Crabtree Falls is a series of waterfalls surging over 1,200 feet – one of the tallest east of the Mississippi River! There are 5 major cascades, the tallest of which drops 400 feet.
Located in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, its hiking trail is a short drive from the Blue Ridge Parkway, near Milepost 27.
Note: There is also a 70-foot Crabtree Falls along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina.
Crabtree Falls Day Use Area
2024 Price: Free due to my Annual Pass (Fee would have been $3 per vehicle)
Hiking Trail
Crabtree Falls Trail is a moderate 2.7-mile trail. There is a universally accessible path to the first cascade; however, after this paved section, the trail changes to dirt and starts to climb the mountainside.
Around three-quarter miles into the hike, there is a small cave to the right.
In addition to several staircases, I counted around 20 switchbacks.
Wooden posts act as mile markers, so you always know where you are on the trail.
When I visited in mid-October, the glow of yellow and orange from the leaves was stunning.
The last overlook for the Upper Falls has a sign indicating it is the “last viewpoint of falls.” Then a bridge over the brink of the falls leads to an overlook for Tye River Valley and the surrounding mountains.
Hikers follow Crabtree Creek for another 1.2 miles to Crabtree Meadows.
Crabtree Falls
There are multiple overlooks for the cascades. Lower Falls is approximately 500 hundred feet from the trailhead on a paved path. I could even see the next cascade in the distance.
The second cascade is 0.3 miles into the hike, up a couple sets of stairs. This one falls in two portions and the trail has two viewpoints.
I appreciated that each cascade had its own shape and perspective from the trail. Its first two cascades can be seen head-on, while others I observed from the side like the third cascade.
The fourth cascade is near the 0.8-mile mark. It too flows beside the trail. There is a small rock area to relax on and watch it continue down the mountain side.
The Upper Falls overlook sits around the 1.3-mile mark. Here smaller streams slid over the massive rockface before combining downhill.
I loved how many cascades, including the small drops, you can see along the trail! This is a great stop for those looking to stretch their legs while exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway.