These are the Virginia waterfalls that draw the biggest crowds, measured by Google review volume and led by Crabtree Falls. Popular does not have to mean packed if you time it right.
For every waterfall we track nearby, see the full list of waterfalls in Virginia, or browse by town: Nellysford, Covington, Pembroke, Stanley, Narrows. You can also compare our best waterfalls in Virginia and most beautiful waterfalls in Virginia.
How we picked: Ranked purely by the number of Google reviews, the best public signal of how many people visit. Together these five account for 65% of all Google reviews of Virginia waterfalls.
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1. Crabtree Falls
Crabtree Falls near Nellysford takes the top spot, rated 4.9 out of 5 from 454 reviews. Visitors come here for Crabtree Falls, uphill hike, and elevation gain.
Nelson County, VA 22976 (GPS 37.8432, -79.0745)
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454 Google reviews make it the most visited waterfall in Virginia, about 23% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. That is 1.2 times as many as Falling Spring Falls in second place. Visitors have shared 1,998 photos of it. It averages 4.9 stars, with 89% five-star reviews. "5 major cascades & a number of smaller ones that fall a total distance of 1,200 ft." Reviews most often mention Crabtree Falls, uphill hike, and elevation gain. The nearest town is Nellysford, about 12 miles to the east.
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2. Falling Spring Falls
Falling Spring Falls, near Covington, is next up, rated 4.7 out of 5 from 381 reviews.
Alleghany County, VA 24445 (GPS 37.8677, -79.9478)
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381 Google reviews make it number 2 in Virginia, about 19% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 1,008 photos of it. It averages 4.7 stars, with 80% five-star reviews. The nearest town is Covington, about 5.7 miles to the southwest.
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3. Cascades
Cascades, near Pembroke, is next up, rated 4.9 out of 5 from 195 reviews.
Giles County, VA 24150 (GPS 37.3673, -80.5759)
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195 Google reviews make it number 3 in Virginia, about 10% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 393 photos of it. It averages 4.9 stars, with 91% five-star reviews. The nearest town is Pembroke, about 4.8 miles to the southwest.
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4. Dark Hollow Falls
Dark Hollow Falls near Stanley rounds out this stretch of the list, rated 4.7 out of 5 from 159 reviews.
Madison County, VA 22743 (GPS 38.5190, -78.4233)
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159 Google reviews make it number 4 in Virginia, about 8% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 648 photos of it. It averages 4.7 stars, with 77% five-star reviews. "Picturesque series of cascading waterfalls over greenstone, accessible by a moderate 1.4-mi. hike." The nearest town is Stanley, about 5.8 miles to the northwest.
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5. Falls of Dismal
Falls of Dismal near Narrows rounds out this stretch of the list, rated 4.6 out of 5 from 88 reviews.
Giles County, VA 24134 (GPS 37.1885, -80.9004)
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88 Google reviews make it number 5 in Virginia, about 4% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 299 photos of it. It averages 4.6 stars, with 76% five-star reviews. The nearest town is Narrows, about 11 miles to the northeast.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most visited 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?
Ranked purely by the number of Google reviews, the best public signal of how many people visit. Together these five account for 65% of all Google reviews of Virginia waterfalls.
How many waterfalls are in Virginia?
Our directory lists 48 waterfalls in Virginia. See every one, with filters and a map, on the Virginia waterfalls page.
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.
Summary
Crabtree Falls near Nellysford is our top pick for most visited waterfalls in Virginia, rated 4.9 out of 5 from 454 reviews. Ratings and review counts reflect public data at the time of writing and can change, and trail access, water levels and road conditions vary through the year, so confirm current conditions before you drive out.
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.
For more options, see every waterfall on the Virginia waterfalls page, read 15 Best Waterfalls in Virginia, or check our waterfall safety tips before you go.