Updated July 2026
Crabtree Falls
A series of five major cascades on Crabtree Creek with a total drop of roughly 1,000 feet, often cited as the highest vertical-drop cascade in the eastern United States.
Before you go
Waterfalls are hazardous by nature — wet rock, cold water, and unstable edges — and flow varies enormously with season and recent rain. Trail figures here describe the route as documented, not conditions today. Check George Washington National Forest (USFS) for closures and current conditions, and confirm land status before setting out.
Graded lakes within 25 miles
- BNorth Arm of Mill Creek Lake · Amherst County · 12.4 mi
- BNortheast Arm of Mill Creek Lake · Amherst County · 12.8 mi
- BMill Creek Reservoir · Amherst County · 12.8 mi
- BMill Cr Reservoir · Amherst County · 13.1 mi
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Frequently Asked Questions
Crabtree Falls drops about 1,000 feet. That makes it the 9th-tallest documented waterfall in this inventory, taller than roughly 99% of the falls listed here. Height comes from published land-manager and survey records, not from our own measurement.
The Crabtree Falls Trail reaches it about 3.4 miles (out-and-back) with roughly 1,500 feet of elevation gain, rated strenuous. The nearest town is Montebello. That describes the route as documented, not conditions on the day — check with George Washington National Forest (USFS) for closures and current conditions.
Spring snowmelt (Apr-Jun). Waterfall flow swings enormously with snowmelt and recent rain, so a fall that roars in spring can be a trickle by late summer.
More Virginia waterfalls
- Apple Orchard Falls · 200 ft
- Bent Mountain Falls · 200 ft
- Cascade Falls · 69 ft
- Comers Creek Falls · 15 ft
- Dark Hollow Falls · 70 ft
- Devils Bathtub
- Doyles River Falls · 63 ft
- Fallingwater Cascades · 100 ft
Sources
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