleghany Highlands and New River Valley
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 393 photos of it on Google, about 2.0 for every review. 91% of its 195 reviewers rate it five stars (4.9 average). The setting includes Barneys Wall (cliff, 0.4 mi) and Pacers Gap (gap, 0.6 mi). It is one of 9 named falls in the Alleghany Highlands and New River Valley region. The nearest town is Pembroke, about 4.8 miles to the southwest.
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4. Falling Spring Falls
Covington, VA · Alleghany County · Alleghany Highlands and New River Valley
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 1,008 photos of it on Google, about 2.6 for every review. 80% of its 381 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). The setting includes Big Knob (summit, 1.7 mi). It is one of 9 named falls in the Alleghany Highlands and New River Valley region. The nearest town is Covington, about 5.7 miles to the southwest.
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5. Overall Run Falls
Washington, VA · Rappahannock County · Shenandoah and the Northern Blue Ridge
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 230 photos of it on Google, about 5.0 for every review. 76% of its 46 reviewers rate it five stars (4.6 average). Its listing describes it as: "Scenic hiking trails through lush woods lead to this picturesque cascading waterfall." It is one of 19 named falls in the Shenandoah and the Northern Blue Ridge region. The nearest town is Washington, about 8.7 miles to the southeast.
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6. Lower Whiteoak Falls
Stanley, VA · Page County · Shenandoah and the Northern Blue Ridge
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 200 photos of it on Google, about 5.3 for every review. 92% of its 38 reviewers rate it five stars (4.9 average). It is one of 19 named falls in the Shenandoah and the Northern Blue Ridge region. The nearest town is Stanley, about 8.2 miles to the west.
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7. Rose River Falls
Stanley, VA · Madison County · Shenandoah and the Northern Blue Ridge
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 226 photos of it on Google, about 6.8 for every review. 91% of its 33 reviewers rate it five stars (4.9 average). The setting includes Fishers Gap (gap, 0.7 mi) and Franklin Cliffs (cliff, 0.8 mi). It is one of 19 named falls in the Shenandoah and the Northern Blue Ridge region. The nearest town is Stanley, about 5.9 miles to the northwest.
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8. Tank Hollow Falls
Lebanon, VA · Russell County · Southwest Virginia and the Southern Blue Ridge
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 273 photos of it on Google, about 4.4 for every review. 84% of its 62 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). The setting includes Tank Hollow (valley, 0.1 mi) and Back Valley (valley, 1.9 mi). It is one of 10 named falls in the Southwest Virginia and the Southern Blue Ridge region. The nearest town is Lebanon, about 4.9 miles to the southeast.
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9. Upper Whiteoak Falls
Stanley, VA · Page County · Shenandoah and the Northern Blue Ridge
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 174 photos of it on Google, about 7.0 for every review. 88% of its 25 reviewers rate it five stars (4.9 average). It is one of 19 named falls in the Shenandoah and the Northern Blue Ridge region. The nearest town is Stanley, about 7.5 miles to the west.
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10. Falls of Dismal
Narrows, VA · Giles County · Alleghany Highlands and New River Valley
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 299 photos of it on Google, about 3.4 for every review. 76% of its 88 reviewers rate it five stars (4.6 average). The setting includes Double Mountain (summit, 0.8 mi) and Walnut Flats (lake, 0.9 mi). It is one of 9 named falls in the Alleghany Highlands and New River Valley region. The nearest town is Narrows, about 11 miles to the northeast.
When to Visit Virginia's Waterfalls
Spring, from roughly March through May, is the classic season for Virginia waterfalls, when rain and snowmelt keep streams high and wildflowers bloom in the hollows of Shenandoah. Early summer still offers good flow, especially after storms, along with dense green foliage and rhododendron and mountain laurel blooms in the higher mountains. By late summer, many falls in Shenandoah and the Blue Ridge thin out considerably. Fall color usually peaks in the mountains in mid to late October, bringing heavy traffic on Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway, especially on weekends. Winter can be beautiful, with icicles and frozen falls after hard cold snaps, but ice on trails and occasional closures of mountain roads during snow and ice events can complicate access.
Before You Go
Most of Virginia's waterfalls are on public land. Shenandoah National Park requires an entrance fee, and Skyline Drive is the primary access for its falls. The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests manage most of the falls along the Blue Ridge Parkway corridor and in the Valley and Ridge, with some trailheads requiring parking fees, such as at Crabtree Falls and The Cascades. Weekends during spring and fall can bring full parking lots at popular falls, so arriving early helps. Hazards include slick rock near falls, which has led to fatal accidents at Crabtree Falls, steep return climbs, and fast water after heavy rain. Many falls have swimming holes, but water can be cold and currents strong in spring.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out. For better pictures, see our waterfall photography tips.
Explore More Virginia Waterfalls
See all 48 waterfalls in the Virginia waterfall guide, or browse by town: Nellysford, Stanley, Pembroke, Covington, Washington, Lebanon, Narrows.
More Virginia Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most beautiful waterfall in Virginia?
Crabtree Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.9-star rating from 454 Google reviews. It is near Nellysford in Nelson County.
How was this list made?
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 34 publicly accessible Virginia waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views.
How many waterfalls are in Virginia?
Our directory lists 48 named waterfalls in Virginia. See them all, sorted by town, in the Virginia waterfall guide.
Which part of Virginia has the most waterfalls?
The northern Blue Ridge, especially Page, Madison and Rockingham counties in and around Shenandoah National Park, has the densest concentration. Giles County and the Crabtree Falls area are other important clusters.