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Bottom Creek Gorge Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 179 Google reviews · Running trail in Shawsville, Virginia · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Crushed gravel
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Bottom Creek Gorge Preserve's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Nature preserve centered on a mountain stream with a series of waterfalls, and offering hiking trails.
What runners say about Bottom Creek Gorge Preserve
“Well maintained and beautiful waterfall hike.”
“A very beautiful place to hike and see nature, while you walk and hear the sound of the waterfall.”
“Otherwise, it's not a difficult hike, and it's well-marked.”
“The trail was very peaceful and easy walking.”
“The trail is a very easy hike back down to join the Red trail and back to the parking lot.”
ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL HIKE! Right now the entire conservatory is one way due to COVID restrictions. I hiked up the Red trail for a bit and then the yellow trail. Started out Beautiful with lush greenery and some small blooms. The trail doves down into the gorge and down by the stream.
Amazing waterfall! Parking lot is fairly small, mostly mud and dirt save for a few pull-off spots; so if you have a small car you may be better off finding a parking spot along the road.
There were 3 trails..Yellow trail would lead you to flowing Bottom creek, Red trail would lead you to overlook for Bent Mountain Falls and Blue Trail. I started from Yellow trail which is connected to Red trail and I continued on Blue trail to make whole 4 miles loop.
Very beautiful hike. The trails are well marked and easily accessible. I would rate this as an intermediate hike considering in some spots of the hike you have to be careful. Best overall hike I've done in some time. I highly recommend it if you haven't been.
Trail conditions & character
“Yellow trail would lead you to flowing Bottom creek, Red trail would lead you to overlook for Bent Mountain Falls and Blue Trail.”
“Parking lot is fairly small, mostly mud and dirt save for a few pull-off spots; so if you have a small car you may be better off finding a parking spot along the road.”
“Be careful at the overlook though, it's fairly flat but has a pretty steep drop-off.”
“The trail was very peaceful and easy walking.”
“Please note that dogs are not permitted at the preserve.”
“Otherwise, it's not a difficult hike, and it's well-marked.”
“I started from Yellow trail which is connected to Red trail and I continued on Blue trail to make whole 4 miles loop.”
“The trails are well marked and easily accessible.”
Plan your run at Bottom Creek Gorge Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceCrushed gravel — the rail-trail classic: softer than asphalt, still smooth enough for tempo work
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitenature.org
- Phone+1 434-295-6106
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–8 pm |
| Sunday | 9 am–8 pm |
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