Dry Run Falls

Dry Run Falls is a 3.4-mile out-and-back from South River Overlook on Skyline Drive at mile 62.7. Cross the drive to the west side and follow the unpaved Dry Run Falls Fire Road downhill through woods to the stream-side bend nearest the falls; return on the same road. The mapped line drops roughly 570 feet, so you climb that grade back to the overlook. Allow about two hours for the fire-road walk. It is a moderate outing if you're comfortable with a steady climb on the return. Dogs are allowed on a physical leash no longer than six feet.

The road crosses Dry Run, then briefly tracks the stream; smaller cascades appear beside it. The main falls lie farther downstream, off the mapped road. Older hike descriptions place the falls about an eighth of a mile downhill from a sharp right turn and report rough, unmarked bushwhacking. The park map labels the fire road but shows no trail to the falls, and NPS guidance asks visitors to stay on designated routes. The route mapped here stops on the road. If the main falls are your reason for going, check with the park before leaving it.

A 3.2-mile estimate is close to this road geometry; roughly 4-mile reports include extra walking to Lost Cliffs and the rough waterfall bushwhack. The 3.4 miles here follows the mapped fire road to the falls-side bend and back. It excludes both unmarked excursions, so don't use the longer route descriptions as directions for this mapped walk.

NPS researchers documented the rare liverwort Aneura sharpii at Dry Run Falls in 2023 but did not relocate it in 2025 after emerald ash borer tree mortality changed the canopy. Park staff are considering moving search-and-rescue training away from the site. Stay on the mapped route and leave streamside rocks and the unmarked descent alone.