Home Road Trips 8 Waterfalls Worth the Roadtrip By Meghan Yudes MeyersApril 8, 2021 Search more like this state-parkkid-friendlyfamily-friendlyhiking-trailnational-parkshort-driveshort-walkvisitor-centerdistanceabilitybeginnerswimwaterexpert Read next Road Trips The Best Organic Clothes for Babies & Toddlers Road Trips 45 Pumpkin Carving Designs That’ll Wow the Neighborhood Road Trips Target’s Best Holiday Deals Start Sooner Than You Think Road Trips This Larger Than Life Mister Rogers Monument is Exactly What the World Needs Road Trips Want a Free Donut on Halloween? Here’s How to Get One from Krispy Kreme Looking for a healthy dose of happy feels on your next hike? We’re gushing over waterfalls for their scientifically proven mood changing abilities. And, these days, we could all use all the good vibes. From Virginia to Maryland to West Virginia, we’ve rounded up the best kid-friendly waterfalls within a day’s drive of Washington, DC. Head to these waterfalls and get ready to get happy! photo: Tiffany W. via Yelp VIRGINIA photo: Jodie P. via Yelp Overall Run Up for a hike? An 8.5-mile loop through Shenandoah National Park passes you right by Overall Run. Ready to get straight to the falls? Take the one-mile trail from the parking lot straight there. Overall Run is best known for having the tallest waterfall in the park, at 93 feet. While impressive and beautiful when the stream runs high in the spring, during summer months the falls are much milder. The creek runs over a smooth, sloping rock wall that works as a fantastic water slide. Distance from DC: 2 hoursHiking ability required: moderate or noneShenandoah National ParkSkyline Drive MP 21.5 Luray, VAOnline: nps.gov photo: Annie N. via Yelp Whiteoak Canyon Falls Choose between a one- and four-mile trek and reap the rewards of up to six waterfalls and swimming holes. The water here is shallow, so toddlers can splash and play in the water with ease. Distance from DC: 1.5 hoursHiking ability required: moderateWhiteoak Canyon Lower Falls Parking Lot187 Chad Berry Ln.Syria, VAOnline: nps.gov photo: Justin B. Via Yelp Great Falls Park While the water cascades more than strictly falls, the view is gorgeous nonetheless. And with overlooks a quick and easy 5- to 10-minute walk from the Visitor Center, the falls at Great Falls Park make for a great outing with little ones.Distance from DC: less than 45 minutesHiking ability required: none9200 Old Dominion Dr. McLean, VAOnline: nps.gov photo: Danielle L. via Yelp Scott's Run Another short drive from the district, you can drive directly to the entry point for the trail to the falls. The journey to the falls and back is about 2 miles and some terrain can be steep but smaller falls along the way might satisfy smaller kids or keep the bigger ones engaged until you reach the end.Distance from DC: half hourHiking ability required: moderate7400 Georgetown Pike McLean, VAOnline: fairfaxcounty.gov MARYLAND photo: Dirk R. via Yelp Swallow Falls State Park Most of the trails in this park are easy and kid-friendly, but be prepared to steer kids away from rocky edges and potentially dangerous situations if you take a walk at the top of Muddy Creek Falls (a 54 ft. drop). You can take a dip in the waters here, which is refreshing and an Insta-worthy shot, but the watering hole is a popular activity in late spring and summer so prepare for crowds or aim to go during a weekday. Swallow Falls and Lower Falls are smaller waterfalls that are equally breathtaking and sometimes less crowded. Distance from DC: 3 hours Hiking ability required: Beginner to Expert2470 Maple Glade Rd.Oakland MD Online: dnr.maryland.gov/swallowfalls photo: Mark B. via Yekp Kilgore Falls Just under a mile along the way you reach not only the scenic falls but also a swimming spot. Bring the kids, swimsuits, and even your pup along for this one.Distance from DC:80 milesHiking ability required: any3318 Rocks Chrome Hill Rd. Jarrettsville, MDOnline: maryland.gov photo: Laura W. via Yelp Cunningham Falls State Park Cunningham Falls State Park, part of Catoctin Mountain Park, has it all: waterfalls? Check. Swimming, boating, and fishing? Check. A beach? Check! There are even campgrounds, picnic areas, and hiking trails. Located about 18 miles north of Frederick, the park closes when filled to capacity. To note: swimming is not allowed near the falls. Distance from DC: 1.5 hoursHiking ability required: beginner to expert14039 Catoctin Hollow Rd.Thurmont, MDOnline: dnr.maryland.gov WEST VIRGINIA photo: Mark G. via Yelp Blackwater Falls State Park If you've got a budding shooter, take them on this hike popular among both amateur and professional photographers. Elekala Falls is a short walk from Blackwater Falls State Park Lodge; these cascading falls are popular among photographers, but copying some of the more famous shots of this fall will require going off-path and can potentially be dangerous. A simpler, family-friendly option is to head to Blackwater Falls, from which the park gets its name. Distance from DC: 3 hours Hiking ability required: Beginner to expert 1584 Blackwater Lodge Rd.Davis, WVOnline: wvstateparks.com/blackwater-falls-state-park —Meghan Yudes Meyers and Tricia Mirchandani RELATED STORIES: Take a Hike! 9 Easy Trails for Kids Under 5 25 Natural Swimming Holes to Put on Your Bucket List 12 Local Stroller-Friendly Hikes
