Big Rock Falls - Hike and Swim near Syria, Virginia
Syria,Virginia
38.4954, -78.4241
5.3 miles W of Syria, Virginia
GPS: 38°29'43.4"N 78°25'26.8"W
Maps | Directions
State: Virginia
Trails/Routes: 0.3 mi

Rivers Waterfalls Trails

Hike and Swim

Big Rock Falls is an easy hike to a beautiful cascading waterfall. The hike follows Mill Prong River giving hikers a beautiful view of the flowing water, forests and rock formations for the entire hike.  The hike to the Falls is 1.5 miles and is considered moderately difficult. There is a steady change in elevation and the trail is rocky. The trail is also well marked and easy to follow. 

When the water is at higher flow there is a spot on Mill Prong river before you reach big falls where the water pools into a decent swimming hole. This gives visitors an opportunity to cool off and enjoy the clean water. Swimming is done at your own risk and swimmers should check water safety before swimming.

The fee to enter the park is $30 per vehicle. This pass is good for a week from time of purchase.

4.2K Edited by tasiawhicker

Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.

Read More
  1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
  2. Travel & camp on durable surfaces
  3. Dispose of waste properly
  4. Leave what you find
  5. Minimize campfire impacts
  6. Respect wildlife
  7. Be considerate of other visitors

Directions

From Syria, Virginia

  1. Head southeast on VA-670 toward Bohannon Rd (1.7 mi)
  2. Turn right onto State Rte 649 (2.4 mi)
  3. Continue onto Rapidan Rd (5.2 mi)
  4. Continue onto Rapidan Fire Rd
    Restricted usage road
    (0.4 mi)
  5. Turn left
    Restricted usage road
    (0.6 mi)
to add photos & videos and suggest edits

Guest Review/Comments

/5
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Edit Review Delete Review
Reply Cancel
Big Rock Falls; Shenandoah National Park, Virginia by Chris Sanfino

Trails

Distance ?

0.3 miles

Elevation Gain ?

188 feet

Real Ascent ?

188 feet

Real Descent ?

0 feet

Avg Grade (6°)

11%

Grade (3° to 8°)

5% to 14%

Elevation differences are scaled for emphasis. While the numbers are accurate, the cut-away shown here is not to scale.

Other Swimming Holes and Hiking Trails Nearby

Add Location

Rose River

Syria, Virginia

3.4 miles E

Rose River Falls is a beautiful forested hike in Shenandoah National Park. The lush greenery in this area provides ample shade for hikers as they explore this four mile trail. Rose River Trail is...

Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

Old Rag Area

Crewe, Virginia

4.5 miles NE

There are numerous (we list 6 locations) swimming holes at the bottom of falls and elsewhere in rivers in the East Central region of the Shenandoah National Park, in the vicinity of...

Swim

swim Swimming Hole

2.8 mi

Cedar Run Falls

Oldrag, Virginia

4.5 miles NE

Cedar Run Falls is a strenuous but rewarding hiking trail located in central Shenandoah National Park. This over 8 mile trail gives hikers views of six different waterfalls along the trail...

Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

Rapidan Rivers

Madison, Virginia

4.6 miles SE

Rapidian Rivers is a perfect location to cool off while enjoying the day at Shenandoah National Park. The water along the Rapidian Rivers deepens in several places creating several unique swimming...

Swim

swim Swimming Hole

Whiteoak Canyon

Syria, Virginia

5.8 miles NE

Whiteoak Canyon is a beautiful hiking area in Shenandoah National Park. This hike features two very unique waterfalls, Upper Whiteoak Falls and Lower Whiteoak Falls. Lower Whiteoak Falls is...

Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

Nicholson Hollow Trail

Morning Star, Virginia

8.9 miles NE

Nicholson Hollow Trail is a moderately strenuous trail that explores a more remote area of Shenandoah National Park. Hikers hoping to access this trail can find it off of Skyline Drive between Stoney...

Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

5.1 mi

Hazel River Falls

Sperryville, Virginia

12.2 miles NE

Hazel River Falls is a moderately difficult trail located inside Shenandoah National Park. This 5.3 mile hike follows Hazel River from the Meadow Spring Parking Area. This trail has a change in...

Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

Fridley Gap

Keezletown, Virginia

15.4 miles W

The Mountain Run swimming hole, also known as the Fridley Gap Hole, located just outside of Keezleton, Virginia, is a popular swimming hole located at about the halfway point of a great hiking loop...

Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

Piney River

Sperryville, Virginia

16.9 miles NE

Piney River is a great location for visitors hoping to experience multiple swimming holes in the same location. Visitors hoping to reach the swimming holes should follow Cumberland Trail down Piney...

Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

Rock Mills

Castleton, Virginia

19.3 miles NE

CLOSED. This property is owned by the Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church. Swimmers here without a permit will be prosecuted for trespassing. The Rock Mills swimming area, located near Castleton, Virginia, is...

Swim

swim Swimming Hole

3.8 mi

Overall Run Falls

Overall, Virginia

21.9 miles N

Overall Run Falls is a challenging hike along one of Virginia's longest consecutively running waterfalls. Located in Shenandoah National Park, Overall Run Falls is accessible from Hogback...

Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

Hazel Falls

Rixeyville, Virginia

23.9 miles E

Hazel Falls is a beautiful swimming hold near Double Ford, Virginia. Though this swimming hole is not large or deep, the water is cool and clear. This remote swimming hole surrounded by beautiful...

Swim

swim Swimming Hole

Charlottesville Area

Williamsville, Virginia

25.6 miles S

Two nice swimming places north of Charlottesville. For details... Fees: Yes

Swim

swim Swimming Hole

Overall Area

Crewe, Virginia

27.4 miles N

Swim near Crewe, Virginia

Swim

swim Swimming Hole

Gooney Creek

Front Royal, Virginia

27.5 miles N

Camp, Hike, and Swim near Front Royal, Virginia

Camp, Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

6.1 mi

Rip Rap Hollow

Crozet, Virginia

28.7 miles SW

Rip Rap Hollow is a secluded swimming hole that makes for a great stop along the 10 mile loop hike in Shenandoah Valley. This is a difficult hike, but for those up to the challenge it provides...

Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

Elizabeth Furnace

Strasburg, Virginia

30.4 miles N

Elizabeth Furnace is a recreation area with many options for people hoping to reconnect with nature. This beautiful area is equip with a campground that allows visitors to explore for multiple days....

Camp, Hike, Mountain Bike, Rock Climb, Swim

rock climb Rock Climbing Wall

mountain bike Mountain Bike Trail

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

15.6 mi

Sugar Hollow

Crozet, Virginia

30.4 miles SW

Sugar Hollow Loop is an 11 mile hiking loop that starts and ends and Sugar Hollow Reservoir. While no swimming and boating are allowed at the reservoir, this is a fun place to enjoy the beautiful...

Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

Buzzard Rock Hole

Strasburg, Virginia

31.5 miles N

Buzzard Rock Hole is a popular swimming hole in the forests below the famous Buzzard Rock. The hike to Buzzard Rock is a moderate hike that can be anywhere from 4 to seven miles depending on what...

Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

Blue Hole Bergton

Bergton, Virginia

33.0 miles NW

Blue Hole is a day use picnic area in Rockingham County Virginia. This picnic area is near a river that has been a popular spot for swimming and wading over the years. Do to flooding and erosion this...

Swim

swim Swimming Hole

More Similar Arenas Near Big Rock Falls:

Swimming Holes Hiking Trails Things to Do

Nearby Campsites

More Campsites Near Big Rock Falls:

Campsites

Embed Arena

Where do you plan to embed this code?

<script src="https://www.freearenas.com/embed/ad2319324"></script>

Copy
×
loading...

Edit Your Experience

Log Your Visit to This Location

We've logged that you went. Is there anything else you want to add?

Thank you for your review/comment

We've recorded your comments. Is there anything else you want to add?

By recording your visit on FreeArenas.com, you'll have a collection of all the great places you've been and provide valuable information for yourself and others in the future.

Have you been to this location?

/5
Cancel

Donate to the Cause

Help us inspire and inform every person to enjoy life and the great outdoors in a responsible way. There's a lot of ways to do this. Here's a few ways we're working on our mission right now: Providing information, Building and maintaining local trails, Helping and teaching kids to fix their bikes, Cleaning up local parks to provide safe and clean places to enjoy nature. Learn More

Update Review

/5

New Collection

Add an Arena

Just some quick info about this location to get started...