Bottom Creek Gorge Preserve — Attraction in Cave Spring

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. some great mountain rapids here with a small off-shoot to the waters edge. Get ready because the climb back out is the hardest part of the trail. I took several breaks on the way back out. At the top I took the Red trail to the overlook. It's a drop-off overlooking the waterfall which is one of the tallest in VA. From there I doubled back to hit the Blue trail which is a great way stroll through the mountains. Along the way it goes through what I've been told from the locals as all old slave settlement. There are remnants of log cabins that scatter throughout with a small cemetery. The trail is a very easy hike back down to join the Red trail and back to the parking lot. This is my...

This is a privately owned park, so don't expect it to be perfectly maintained. There are a number of downed trees across path, and they've been there for a while. Otherwise, it's not a difficult hike, and it's well-marked. I went at 8 a.m. on a Saturday in July, and I saw only one couple, headed in at 9:30. The parking lot was empty besides their car and mine.

The view of the waterfall at the end was underwhelming. The falls were taller than I expected, and nearly vertical, but very distant and on the other side of a valley. The view from the overlook at the end of the trail is not at all panoramic.

The hike itself was great. There were more conifers than I expected to see, and lots of rhododendron. On the yellow-blazed trail, there are cool stone stairs and access to a fun, rocky spot to wade on the river or sit on a rock and read. On the blue-blazed trail, you might notice a hundred-year...

A few different trails that are all calm. It's nothing too special I would recommend driving far to hike. The views are scenic once you get by the river (small section of the way). I wonder if there's places to swim once it gets warmer? The main view is the waterfall. A little disappointing from so far away. ....I don't think it's legal to encourage anyone to climb down to the base of the falls...

....but if you do find an excusable reason to be there, I feel like it's about a 300-400ft descent. Steep, but not necessarily steep enough you "need" a rope. It is very dangerous and you risk serious injury/death. Also, trespassing? The slope is covered in several inches of loose dirt and debris. If you slip, grab for the nearest tree. The climb back up sucks too. About 30-60mins. The world needs more...