For those who love the outdoors, waterfalls are one the most beautiful treats. Though Smith Mountain Lake region has a few small waterfalls, there not accessible to the general public. However, there are many beautiful waterfalls in Virginia, some are not far from Smith Mountain Lake.

Natural Bridge Waterfalls

These pictures were taken towards the end of a three year drought and still there was a considerable amount of water. The falls are located inside the Natural Bridge State Park, about a 20 minute walk past the Bridge. An Indian village and a natural cave is part of your journey to the falls or you can pay to visit the Natural Bridge Caverns about 2 minutes from the state park. About a 90 minute drive from Smith Mountain Lake.

 Dark Hollow Falls

These views shows only a small part of Dark Hallow Falls as you find that different waterfalls are spread out over several miles of the trail. A somewhat difficult but beautiful trail with some rough, steep parts of trail. The trail descends through the Rose River Trail approx. 1.4 miles to the Rose River Falls, then ascends the lower Dark Hollow to the Dark Hollow Falls and exits back on to Skyline Drive.

Water parallels the trail almost all the way and there are numerous falls, pools, and cascades. About halfway through the hike, you'll find an excellent campsite near water provides an overnight opportunity for camping.

An outstanding trail filled with the beauty of water, old homesteads, an old copper mine, summer wildflowers, and much more.  3 1/2 hours hike over all. The trail attracts lots of people in the spring and fall as well as black bears on and around the trail from time to time.

White Oak Canyon Falls

About a 5 hour hike round trip and the hike is very steep at times. There is a place to swim at the bottom of the falls and many do just that. White Oak Canyon Falls are about a 10 minute drive from White Oak Canyon Falls on Skyline Drive, Virginia.