LITTLE STONY FALLS AREA

About Little Stony Falls Area

Tucked deep within the rugged hollows of Jefferson National Forest in Scott County, Virginia, Little Stony Falls is the kind of place that rewards those willing to seek it out. The swimming hole sits along Little Stony Creek, a cold, clear-running mountain stream that has carved its way through ancient sandstone and shale over countless millennia. What you find at the end of the trail is nothing short of breathtaking — a dramatic natural amphitheater where waterfalls cascade over layered rock faces into pools of crystalline water, all framed by dense Appalachian forest.

The Setting and Landscape

The scenery here is genuinely wild. Tall hemlocks and hardwoods crowd the creek corridor, their canopy filtering summer sunlight into shifting green-gold patterns on the water's surface. Towering cliff walls and jutting rock formations rise around the falls, giving the whole area the feeling of a secret chamber hidden from the outside world. Wildlife is a constant presence — listen for the call of woodland birds overhead, and keep an eye on the streamside rocks where you might spot a water-loving salamander or a curious kingfisher working the shallows. In autumn, the surrounding forest erupts in brilliant oranges and reds, making a visit in October feel almost surreal in its beauty.

Swimming at Little Stony Falls

The water in Little Stony Creek is exactly what you'd hope for on a sweltering Virginia summer day — cold, clear, and refreshing. The falls feed pools with enough depth for swimming and floating, and the water's clarity lets you see straight to the rocky bottom. This is an unofficial swimming area with no lifeguards or safety personnel on site, so swimmers should use sound judgment, especially after heavy rains when water levels and currents can change quickly. The rocky surroundings that make the scenery so dramatic also demand your attention when moving around — sturdy, closed-toe footwear is essential for navigating the uneven terrain safely. Children and less confident swimmers should exercise extra caution near the falls themselves.

Planning Your Visit

There are no facilities at this site — no restrooms, no picnic tables, no trash cans — so pack out everything you bring in and plan accordingly. Admission is free, and the area sits within Jefferson National Forest, where primitive camping is permitted in the surrounding forest if you want to extend your adventure into an overnight trip. The best time to visit runs from late spring through early fall when water levels are stable and the forest is at its most inviting. Summer weekdays tend to offer the most solitude at this secluded spot.

Little Stony Falls is most easily reached from the nearby towns of Coeburn and Abingdon, Virginia, with Kingsport, Tennessee also within reasonable driving distance for those coming from the south. Stock up on supplies before you head out — the remote setting means you'll want to arrive prepared. Whether you're a photographer chasing that perfect waterfall shot or simply a swimmer looking to escape the heat in one of Virginia's most spectacular natural settings, Little Stony Falls delivers an experience that's hard to forget.