The Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainNo public access
The Falls isn't open to the public. There's no public trail or parking, so please don't trespass or park at neighboring properties. See public waterfalls nearby.
The Falls is on private land under a conservation easement with no public access. Do not visit without the landowner's permission.
Photo Credits (4)
About The Falls
Nearby Falls Worth Visiting
Crabtree Falls, the tallest waterfall in Virginia at 1,200 feet, lies 9.9 miles to the west.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at The Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at The Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Tye River, 6.5 miles away, not on The Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
15 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Much lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 87 years of record
2.52 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 TYE RIVER NEAR LOVINGSTON, VA (10 km away).
Today
Low
16 cfs
4/10Tomorrow
Low
14 cfs
6/10Tue
Low
15 cfs
6/10Wed
Low
16 cfs
6/10Thu
Low
17 cfs
6/10Fri
Low
17 cfs
6/10Sat
Low
17 cfs
6/10Best window: Tomorrow — low flow, sunny (trip score 6/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid 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 Lovingston hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is The Falls Frozen?
Updated about 17 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
The Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 52°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
- 15 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.
The ground through the falls loses about 121 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The ground at the falls is roughly 1,256 feet above sea level.
The whole reach is steep: about 116 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 123 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face south and sit in full sun for most of the day, best photographed early or late.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 1,256 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 121 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- South
- Sunlit most of the day. Go early or late for softer light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading south).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Hours
Elevation
1,257 feet above sea level
Coordinates
37.788752° N, -78.907523° W
Land Management
Managed by NGO No Public Access
Where to Stay
Basecamp151
Wingate by Wyndham Waynesboro
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Waynesboro East
Village Inn
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
SHERANDO LAKE GROUP PICNIC SHELTER
10.5 miles away · 1 sites
Overview Sherando Lake Group Picnic Shelter, also known as the Williams Branch Group Picnic Shelter is a part of the Sherando Lake Recreation Area. The recreation area is often referred to as the jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is a very popular destination where families enjoy picnicking in the shade and relaxing on the sandy beach.Recreation The 25 acre Lower Lake offers opportunities for swimming in a designated areas with a sand beach, accessible ramp to the water's edge and a beach bat
Book on Recreation.govNearby Hot Springs
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Bragg Spring
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Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Afton, Virginia on SoakingSprings.
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Nearby Attractions
Nearby attractions include the town of Lovingston, local wineries, and hiking trails in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Wildlife
The area is home to various bird species, deer, and small mammals. Visitors may also encounter insects such as mosquitoes, especially in warmer months.
Cities near The Falls
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20 other waterfalls share this name across the U.S.
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