Waterfall Hero Hikes: Lower Roaring Run Falls (Jefferson)

Lower Roaring Run Falls is a 15-foot waterfall on Roaring Run in Botetourt County, Virginia. The waterfall is located in the Roaring Run Day Use Area in Jefferson National Forest.

Hike Length: 0.6 miles
Estimated Time: < 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Location: Roaring Run Day Use Area (Eastern Divide Ranger District of Jefferson National Forest)
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Yes
Features: Waterfalls (1+)
Crowds: Moderate
Warnings: The rocks around waterfalls are very slippery.
Trailhead GPS: 37.70624,-79.89313
Waterfall GPS: 37.71049,-79.89620

Directions:

From Roanoke, head north on I-81 to exit 150B and merge onto US-220 north. Drive 21.6 miles and turn left on Craig Creek Road. Go 5.5 miles and turn right on Roaring Run Road. In 0.9 miles, turn left onto the entrance road for the day use area and go 0.2 miles to the parking at the end.

Map:

Hike Description:

From the trailhead, pick up Roaring Run Loop Trail (#264) and come to a split. Bear left on the Streamside Trail that follows Roaring Run upstream. In 0.3 miles, the trail passes the waterfall and you can scramble down to the base.