Big Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Easy
Trail Length
2.4 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Big Falls
Big Falls is a waterfall on Big Cedar Creek inside Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve, a state preserve managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation about 6 road miles north of Lebanon in Russell County. The falls form where the creek passes over several layers of erosion-resistant sandstone, with cascades just upstream. The blue-blazed Big Cedar Creek Trail reaches the falls from the preserve parking area, crossing a swinging footbridge at the start, for an easy hike of about 2.4 miles round trip.
The Setting
Big Falls sits at 1,654 feet within Pinnacle State Natural Area Preserve, in the hills of Virginia.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
From the parking area, climb a few stairs and cross the suspension footbridge over Big Cedar Creek, then follow the blue-blazed Big Cedar Creek Trail upstream, partly along a gravel access road. Stay straight at the Grapevine Hill Trail junction (about 0.4 mile) and turn left uphill at the junction near the picnic shelter (about 0.9 mile), passing Sykes Cemetery. The first cascades come into view near the 1-mile mark, and a short spur on the right leads down to Big Falls, about 2.4 miles round trip. The trail continues about another half mile to the Clinch River if you want a longer walk of about 3.1 miles round trip.
What to Expect
Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Big Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on Virginia natural area preserves but must be kept on a leash at all times.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Big Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and fall are the best times to visit due to pleasant weather and vibrant foliage. Summer is also a good option, but the trail may be more crowded.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Water temperature is currently 50°F — cold enough to cause numbness quickly. Avoid prolonged water contact and use caution near the falls.
The suspension bridge at the start sways and is reached by stairs. Rocks near the falls are slippery, and swimming is not authorized on DCR natural area preserves. Cell service may be limited.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Clinch River, 5.7 miles away, not on Big Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
154 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 106 years of record
1.69 ft
Water depth at gauge
50°F
Very coldExpect numbness within minutes
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average for this time of year. Water temperature is very cold at 50 degrees F, expect numbness within minutes. Mineral content is typical.
Water Quality
Conductance
Dissolved minerals in the water
About This Gauge
This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge CLINCH RIVER AT CLEVELAND, VA (9 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
154 cfs
5/10Tomorrow
Barely Flowing
153 cfs
5/10Thu
Barely Flowing
157 cfs
3/10Fri
Low
145 cfs
4/10Sat
Low
144 cfs
4/10Sun
Barely Flowing
149 cfs
5/10Mon
Barely Flowing
142 cfs
5/10Best window: Today — barely flowing flow, sunny (trip score 5/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late January to mid April, peaking in February.
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 Lebanon hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Big Falls Frozen?
Updated about 7 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Big Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 65°F to 39°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 154 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 shows the creek losing roughly 105 feet through Big Falls over a long run of ledges. Elevation at the pin is about 1,638 feet.
The ground changes about 27 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 135 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face northwest and stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 1,638 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 105 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Northwest
- Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading northwest).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
From Lebanon, take Route 82 (Cleveland Road) west 1.1 miles and turn right on Route 640 (River Mountain Road). Go 4.2 miles and turn left on Route 721, a gravel road, at the preserve entrance sign. Follow it 0.8 mile to the parking area.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Park only in the designated spaces in the gravel lot at the end of Route 721; a separate area has accessible spaces. If the lot is full, DCR asks visitors to come back later rather than park elsewhere.
Elevation
1,654 feet above sea level
Coordinates
36.962332° N, -82.053185° W
Land Management
Managed by UNK
Visitor Tips & Gear
The preserve is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Stay on designated trails and pack out all trash. Bicycles are allowed only between the entrance and Big Falls on the Big Cedar Creek Trail.
Where to Stay
Super 8 by Wyndham Lebanon
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lebanon by IHG
Western Front Hotel
Super 8 by Wyndham Richlands/Claypool Hill Area
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
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.
Nearby Campground
FLATWOODS GROUP PICNIC AREA
22.9 miles away · 1 sites
Overview Flatwoods Group Picnic area is a secluded site surrounded by forest. It is a great facility for family reunions, organization activities and other group events. Recreation Open lawn areas are adjacent to the picnic area which can be used for activities such as horseshoes, sports and games (bring your own game and sports equipment). Hiking trails are available within easy driving distance (Guest River Gorge, Chief Benges Scout, and Little Stony Falls Trails). Facilities A paved parking lo
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
The Pinnacle, a dolomite spire nearly 400 feet tall, can be viewed from the short Pinnacle View Trail in the same preserve. The Clinch River borders the preserve and has public boat ramps between Puckett's Hole and Nash's Ford for canoeing and kayaking.
Wildlife
The preserve protects rare species including the Big Cedar Creek millipede, known only from here and a few nearby sites, as well as hellbenders and rare freshwater mussels and snails in the creek and Clinch River. Collecting plants, animals and minerals is prohibited.
Cities near Big Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
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