Falling Spring Falls
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Location
US-220 near Covington
Managed by
Virginia State Parks
Viewpoint
Short walk from parking
Facilities
Picnic area; no restrooms
Falling Spring Falls makes a memorable roadside stop in the Alleghany Highlands: Falling Spring Creek spills over a rocky ledge into a wooded valley, with a designated overlook reached by a short walk from the parking area. The falls are on US-220 near Covington and are managed by Virginia State Parks through nearby Douthat State Park.[1]
The place is as notable for its history as for its view. Thomas Jefferson described the cascade in his 1781 manuscript Notes on the State of Virginia; later, travertine mining changed the falls’ course and reduced their height. Today, visitors can enjoy the view from the marked overlook, but access beyond it is prohibited and enforced.[2]
Plan a trip to Falling Spring Falls
Why visit Falling Spring Falls?
The appeal is immediacy: you can see a striking waterfall without committing to a long hike. The overlook brings the cascade into view, while the surrounding valley gives the stop a distinctly mountain setting. Virginia Tourism describes the falls as a roadside waterfall with a short walk from the pull-off to the viewpoint.[3]
It also offers a compact lesson in how landscapes change. Jefferson’s account described a much taller cascade; Virginia State Parks says travertine mining operations relocated the falls, leaving the waterfall visitors see today.[4]
Start here
Begin at the marked parking area off US-220 and follow the short path to the overlook. The viewpoint is the intended place to see the falls; do not cross the fence or attempt to descend to the stream or base. The state park warns that trespassing beyond the overlook is prohibited and strictly enforced.[5]
What to see and do
Take in the waterfall from the overlook
The designated viewpoint provides the safe, permitted vantage for watching Falling Spring Creek plunge over the ledge into the valley below. Stay behind the fence and use the marked access.
Notice the shape of the cascade
Look for the initial drop and the water continuing down the rock face. Virginia Tourism describes a free-fall section followed by a further cascade; the appearance and flow can vary with conditions.
Read the landscape through its history
The view is part of a longer story: Jefferson wrote about the falls in 1781, and later travertine mining altered their course and height.
Pause for a picnic
A picnic area is available near the falls. Bring what you need, and check current Virginia State Parks information before setting out for facility or access updates.
Use the stop as a starting point for exploring other waterfalls around Virginia, while checking each site’s current access rules and trail conditions.
History and significance
According to Virginia State Parks, land including the falls was granted by King George III to Gabriel Jones in 1771. In 1780, Thomas Jefferson, then governor of Virginia, granted the property to Major Thomas Massie. Jefferson had visited to survey the falls and later referred to them in Notes on the State of Virginia.[6]
The falls were subsequently affected by travertine mining. State Parks records that Ohio C. Barber’s operation mined the material from 1914 to 1926, followed by the Falling Spring Lime Company from 1927 to 1941. The mining required the waterfall to be relocated; the present cascade is about 80 feet high, compared with the roughly 200-foot drop Jefferson described.[7]
On November 28, 2004, MeadWestvaco donated the falls and approximately 19 surrounding acres to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Douthat State Park manages the site today.[8]
Planning a visit
Falling Spring Falls is beside US-220 near Covington, with a short walk from the parking area to the overlook. Virginia State Parks lists a picnic area, no restrooms, and no cell service at the site; plan accordingly and confirm current information before you travel.[9]
The falls are a viewpoint stop, not an invitation to explore the gorge. Stay within the designated viewing area: the state park says no trespassing is allowed beyond the overlook and that the restriction is strictly enforced.[10]
Nearby attractions
Douthat State Park
The state park that manages Falling Spring Falls, with additional outdoor recreation in the Alleghany Highlands.
Clifton Forge
A nearby Alleghany Highlands town to consider when planning a broader regional visit.
Virginia Waterfalls
Explore other waterfall destinations around the state.
Travel books and maps: Browse related Virginia travel books and maps on Amazon
References
- ↑ Falling Spring Falls, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Falling Spring Falls, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Waterfalls in Virginia, Virginia Is For Lovers, Virginia Tourism Corporation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Falling Spring Falls, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Falling Spring Falls, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Falling Spring Falls, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Falling Spring Falls, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Falling Spring Falls, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Falling Spring Falls, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Falling Spring Falls, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.