Greasy Falls
Virginia • Shenandoah National Park
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
No maintained trail reaches Greasy Falls. Getting there requires off-trail travel, and private land borders the park nearby.
Photo Credits (1)
About Greasy Falls
Greasy Falls is a USGS-named waterfall on Greasy Run in the northern part of Shenandoah National Park, in Warren County below Hogback Mountain. No park trail goes to it: the nearest maintained trails, the Hogback Spur and Sugarloaf trails, pass roughly a mile away, and private homes along Gooney Manor Loop (Route 631) sit just outside the park boundary nearby. Its height is not documented.
The Setting
Greasy Falls sits at 1,654 feet within Shenandoah National Park, in the hills of Virginia.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
There is no maintained trail to Greasy Falls. Reaching it means off-trail travel through steep woods; the closest park trails are the Hogback Spur Trail and Sugarloaf Trail, each about 0.9 to 1 mile away.
What to Expect
Dogs are welcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Greasy Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Leashed pets (6-foot leash maximum) are allowed in most of Shenandoah National Park; this area is not on the park's list of trails closed to pets.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🤑 Fee: $30.00
🏊 Is There Swimming at Greasy Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal for visiting Greasy Falls, as the water flow is usually strongest during these seasons.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited. Check with Shenandoah National Park for current conditions.
Safety Information
Off-trail travel on steep, rocky slopes is slow and slippery when wet, and cell service may be unreliable. Tell someone your plans.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on South F Shenandoah River, 10.1 miles away, not on Greasy Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
330 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Much lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 96 years of record
1.11 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is well below normal for this time of year, so the waterfall may be a trickle.
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 S F SHENANDOAH RIVER AT FRONT ROYAL, VA (16 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
330 cfs
5/10Tomorrow
Barely Flowing
316 cfs
5/10Thu
Low
354 cfs
4/10Fri
Low
385 cfs
4/10Sat
Barely Flowing
343 cfs
5/10Sun
Barely Flowing
320 cfs
5/10Mon
Barely Flowing
333 cfs
5/10Best window: Today — barely flowing flow, sunny (trip score 5/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid February to early May, 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 Sperryville hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Greasy Falls Frozen?
Updated about 8 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded strong flow slows freezing
Greasy Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 60°F to 46°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 338 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.
Through the falls the surface drops roughly 138 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Elevation at the pin is about 1,649 feet.
The ground changes about 107 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 26 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing northeast, the falls 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
- 1,649 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 138 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Northeast
- 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 northeast).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
No official route exists. The nearest developed area with trails is Mathews Arm, at Skyline Drive mile 22.2. Do not approach across private land outside the park boundary.
Get Directions on Google MapsElevation
1,654 feet above sea level
Coordinates
38.774006° N, -78.267502° W
Land Management
Managed by NPS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Carry a topographic map and know where the park boundary is, since private land borders the park near the falls.
Where to Stay
Riverside Oasis with Stunning Views, Cozy Firepit!
Doubletree By Hilton Front Royal Blue Ridge Shadows
Barney's Retreat- Rustic cabin on the river!
All Seasons Cottage - Game Room - Firepit By Zen Living Short Term Rental
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Nearby Campground
MATHEWS ARM CAMPGROUND
1.9 miles away · 166 sites
Overview Secluded in the thick trees and rolling hills of the Shenandoah National Park, Mathews Arm Campground is the ideal spot for a camping getaway.Recreation Shenandoah National Park has over 500 miles of trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Some trails lead to a waterfall or viewpoint while others wind deep into the forests and wilderness. Mathews Arm Campground is located near Overall Run Falls, which, at 93 feet, has the highest drop of all the falls in Shenandoah National
Book on Recreation.govNearby Hot Springs
Hot springs near Luray, Virginia
Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Luray, Virginia on SoakingSprings.
Explore Virginia springsAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Overall Run Falls, the park's tallest waterfall at 93 feet, is reached by a 5.1-mile round-trip hike from the Mathews Arm Campground area (mile 22.2).
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, deer, and small mammals. Visitors should be cautious of ticks and other insects.
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