Updated July 2026
St. Mary's Falls
A roughly 35-foot waterfall on the St. Marys River, a native trout stream within Virginia's St. Mary's Wilderness. The moderate out-and-back follows old railroad and mining grades up the gorge and includes several stream crossings.
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 USFS - George Washington & Jefferson National Forests (St. Mary's Wilderness) for closures and current conditions, and confirm land status before setting out.
Frequently Asked Questions
St. Mary's Falls drops about 35 feet. That makes it the 511th-tallest documented waterfall in this inventory, taller than roughly 26% of the falls listed here. Height comes from published land-manager and survey records, not from our own measurement.
The Saint Mary's Trail (FT #500) to St. Mary's Gorge Trail reaches it about 4.4 miles (out-and-back) with roughly 305 feet of elevation gain, rated moderate. The nearest town is Steeles Tavern. That describes the route as documented, not conditions on the day — check with USFS - George Washington & Jefferson National Forests (St. Mary's Wilderness) for closures and current conditions.
spring. 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
- Crabtree Falls · 1,000 ft
- Dark Hollow Falls · 70 ft
- Devils Bathtub
- Doyles River Falls · 63 ft
Sources
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