Falling Spring Falls
- Height
- 80 ft
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
Falling Spring Falls drops about 80 ft on Falling Spring Creek in Alleghany County, Virginia.
Closures and warnings
No trespassing beyond the overlook; access past the fence is prohibited and strictly enforced. View-only; not a swim site. As of September 28, 2026.
The falls
| Height | 80 ft |
|---|---|
| Flow note | 80-ft cascade from an overhanging limestone ledge; historic mining relocated the lip from Jefferson's ~200-ft description. |
| Swimming allowed | No |
|---|---|
| Water type | Waterfall basin |
Access
| Road | Paved |
|---|---|
| Road note | Roadside wayside on US-220 about five miles north of Covington. |
| Parking | Small pull-off parking area off US-220; short paved walk to the overlook. |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Wheelchair access | Paved path from parking to railed overlook; NPS Chesapeake Gateways lists wheelchair accessible. |
| Managed by | Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (maintained by Douthat State Park) |
| Restrooms | No |
|---|---|
| Picnic sites | Yes |
| Note | Picnic areas at the overlook; DCR notes no restrooms and no cell service. |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Falling Spring Falls open?
No trespassing beyond the overlook; access past the fence is prohibited and strictly enforced. View-only; not a swim site. As of September 28, 2026.
How tall is Falling Spring Falls?
Falling Spring Falls drops about 80 ft.
Can you swim at Falling Spring Falls?
No, swimming is not allowed at Falling Spring Falls.
How do you get to Falling Spring Falls?
The road in is paved. Roadside wayside on US-220 about five miles north of Covington. Parking: Small pull-off parking area off US-220; short paved walk to the overlook.
Do you need a reservation for Falling Spring Falls?
No reservation or permit is required.
When is Falling Spring Falls flowing?
80-ft cascade from an overhanging limestone ledge; historic mining relocated the lip from Jefferson's ~200-ft description.
What facilities are at Falling Spring Falls?
Picnic sites. No restrooms. Picnic areas at the overlook; DCR notes no restrooms and no cell service.
Photos
Nearby
Camping nearby
Fishing nearby
Public land
Falling Spring Falls is inside Falling Spring Falls State Park .
Just outside: George Washington and Jefferson National Forest (0.2 mi) .
Sources
2
- https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/falling-spring-falls (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager, waterfall.heightFt, access.parking, hazardNote / swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed false, access.amenities, waterfall.flowNote, waterfall.ephemeral false)
- https://www.nps.gov/places/falling-springs-falls.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager / waterbody context, access.wheelchairAccess, access.roadNote)
More: Virginia waterfalls