Overall Run Falls
Overall Run Falls
4.5
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
218 within 3 miles
Attractions
76 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
26 reviews
Excellent
10
Very good
14
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
0
L Y
Washington DC, DC262 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
Hike down to beauty in 90 mins, take your lunch, watch the water falls.
Park at Mathews Arm parking lot next to the camping registration kiosk for free (on the right when entering). Walk thru camp ground and find trail, walk over 2 post with chain, it is the fire road, stay on trail, you can hike with your dog on this one, lots of people do. 29 ft water fall is 1st to see then the 93 ft water fall. Walk up up back to camp ground, will still only take 90 mins. Beauty all around. Take water.
Park at Mathews Arm parking lot next to the camping registration kiosk for free (on the right when entering). Walk thru camp ground and find trail, walk over 2 post with chain, it is the fire road, stay on trail, you can hike with your dog on this one, lots of people do. 29 ft water fall is 1st to see then the 93 ft water fall. Walk up up back to camp ground, will still only take 90 mins. Beauty all around. Take water.
Written July 5, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paula M
Caledon, Canada76 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
This was such a beautiful hike! It was a cooler day but perfect for the hike. It was downhill all the way to the waterfall. It was beautiful and as you are hiking down you can hear the beautiful sound of the falls. Then you need to head back out and there are some spots that are very steep. As long as you pace yourself and take a few breaks it is well worth the hike!
Written June 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deborah F
Columbia, MD865 contributions
Jul 2018 • Solo
This is an enjoyable and there are options that make it a relatively fast hike. If you start from the top, the campground checkin parking lot for Matthews Arm campground, you can reach the first small waterfall in about an hour of easy downhill hiking, about two and a half miles. This first waterfall drops to a trickle when it's been dry, continue another half mile further for the larger one. I've done this from below also and that way seems both less traveled but swampier at the start.
Written July 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scllcsw
Haddonfield, NJ104 contributions
Oct 2015 • Family
The review I had read of this hike said it was very doable,and even among the easiest in the park, but it was harder than expected. I had my 11 year old niece with me, and she was able to do it, however it was very difficult for her. This hike felt like it was uphill in both directions. Clearly it was harder on the return. The falls were pretty but not extraordinary. Perhaps in the spring after some snow melt they are more dramatic. We arrived after a week of heavy rains, so I expected they would be more full than they were. We were just a little disappointed. It was a lovely Columbus Day weekend, and the trail was full of hikers. The trail itself is well marked, and well maintained. Although we did not arrive to huge waterfalls, the view at the top is still magnificent, and well worth the hike if you are looking for a significant day hike. In total it took us about four hours out and back with about a half hour for lunch. If you go, be prepared with plenty of water and sturdy hiking shoes.
Written October 26, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yana
70 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
Going down is optional, going up is mandatory! Beware you need to go down to see the falls which means the harder part is going back. The falls were not as impressive as we expected but that's because we went in late August so the water levels were low as opposed to early spring. Beautiful hike. We saw a lot of bold color mushrooms and it was shady so that helped hiking in the summer heat.
Written September 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ddallas1969
Linthicum Heights, MD729 contributions
Nov 2017 • Couples
Okay, maybe it's just me, but I felt the 'pay off' on this hike wasn't worth it. The hike itself is a good workout. Almost completely downhill on the way to the falls, then all uphill on the way back. My legs were loving the burn. However, the view of the falls was just.....eh. I don't know, but I expected more. Having seen the falls, I wouldn't do this hike again honestly. The best part was seeing a huge buck on the down hill.
Written November 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HedoCouple
Fairfax Station, VA455 contributions
Jul 2015
Easily reached from the Mathews Arm Campground tent only area via the overall run trail. The trail is well maintained and marked. We saw deer, bear, turkey and several kinds of snakes over the course of our hike. The falls are particularly picturesque in the early afternoon after rains.
Written December 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deborah F
Columbia, MD865 contributions
Jul 2017 • Friends
This was an enjoyable hike, with many options to start, moderate in grade and not requiring any significant technical skill *this time of year*. You would need to be able to handle stream crossings if it is wetter; you'll miss the best vista if you are concerned about stepping out on overlooks without guardrails.
I went in July, and there had not been much in the way of rains, so the highlight of the hike wasn't actually the waterfall. It was pretty but tiny - go to White Oaks for a closer look at more impressive falls if that is your objective, this time of year. The streams were all dry, but there will be several crossings in wetter times of the year.
What was nicest about the hike in July is that there were *so* many trees, and the canopy made it quite comfortably cool ... and at this elevation, there was little humidity. It was a great escape from the flatland heat!
The overlook was beautiful, and definitely the vista highlight. It was uncrowded when we got there, but wow, three or four groups from the campsites were right on our heels, and so the peaceful scene turned into about twenty people gathered on the rock. Start earlier than my group did and you can avoid this :)
As to difficulty level, I was hiking sweep for a group of eight. Those in their twenties and thirties with moderate hiking experience found it no challenge. I was enjoying the leisurely but steady sweep pace - I am fairly fit, in my midfifties. Those in our group with little uphill or little pack experience found the grade to be challengingly tough but manageable with rests. There were many family groups, often carrying a small child up the steeper sections. If you want less grade you can start from the top and and do this as an out and back, avoiding the hike down to the base. There is also a local swimming hole with easy access from the parking lot I chose, with many many many swimmers in suits and with towels who just walked in.
I began from Thompson Hollow Rd (Not Skyline Dr/Campsite). My 9am start meant that most of the better parking spots were taken in the tiny "flat" area nearest to the trailhead, but I could still squeeze in as the last car to make it. There was plenty of roadside parking, though, on the shoulder, and the REI van that came soon afterwards had no difficulty fitting in.
I went in July, and there had not been much in the way of rains, so the highlight of the hike wasn't actually the waterfall. It was pretty but tiny - go to White Oaks for a closer look at more impressive falls if that is your objective, this time of year. The streams were all dry, but there will be several crossings in wetter times of the year.
What was nicest about the hike in July is that there were *so* many trees, and the canopy made it quite comfortably cool ... and at this elevation, there was little humidity. It was a great escape from the flatland heat!
The overlook was beautiful, and definitely the vista highlight. It was uncrowded when we got there, but wow, three or four groups from the campsites were right on our heels, and so the peaceful scene turned into about twenty people gathered on the rock. Start earlier than my group did and you can avoid this :)
As to difficulty level, I was hiking sweep for a group of eight. Those in their twenties and thirties with moderate hiking experience found it no challenge. I was enjoying the leisurely but steady sweep pace - I am fairly fit, in my midfifties. Those in our group with little uphill or little pack experience found the grade to be challengingly tough but manageable with rests. There were many family groups, often carrying a small child up the steeper sections. If you want less grade you can start from the top and and do this as an out and back, avoiding the hike down to the base. There is also a local swimming hole with easy access from the parking lot I chose, with many many many swimmers in suits and with towels who just walked in.
I began from Thompson Hollow Rd (Not Skyline Dr/Campsite). My 9am start meant that most of the better parking spots were taken in the tiny "flat" area nearest to the trailhead, but I could still squeeze in as the last car to make it. There was plenty of roadside parking, though, on the shoulder, and the REI van that came soon afterwards had no difficulty fitting in.
Written July 19, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
delaware-veg
Bear, DE297 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
I don't know how you can say anything bad about a national park trail unless it is covered in litter and graffiti.
The trail to Overall Run Falls is moderate. It took us 3 hours round trip. We did not spend as much time at the falls view area as it starting raining really hard. Not as much of an issue when in the woods.
The trail is can be confusing at times when there is another trail that meets up with it, The writing on the trail posts is a little worn down.
The parking area is quite large. This is a great place to hike if you enter Skyline Dr at Front Royal as had done.
I would do this hike again. I would not recommend this hike for elderly people or small kids.
The trail to Overall Run Falls is moderate. It took us 3 hours round trip. We did not spend as much time at the falls view area as it starting raining really hard. Not as much of an issue when in the woods.
The trail is can be confusing at times when there is another trail that meets up with it, The writing on the trail posts is a little worn down.
The parking area is quite large. This is a great place to hike if you enter Skyline Dr at Front Royal as had done.
I would do this hike again. I would not recommend this hike for elderly people or small kids.
Written July 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ZhuZhu L
New York City, NY273 contributions
Nov 2021 • Solo
This trail is very long but very interesting with many ups and downs. The waterfall and cliff side is a good place to stop for break. Overall I enjoyed this trail very much.
Written November 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pinaki B
Milton, Canada1 contribution
Hi,
I am planning to take this hike, would be grateful if someone could tell me whether it can be completed in 2 to 3 hours.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingOverall Run Falls - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Overall Run Falls
- Hotels near Overall Run Falls:
- (2.29 mi) Richard Johnston Inn
- (1.81 mi) Comfort Suites Fredericksburg North
- (1.99 mi) Hyatt Place Fredericksburg at Mary Washington
- (2.58 mi) Homewood Suites by Hilton Fredericksburg
- (2.53 mi) Hampton Inn & Suites Fredericksburg-at Celebrate Virginia
- Restaurants near Overall Run Falls:
- (0.40 mi) Napoleta Pizza
- (1.41 mi) Mason-Dixon Cafe
- (1.38 mi) Carl's
- (2.09 mi) Orofino
- (2.20 mi) Basilico
Overall Run Falls Information
Excellent Reviews | 10 |
|---|---|
Very Good Reviews | 14 |
Overall Run Falls Photos | 22 |