Hike or Backpack Beautiful Virgin Falls

1 hour and 50 minutes from Nashville

 9 miles roundtrip, extra 1 mile for overlook trail, extra .15 miles for Sheep Cave

Virgin Falls are lovely because you can hike behind them. These falls require more effort to see than most other falls near Nashville, so you will feel more accomplished when you arrive, feel their mist, and admire their beauty. And as a bonus, there are backpacking campsites along the trail! Virgin Falls could be a lot for a day trip due to the driving distance and the length of the hike. It is doable, though, if you arrive early.

Virgin Falls are rain-dependent. If you want to really see the water flowing, don’t go during a drought.

There is parking at the trailhead. Set your GPS to Virgin Falls State Natural Area, Sparta, TN 38583. The internet is spotty as you get close to the parking area, so don’t exit out of your map app. You’ll turn right onto Scott Gulf Road, take that for 2 miles, then turn right into the parking lot or park along the road.

Camping for Virgin Falls

If you own a backpack, I would recommend camping. There are backpacking options along the trail in 3 different areas. Camping gets my vote for a few reasons:

1. You get to spend more time in this beautiful area.

2. You can set up camp, drop your packs, and hike to the falls feeling lighter.

3. I love when you can backpack without crazy permits, fees, and this close to the city!

Update:  When I backpacked Virgin Falls, you self-registered at the trailhead. You can now reserve your spot online here. It is $8 for the spot plus a $5 reservation fee.

This is primitive camping. No water spouts, no pit toilets, etc. Be prepared.

Get your printable Backpacking Packing List here.

The first camping spots are about 2.5 miles in, right after the cable crossing. Or you can hike up to Martha’s Pretty Point and camp there. The 2^nd camping option is near Big Laurel Falls, a few miles in, which is where we camped. It was a lovely campsite, but the falls were definitely not “big” when we were there. The 3^rd camping option is near Virgin Falls. Keep in mind that if you camp near Virgin Falls, you will have to carry your packs the entire way in and out.

Nurse Advice / what I thought was common sense:

We met some people who were drinking the water straight from the pool below Big Laurel Falls because they claimed it tasted better that way. Please don’t do this. Filter your water.

The Hike

The hike is about 9 miles roundtrip. The hike in is relatively easy and mostly downhill. As you can guess, the hike out is difficult and mostly uphill. There is an optional overlook trail to Martha’s Pretty Point that I’d highly recommend. We dumped our packs in the grass and hiked up.

Martha’s Pretty Point, worth the extra mile

Virgin Falls are a little over 4 miles from the trailhead. You can explore here, being careful not to slip. The rocks are slick! The falls weren’t huge when we were there, but it was still serene to sit behind the falls and watch the water cascade down. Hiking to the top is worth it because you can see the cave that the water rushes from.

Sitting behind the falls

Stinging Nettles

The most important advice I have for this hike is to AVOID THE STINGING NETTLES. I was warned about them when I went. I had no clue what they were, laughed off whoever told me about them, and didn’t even know they were a plant. Of course, I fell on my ass while hiking down to Big Laurel Falls. And of course, I fell into a whole bunch of stinging nettles. I didn’t realize this at first, so when my arms, legs, butt, and hands started to show pink puffy spots combined with an unbelievable amount of itching and stinging, I panicked. “This is it,” I thought. “This is how I die while camping.”

A little dramatic, I know.

But guys, THEY STING. I eventually realized what was causing my torture, that I should have listened to the man warning me about stinging nettles, and that I would not be dying in the woods. The name does not lie. Apparently, the little “hairs” at the end of their leaves are like hypodermic needles, and they inject you with chemicals. No joke. The bumps they produce are awful, itchy, and painful. You have been warned about the worst plant in existence, and they are all along the trail. Just brushing up against them is enough to feel their pain.

If you do encounter stinging nettles, do not rub the area! It can make the pain and itching last longer. Rinse the area with clean water and apply hydrocortisone cream or Calamine lotion if you have it. I took a Benadryl after, and it seemed to help.

The vicious stinging nettle

Besides the stinging nettle panic, this was such a nice, short weekend trip to get out of the city, be completely in nature, and check off a Tennessee waterfall. Virgin Falls should be on everyone’s list if you live in the area. After you check Virgin Falls out, see the other Best Waterfall Hikes near Nashville.

What? You want more active options in Nashville? Here are 8 free and cheap yoga options just for you.

Also, if anyone knows why they are called Virgin Falls, I would love to know.

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