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Virgin Falls State Natural Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 419 Google reviews · Running trail in Sparta, Tennessee · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- 4.1 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Virgin Falls State Natural Area'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.
Over 1,000 acres of picturesque wilderness with hiking trails, campsites, waterfalls & caves.
What runners say about Virgin Falls State Natural Area
“Great park with beautiful waterfalls and a nice network of trails and back country campsites for backpacking.”
“Other than the inaccurate mileage markers, the trail was well marked with red trailblazers, clean, and not crowded (today not sure about weekends).”
Great park with beautiful waterfalls and a nice network of trails and back country campsites for backpacking. Be warned there's lots of poison ivy along most of the trails so take proper precautions. Best time to visit is after a good rainfall so the waterfalls are pumping.
Very tough coming back!! Pretty easy on the way there...almost to Virgin Falls there is a sign ..to the left it says .5 to virgin..on the right.. .8 to virgin..whatever way you take its a loop..do the loop or you will miss a waterfall..i went to sheeps cave falls and thought it was virgin falls..
Do not follow the GPS to falls, it will take you no where. Navigate to Virgin Falls trailhead parking. Amazing waterfalls at the end of a beautiful 4mile hike. 4~5 hour round trip just to the falls, there are some overlooks and small falls on the way if you want to take deviations.
My husband and I attempted the hike to Virgin Falls in '21, and I just couldn't make it. We tried again yesterday, and met many friendly folks with insight about the hike or amazing stories to share. We were grateful for all of them!
Trail conditions & character
“The views were absolutely breathtaking on your way down to the Virgin falls, it is once you were there that you realized that you have to go 4.”
“We arrived about noon today (Thursday) Although there were only a few people hiking on the trail today, parking is very limited at the Rylander Cascades Trailhead.”
“The trail is muddy, slippery in spots, uneven with plenty of rocks and tree roots, and has considerable stretches with significant incline.”
“The trail is muddy, slippery in spots, uneven with plenty of rocks and tree roots, and has considerable stretches with significant incline.”
“I wouldn't say the terrain is super rugged, but it does have elevations and again it's a 8+ mile loop.”
“We took our dogs, who were on leash the entire time.”
“Other than the inaccurate mileage markers, the trail was well marked with red trailblazers, clean, and not crowded (today not sure about weekends).”
“The trailhead to Virgin Falls has portapotties and a manned station to give out maps and answer questions.”
Plan your run at Virgin Falls State Natural Area
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- Loop distance4.1 mi back to where you parked
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitetn.gov
- Phone(423) 881-3297
Hours
| Monday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–5 PM |
Running trails near Sparta
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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