Is swimming allowed at Beaverdam Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Beaverdam Falls.

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Beaverdam Falls near White Sulphur Springs, Virginia, showing about 104 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing east

LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP

Nearby gauge (Potts Creek) · 30 ft³/s · Lower than usual

Beaverdam Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Beaverdam Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Beaverdam Falls.

Q: Are there fees or permits required for Beaverdam Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Beaverdam Falls. A permit is also required. A reservation acts as a permit to access the property. Visitors must book in advance and follow all guidelines provided by the property owner.

Virginia

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Before you go

Beaverdam Falls appears to be on private land, and no public trail or access point is documented. Do not enter without the landowner's permission.

About Beaverdam Falls

Beaverdam Falls is a USGS-named waterfall on Sweet Spring Creek near its junction with Cove Creek in southwestern Alleghany County, Virginia, southwest of Covington. Federal protected-area records show no public land at the site, and we found no public trail, parking area or published access rules. Its height is not documented.

Trail & Hike Details

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Beaverdam Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required
Permit required
A reservation acts as a permit to access the property. Visitors must book in advance and follow all guidelines provided by the property owner.

🏊 Is There Swimming at Beaverdam Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and fall are ideal times to visit, as the weather is mild, and the surrounding foliage enhances the beauty of the area. Summer is also popular, but it may be busier.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Barely Flowing

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Potts Creek, 11.6 miles away, not on Beaverdam Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

30 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

28 31 112 184

Based on 89 years of record

2.07 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is lower than usual for this time of year.

About This Gauge

This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.

POTTS CREEK NEAR COVINGTON, VA

USGS 02014000

11.6 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 153 sq mi

Altitude: 1,273 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge POTTS CREEK NEAR COVINGTON, VA (19 km away).

Moderate confidence

Barely Flowing right now

30 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Barely Flowing

30 cfs

5/10

Tomorrow

Barely Flowing

29 cfs

5/10

Thu

Barely Flowing

35 cfs

3/10

Fri

Barely Flowing

31 cfs

4/10

Sat

Barely Flowing

29 cfs

5/10

Sun

Barely Flowing

31 cfs

5/10

Mon

Barely Flowing

30 cfs

5/10

Best window: Today — barely flowing flow, sunny (trip score 5/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early February to late April, peaking in March.

How we calculate this

This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.

Know when to go.

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

Is Beaverdam Falls Frozen?

Updated about 8 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately

Beaverdam Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 61°F to 45°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 30 ft³/s

Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.

Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Virginia.

Weather Forecast

The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR

Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.

1-meter lidar measures about 104 feet of descent through Beaverdam Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. The brink sits at about 1,795 feet above sea level.

The ground changes about 116 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 39 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face east and catch soft morning light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Beaverdam Falls near White Sulphur Springs, Virginia, for comparison with the lidar view

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Ground elevation: 1,795 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 104 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: East; Catches soft morning light.

Ground profile through the falls

A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading east).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

The falls are on Sweet Spring Creek about 0.2 mile from Cove Creek Road (State Route 603) and about 0.4 mile from State Route 311. We found no public trailhead or parking for the falls.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Elevation

1,798 feet above sea level

Coordinates

37.670680° N, -80.240896° W

Visitor Tips & Gear

Where to Stay

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

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Nearby Campground

STEEL BRIDGE CAMPGROUND

5.1 miles away · 3 sites

Reservable

Overview Steel Bridge Group Campground provides old-fashioned, rustic group camping for those that require few amenities. There are three well shaded camping sites for available for small group camping. Recreation Steel Bridge Group Camping provides old-fashioned, rustic group and family camping. Visitors enjoy splashing in the cool water of Potts Creek that edges the campground. Potts Creek is a stocked trout stream and has a small swimming hole as well as many rock ledges and small falls to pla

Book on Recreation.gov