Roaring Run Falls (Jefferson)

Roaring Run Falls is a 35-foot waterfall on Roaring Run in Botetourt County, Virginia.  The waterfall is located in the Roaring Run Day Use Area.

Hike Length: 1.2 miles
Estimated Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Location: Roaring Run Day Use Area
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: 37.71002,-79.90013

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.  It's a loop so you can go either way, but left is most direct on the Streamside Trail.  The trail passes some nice cascades and slides along the creek.

At about 0.4 miles, come to another split where right stays on the loop trail.  Go left on the Roaring Run Falls Spur Trail (#264A).  There are more slides along this short trail.

Just before reaching the waterfall, there is a narrow chute that the creek flows down.

The trail ends at the very scenic Roaring Run Falls.

You can go a little bit downstream for another slide that is the lower portion.

Head back the way you came or continue the loop to pass by the Roaring Run Furnace.  Here's a video of the falls.

Blog Entries:

06-Sep-2021: Roaring Run Furnace

External Links:

US Forest Service website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gwj/recarea/?recid=73925