Crabtree Falls
Crabtree Falls
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
289 reviews
Excellent
205
Very good
71
Average
12
Poor
1
Terrible
0
William G
Virginia Beach, VA46 contributions
May 2021 • Solo
It is series of cascades punctuated by several falls. The base of the falls is an easy hike. That’s where the easy part ends. It had just rained and the trail was muddy. It’s 1.7 miles to the top, almost uphill all the way with many steps and railings. The falls can be seen intermittently from the trail. We made it 0.6 miles and saw a lot. We are in our seventies and decided to descend. Other hikers cautioned us that going higher would be even more strenuous.
Written April 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mike F
Midlothian, VA95 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
First, please remember to bring three dollars for parking. Second, be prepared for lots of people, some muddy conditions, stairs due to steepness, and beautiful views. Third, this is a terrific hike along the waterfall but it is heavily traveled. Parking lot was full by early afternoon on this April day. Lots of people trying to get pictures of the waterfall so be prepared for the occasional groups of people. It is 1.7 miles up and there are some steep areas that will leave you winded. The view from the top is nothing special, but the hike is well worth it.
Written April 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
William G
Virginia Beach, VA46 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
It is series of cascades punctuated by several falls. The base of the falls is an easy hike. That’s where the easy part ends. It had just rained and the trail was muddy. It’s 1.7 miles to the top, almost uphill all the way with many steps and railings. The falls can be seen intermittently from the trail. We made it 0.6 miles and saw a lot. We are in our seventies and decided to descend. Other hikers cautioned us that going higher would be even more strenuous.
Written August 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bobby Z.
Chesapeake, VA30 contributions
May 2020
These falls are beautiful and the hike is a good workout. The lower falls is a short 0.6 mile uphill hike. The upper falls are a longer 1.7 mile uphill hike, 1.1 miles beyond the lower falls. The trail is treacherous in places with wet boulders and steep stairs. Wear waterproof shoes that have some grippy soles. Take plenty of water and snacks. There are several lookouts along the way where you can take some beautiful pictures. The falls were active with plenty of white water. In May the rhododendrons are in bloom with spectacular pink and fuchsia flowers.
Written May 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Joseph H
Beavercreek, OH1,425 contributions
Oct 2020
My wife and I enjoyed a fantastic hike on the Crabtree Falls Trail. The accompanying photos tell the real story - even on a very foggy/misty day. The trail is marked superbly. The trail is in excellent shape - well worth the $3 parking fee. This has been the best hike of our three days in the Afton/BRP/Shenandoah area. Highly recommend this hike! See photos!
Written October 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Valerie D
9 contributions
Aug 2021
It seemed to be a nice area but the falls were not flowing much due to dry weather. I was with my 10 year old and being steep we did not got up to the top of the 1.7 miles . Take blue ridge parkway to access this location, not any other gravel roads that are really scary.
Written August 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
chris2firm
Virginia Beach, VA18 contributions
Mar 2021 • Family
Easy drive. Nice parking. No cell phone signal, so you will lose your gps. It's better to use an actual gps or download the map from google maps before travelling. The trail is easy for kids. From parking the lower falls is 500 ft, the upper falls is 1.7 miles. It's a little muddy when I went, but with a good hiking shoes, there should be no problem. there are 2 restrooms for male and female. Parking is $3.00, honesty system. It's really a hidden gem in Virginia.
Written March 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
washington1967
Toomsuba, MS387 contributions
Nov 2020 • Family
Phew! Lots of stairs. Wec hiked about halfway up. Falls were amazing! Would have gone further but the spray from the falls combined with a gray morning was a little too chilly for us. Highly recommend this walk...but only to those comfortable with lots of stairs! By the way, $5 now to park/emter.
Written November 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MillicentCow
Pittsburgh, PA25 contributions
Jul 2020
My husband and I are older, so we only hiked to the lower falls. It was about a half mile, not difficult to navigate, and there are benches to sit on when you reach the falls. The scenery is lovely, and the falls are wonderful. If we were 20 years younger, we would have hiked all the way to the top, but just seeing the lower part of the falls was well worth the trip.
Written July 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Georgia F
Henrico, VA2 contributions
Jul 2020 • Friends
The hike up crabtree Falls was absolutely gorgeous. It was a perfect day for hiking though all week there was storms the ground was not as muddy as we thought it would be. The only bad experience at Crabtree Falls ais probably due to Covid the public restrooms were locked. It should’ve been placed on the website to notify people before they came there. There was several families with children.
Written July 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hello,
I read many posts, but folks mention of 'going up' without referring to which parking lot they start from.
We plan to park at Crabtree Falls CF lot, off 56, hike to the first drop, rest a bit, then get to the second drop, then backtrack our way to where we park, and not getting to the Meadows Lane ML lot.
Is going from the CF parking lot (at 56) towards the one at ML a hike upward, or is there a valley (lowest point) between the 2 lots? Is the Tye bridge closer to CF than ML?
Is there a place to rest, sit and enjoy watching the tallest drop, near 56?
How long would a normal hike take from 56 to the first fall, then to the second one, then the return climb which is lkely longer than the earlier descent, so we can budget time to locate our car while there is light (or to dash back to the restroom..)?
Is this attraction open by April 12, 19, and is the parking fee year-round?
Thank you!
Jennifer D
Baltimore, MD28 contributions
We parked at the lot off 56. Parking fee is a donation to the park by dropping envelope in a box.
First fall is a very short walk from the parking lot. The second fall is more a hike then a walk, but on an easy path. Both first and second fall has a bench available.
Fall 3-5 are hikes and the trail was very muddy and slick, but still an easy hike. No bench available at either of these falls,
It took about 90 min to view all falls
Fall 1 can be done in 15 min
Add fall 2 for a total of 30 min.
Well worth the visit.
I am not sure when it is open/closed. We were there in October and the fall colors were wonderful.
ShelleyBrooklyn
Newport News, VA5 contributions
is the road to the falls easy to navigate, rte 56, took it halfway last year and turned around, not sure how close we were
William G
Virginia Beach, VA46 contributions
It is twisty and down hill - route 56 from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Good road signs. Recommend 2nd gear most of the way.
AnneK00773559
Charleston, SC75 contributions
Any recommendations for places to eat quick or sit down in the area?
Max T
New Jersey168 contributions
Not near the falls. But Bold Rock us close by. Good for Cider and food.
AnneK00773559
Charleston, SC75 contributions
Is Staunton very far away?
Elizabeth A
HYATTSVILLE236 contributions
Using Google Maps, it looks like Staunton is 50-60 minutes form Crabtree Falls.
Crabtree Falls (Wintergreen) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Crabtree Falls
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