Waterfall Hikes Near McDowell, VA

45 residents
New York Time Zone
16 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Looking for the best waterfalls to hike near McDowell? There are 16 waterfall hiking trails within a 50-mile radius of McDowell. These trails range from easy to moderate difficulty, providing options for both casual hikers and experienced adventurers looking to explore the region's natural beauty.

Located at 38.3375°N, -79.4994°W

Map of Waterfalls Near McDowell

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

15 of 16 gauged

15 waterfalls near McDowell have live flow data today

Blackwater Falls Moderate Blue Suck Falls Barely Flowing Falling Spring Falls Barely Flowing Cedar Falls Moderate Jones Run Falls Moderate Crabtree Falls Barely Flowing Dry Run Falls Low South River Falls Low Falls of Hills Creek Moderate Falls of Seneca Moderate Gibbs Falls Moderate Glenn Falls Moderate Panther Falls Low Statons Creek Falls Low

Updated 27 minutes ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Thursday

Sunny · 99°F

Wed 94°F Patchy Fog then Sunny
Thu 99°F Sunny Best
Fri 96°F Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Ind 95°F Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sun 91°F Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mon 88°F Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Tue 85°F Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Flowing best right now near McDowell

Updated about 1 hour ago

Ranked by live stream-gauge flow versus each waterfall's seasonal normal.

  1. 1 Falls of Hills Creek Moderate · 310 cfs 69th percentile
  2. 2 Blackwater Falls Moderate · 158 cfs 59th percentile
  3. 3 Gibbs Falls Moderate · 28 cfs 42nd percentile
  4. 4 Glenn Falls Moderate · 28 cfs 42nd percentile
  5. 5 Falls of Seneca Moderate · 47 cfs 33rd percentile
  6. 6 Cedar Falls Moderate · 252 cfs 29th percentile

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near McDowell hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Find waterfalls to hike near McDowell

Have your own travel site? Embed these waterfalls for free.

🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near McDowell (2 waterfalls)

Easy access waterfalls are drive-up or short-walk friendly. Perfect for families, casual visitors, or anyone who loves waterfalls but is "so-so" about hiking.

🐕 Dog-Friendly Waterfall Hikes Around McDowell (13 waterfalls)

Bring your four-legged friend along! These waterfalls welcome dogs on their trails.

Gibbs Falls waterfall

Gibbs Falls

35.8 miles away
Virginia
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
High Falls waterfall

High Falls

47.1 miles away
West Virginia
Moderate
6.8 miles 800 ft
Blue Suck Falls waterfall

Blue Suck Falls

7.2 miles away
Virginia
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Whitaker Falls

42.1 miles away
West Virginia
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

All 16 Waterfalls Near McDowell

Falls of Seneca waterfall

Falls of Seneca

39.3 miles away
West Virginia
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Gibbs Falls waterfall

Gibbs Falls

35.8 miles away
Virginia
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
High Falls waterfall

High Falls

47.1 miles away
West Virginia
Moderate
6.8 miles 800 ft
Glenn Falls waterfall CC

Glenn Falls

40.4 miles away
Virginia
Moderate
2.0 miles 500 ft
Blue Suck Falls waterfall

Blue Suck Falls

7.2 miles away
Virginia
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Whitaker Falls

42.1 miles away
West Virginia
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Statons Creek Falls waterfall

Statons Creek Falls

45.5 miles away
Virginia
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Blackwater Falls waterfall

Blackwater Falls

25.2 miles away
West Virginia
Easy
0.4 miles 100 ft
Jones Run Falls waterfall

Jones Run Falls

45.1 miles away
In Shenandoah National Park
Virginia
Moderate
3.4 miles 915 ft
Panther Falls waterfall

Panther Falls

40.2 miles away
Virginia
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Falling Spring Falls waterfall

Falling Spring Falls

42.1 miles away
Virginia
Easy
0.4 miles 100 ft
Crabtree Falls waterfall

Crabtree Falls

49.2 miles away
Virginia
Moderate
3.8 miles 1,073 ft
Cedar Falls waterfall

Cedar Falls

47.2 miles away
In Shenandoah National Park
Virginia
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Falls of Hills Creek waterfall

Falls of Hills Creek

43.5 miles away
West Virginia
Moderate
1.3 miles 200 ft
Dry Run Falls waterfall

Dry Run Falls

46.5 miles away
In Shenandoah National Park
Virginia
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
South River Falls waterfall

South River Falls

46.3 miles away
In Shenandoah National Park
Virginia
Moderate
4.8 miles 1,200 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near McDowell

Are there free waterfalls near McDowell?

There are 8 free waterfalls near McDowell, including Blackwater Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near McDowell?

There are 2 easy waterfall hikes near McDowell, including Blackwater Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in McDowell?

There are 13 dog-friendly waterfalls near McDowell, including Blackwater Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near McDowell?

There are 12 kid-friendly waterfalls near McDowell, including Blackwater Falls.

Can you swim in any waterfalls near McDowell?

There is 1 waterfall that allows swimming near McDowell, including Panther Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near McDowell?

The shortest waterfall hike near McDowell is Blackwater Falls at 0.4 miles round trip.

How tall are the waterfalls near McDowell?

The tallest waterfall near McDowell is Crabtree Falls at 1,200 feet.

Can I camp near the waterfalls around McDowell?

Yes, 16 waterfalls near McDowell have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to McDowell?

The closest waterfall to McDowell is Falls of Seneca, approximately 23.9 miles away.

🏙️ Other Cities Near McDowell With Waterfalls

Staunton, VA
25,581 residents
Harrisonburg, VA
73,160 residents
Stuarts Draft, VA
11,554 residents
Waynesboro, VA
22,341 residents
Forest, VA
11,559 residents
Charlottesville, VA
103,760 residents
Lynchburg, VA
128,849 residents
Madison Heights, VA
10,694 residents
Timberlake, VA
12,999 residents
Hollins, VA
16,386 residents
Lake Monticello, VA
10,834 residents
Culpeper, VA
20,105 residents

Nearby Hot Springs

Hot springs near McDowell, Virginia

Bragg Spring

11.2 mi 75°F

Bragg Spring produces 75-degree water that flows 24.4 degrees above ambient temperature at 2,508 feet elevation in Highland Cou...

Bolar Spring

13.2 mi 73°F

Bolar Spring flows at 73°F near Warm Springs in Bath County, Virginia, emerging 22 degrees above the 51°F ambient temperature a...

Thorn Spring

19.3 mi 72°F

Thorn Spring flows at 72°F from Thorn Spring Park, a non-profit owned property just 14.5 meters from the road in Pendleton Coun...

Rockbridge Baths

23.1 mi 72°F

Rockbridge Baths emerges at 72 degrees Fahrenheit, flowing 18.9 degrees above ambient temperature at 1,807 feet elevation in Ro...
Warm Springs

Warm Springs

25.7 mi 95°F

Warm Springs flows at 95 degrees Fahrenheit, producing water 43.7 degrees above ambient temperature at 2,335 feet elevation in ...
Minnehaha Springs

Minnehaha Springs

28.6 mi 70°F

Minnehaha Springs flows at 70°F from a roadside location just 27.5 meters from State Route 92 in Pocahontas County, West Virgin...

Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near McDowell, Virginia on SoakingSprings.

Explore Virginia springs

Where to Stay

Hotels & Lodges Booking.com

Find hotels, lodges, and B&Bs near the trailhead
Cabins & Rentals VRBO

Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Glamping Hipcamp

Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
RV Rentals Outdoorsy

Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip

Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

← → walk · Esc to stop