The Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
No maintained trail reaches The Falls. It is on national forest land but requires off-trail travel.
Photo Credits (5)
About The Falls
The Falls is a USGS-named waterfall on Falls Branch in Grayson County, Virginia, on Jefferson National Forest land inside the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. No Forest Service trail reaches it: the nearest system trails, the Iron Mountain, Bournes Branch and Virginia Highlands Horse trails, pass more than a mile away. Its height is not documented.
The Setting
The Falls sits at 2,972 feet within Jefferson National Forest, in the hills of Virginia.
Trail & Hike Details
USFS Trail
BOURNES BRANCH #317
Trail Class
Developed
Surface
Avg Grade
USFS Segment
0.35 miTrail Description
There is no maintained trail to The Falls. Reaching it requires off-trail travel through national forest; check a current land-ownership map before going.
What to Expect
Dogs are welcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at The Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at The Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal for visiting, as the waterfall flow is typically strongest due to seasonal rainfall. Fall offers beautiful foliage, while summer provides warmer weather for hiking.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited. Check with Jefferson National Forest for seasonal road closures.
Safety Information
Off-trail travel on steep, wet ground is slow and slippery, and cell service may be limited. Tell someone your plans.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on New River, 9.4 miles away, not on The Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
1,040 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 79 years of record
2.47 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average for this time of year.
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 NEW RIVER AT IVANHOE, VA (15 km away).
Today
Low
1040 cfs
6/10Tomorrow
Low
1032 cfs
6/10Thu
Moderate
1159 cfs
5/10Fri
Moderate
1159 cfs
5/10Sat
Moderate
1111 cfs
8/10Sun
Low
958 cfs
6/10Mon
Low
1032 cfs
6/10Best window: Sat — moderate flow, mostly sunny (trip score 8/10).
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 Stevens Creek hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is The Falls Frozen?
Updated about 8 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately big river, rarely freezes solid
The Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 57°F to 43°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 1040 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 241 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The ground at the falls is roughly 2,968 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 213 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 37 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing east, the falls catch soft morning light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 2,968 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 241 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- East
- Catches soft morning light.
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
No official route exists. The nearest roads are State Routes 776 and 891, about half a mile from the falls.
Get Directions on Google MapsElevation
2,972 feet above sea level
Coordinates
36.756790° N, -81.091200° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Where to Stay
Spark By Hilton Wytheville East Main Street
Comfort Inn Wytheville - Fort Chiswell
The Washington Inn
Comfort Inn & Suites Hillsville I-77
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
Raven Cliff Recreation Area
5.7 miles away · 2 sites
Overview There are 20 camping units available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each unit has a gravel parking spur, picnic table and fire grill. Some sites have a pad for tents or pop-up trailers. Recreation vehicles up to 25 feet long can be accommodated in some sites. A day use picnic shelter with picnic tables and an open field for sports is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Toilets and garbage cans are provided in the campground and near the picnic shelter. Drinking water is
Book on Recreation.govNearby Hot Springs
Hot springs near Wytheville, Virginia
Alum Springs
Alum Springs flows at 72°F in Pulaski County, Virginia, emerging 18.4 degrees above the 53.6°F ambient temperature at 1,967 fee...
New River White Sulphur Springs
New River White Sulphur Springs produces 85-degree water that flows 30.3 degrees above ambient temperature at 1,780 feet elevat...
Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Wytheville, Virginia on SoakingSprings.
Explore Virginia springsAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Raven Cliff Recreation Area, a Forest Service campground, is about 6 miles away.
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.
Cities near The Falls
Other waterfalls named The Falls
20 other waterfalls share this name across the U.S.
Writing about The Falls? Embed this waterfall on your site for free.