Waterfalls of the watershed

The Chesapeake Bay is known for its low-lying, flat terrain. But on their way to the Bay, rivers and streams flow through beautiful mountain landscapes. 

This means one thing: waterfalls! 

All across the Bay’s 64,000-square-mile watershed, you can find waterfalls big and small that you can hike to. Here are just a few from across the region.

Dark Hollow Falls (Shenandoah National Park, Va.)

Dark Hollow Falls is a popular, 70-foot waterfall located just off Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. The falls are located at the bottom of a wooded ravine you can reach from a short but very steep 1.4-mile out-and-back trail. The falls are along Hogcamp Branch, a stream that includes another waterfall: Rose River Falls.

Cunningham Falls (Cunningham Falls State Park, Md.)

Nestled in the Catoctin Mountains, Cunningham Falls is the tallest waterfall in the state of Maryland at 78-feet. Hikers can reach the falls via the easy 0.5-mile Lower Trail or the slightly more rugged Cliff Trail. The surrounding park sits within the Potomac watershed and offers access to hunting, fishing and a nearby mountain lake.

Great Falls (Potomac, MD / McLean, VA- Just outside D.C.)

Just outside of Washington, D.C., along the border of Maryland and Virginia, Great Falls features dramatic whitewater rapids where the Potomac River drops 76 feet into the narrow Mather Gorge. Hikers can access dramatic overlooks via short, flat boardwalks or extend their walk along the historic C&O Canal Towpath and Billy Goat Trail. Experienced whitewater paddlers will take on the intense Class V rapids, while guided tours are offered in the milder Class II/III rapids just downstream. 

Mill Creek Falls (York County, Pa.)

Short but scenic, the Mill Creek Falls is a 25-foot waterfall tucked along the lower Susquehanna River near Airville, Pennsylvania. The falls are a brief five-minute walk from River Road that brings hikers directly to the base of the cascade. Visitors looking for a longer trek can connect to the blue-blazed Mason-Dixon Trail for scenic views overlooking the Susquehanna River gorge. 

Upper Seneca Falls (Pendleton County, W.Va.)

The Upper Seneca Falls is a picturesque 30-foot waterfall that cascades into a clear, deep swimming hole of the Monongahela National Forest. Hikers can reach the falls from the Seneca Creek Trail, a 10-mile out-and-back path that crosses over streams and other smaller falls. 

The waterfall's secluded, pristine setting makes it widely considered one of the best wilderness waterfall hikes in West Virginia.

Have you visited any of these falls or have more to add to the list? Let us know in the comments!