Jackie Steffan — 5.0 miles — 2.5 hours — Moderate — 630′ elevation gain —
Waterfalls in Virginia seem a little harder to find relative to the amount in Northeast TN, so we were excited to find Little Stony Falls. It’s honestly one of the prettier smaller waterfalls we’ve discovered in this area; the water free-falls across a wide cliff into a pool below. The hike can be found outside Dungannon, VA in the Hanging Rock Recreation Area.
Getting There
- Take I-26W
- I-26W will change into U-23N after passing by Kingsport, TN
- Just before crossing over into VA, US-23N will take a left
- Continue on US-23N for 4.4 miles
- Take a slight right onto Kane St (just before entering Gate City) and follow for 0.3 mile
- Take a slight right onto Jones St. and drive 0.3 mile
- Turn right onto VA-71N/E Jackson St. and go 1.0 mile
- Turn left onto VA-72N and travel 21.7 miles
- Turn left into Forest Service Rd, Hanging Rock. Parking area reached in 0.3 mile.
The Hike
Trail begins from the edge of the parking area, with very good signage. There is a restroom and apparently drinking water available during the summer; we cannot confirm this since we’ve only visited in the spring time. When we went in May, there was only one other car in the lot and we never saw them on the trail.
This trail has yellow blazes, which quickly become helpful when you reach some massive boulders that require a little scrambling. Take in the neat landscape and cliffs on your right while navigating this section. You’ll follow Little Stony Creek the whole time.
The path is pretty easy to follow with no other trail intersections. You’ll cross three large bridges, which were flown in by helicopter by the National Forest Service; as you cross them, be sure to marvel at the engineering feat to pull that off. You’ll continue to pass several more sheer cliffs towering above you in addition to several small waterfalls. As with many waterfall trails in our area, you can expect to find wildflowers in the spring time.
At approximately 2 miles, you will reach the first, and only, trail intersection. Keep left here to hike down a relatively steep grade to the base of Little Stony Falls. Find a nice rock to rest and admire the waterfall. The waterfall may only be 24′ tall, but it feels much larger. When ready to return, simply retrace your steps back to the parking area.
Alternative trail: There is supposedly an approximately 1 mile out-and-back trail to the waterfall instead of the one we described above, descending about 300′ over a half mile. This hike connects with the trail described above at the mentioned intersection. The parking area for this can be found on Forest Service Road, Bear Rock.
Little Stony Falls is also relatively close to Devil’s Bathtub if looking to extend your hiking day in the area.
