Panther Falls
Amherst, Virginia
Swim
Panther Falls is one of the most popular swimming holes in the central Virginia mountains, a broad, boulder-framed cascade on the Pedlar River just east of the Blue Ridge Parkway near Buena Vista and Vesuvius, within the George Washington National Forest. The falls themselves are only about ten feet high, but the setting is perfect: two massive rock shelves frame the drop, and the deep pool below is almost completely ringed by stone, forming a natural swimming amphitheater that fills with people on hot summer weekends.
Getting there is quick. From the gravel parking area off the Panther Falls Road, a short trail of about four-tenths of a mile drops through the woods to the river, splitting near the falls into a low route down to the water and a high route along the top of the boulders. The high shelves are the draw for the bold: jumpers launch from ledges that stand roughly fifteen to twenty feet above the pool, and the water below is deep enough to take them, though as with any jump the smart move is to wade in and check the depth and landing zone yourself first, since levels shift with rainfall.
The Pedlar is cold, clear mountain water and the spot is genuinely beautiful, but it earns real respect. The short trail is often muddy where small streams cross it, the wet rock is slick, and most important an undercut ledge rings part of the pool while the current can run strong enough that climbing back out is harder than it looks. This is a place where people have gotten into trouble, so it is no spot for weak swimmers or unsupervised kids, and there are no facilities or lifeguards.
Late spring through early fall is the season, and early or midweek visits avoid the biggest crowds. Panther Falls sits close to the Blue Ridge Parkway and pairs naturally with nearby mountain swimming holes like Arnold Valley Pool, about nine miles away, for a full day of Virginia mountain water.
More Information
Lexington, Virginia | Panther Falls
Panther Falls is an extremely popular local swimming hole and waterfall on the Pedlar River bordering the Blue Ridge Parkway. On summer days, the falls…
https://lexingtonvirginia.com/outdoors/activities/attractions/panther-fallsPanther Falls
Panther Falls is an extremely popular local swimming hole and waterfall on the Pedlar River east of the Blue Ridge Parkway. On summer days, the falls are packed with people jumping from the top of the two rock shelves that frame the 10-foot falls. The very short hike to the falls (only .4 miles) offers visitors a choice of a low or high road once reaching the falls. The trail is muddy from being crossed by small streams; caution is advised. An undercut ledge rings the pool and currents can be strong, making climbing out of the water challenging. Use caution while swimming. Driving Directions From the Lexington Visitor Center, drive east on Washington Street to a left at the stoplight onto East Nelson Street (US-60). Continue for 15 miles through Buena Vista and beneath the Blue Ridge Parkway overpass to an immediate right onto a gravel road, Panther Falls Road. Follow the road for three miles before arriving at a clearly marked parking lot for Panther Falls.
https://www.virginia.org/listing/panther-falls/7037/Swimmers’ Guide to the Blue Ridge Parkway -
For 469 miles, the Blue Ridge Parkway follows the ridgeline of the Southern Appalachians, connecting Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina with Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park. Along that stretch of two-lane blacktop are countless trails and backroads -- some of which lead to ice-cold swimming holes.
https://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/hiking/swimmers-guide-blue-ridge-parkway/Visit Amherst County and Panther Falls - Virginia Association of Counties
Panther Falls is an extremely popular local swimming hole and waterfall on the Pedlar River east of the Blue Ridge Parkway. On summer days, the falls are packed with people jumping from the top of the two rock shelves that frame the 10-foot falls. The very short hike to the falls (only .4 miles) offers […]
https://www.vaco.org/county-connections/visit-amherst-county-and-panther-falls/
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Amherst, Virginia
- Head north on Goodwin St toward E Court St (52 ft)
- Turn left at the 1st cross street onto E Court St (148 ft)
- Turn right at the 1st cross street onto S Main St (0.2 mi)
- At the traffic circle, take the 3rd exit onto US-60 W/Lexington Turnpike (21.9 mi)
- Turn left onto Panther Falls Rd (0.6 mi)
- Slight left to stay on Panther Falls Rd (3.6 mi)
- Turn left onto National Forest Rd 315C (0.8 mi)
Other Swimming Holes Nearby
Ben Salem Wayside
Lexington, Virginia
6.4 miles NWSwim near Lexington, Virginia
Swim 
Big Marys Creek Slide
Vesuvius, Virginia
12.2 miles NA natural waterslide that launches you into a swimming hole below, with waterfalls and cool water in the Virginia hills — wear swimwear and foot protection, and check depth first.
Swim 
Arnold Valley Pool
Natural Bridge Station, Virginia
14.3 miles SWArnold Valley Pool is a secluded Blue Ridge swimming hole near Natural Bridge Station, VA, with a 12-foot pool, natural slide, and rope swing.
Swim 
St. Mary's Falls
Raphine, Virginia
18.6 miles NEBlue-green water and unique low rock formations set the scene at this cascading waterfall swimming hole in St. Mary's Wilderness — a 4.4-mile out-and-back hike through George Washington National Forest.
Hike, Swim 
Campbell Creek
Tyro, Virginia
19.4 miles NEA 6-mile Appalachian Trail stretch with good elevation rewards remote explorers with a creek pool at the base of a waterfall — optional swimwear in this backcountry spot.
Swim 
North Creek Area
Mount Solon, Virginia
21.1 miles SWSeveral swimming holes tucked into Jefferson National Forest offer very private dips, with some naturally secluded spots near I-81 and others openly exposed at Jennings Creek.
Swim 
Longdale
Clifton Forge, Virginia
23.3 miles WSwim near Clifton Forge, Virginia
Swim 
Cowpasture River Area
Millboro, Virginia
24.8 miles NWSwim near Millboro, Virginia
Swim 
Pauls Creek
Nellysford, Virginia
27.3 miles NEA quick 1.2-mile hike along Paul's Creek leads to a cascading waterfall and a natural water slide — stones smoothed by the water let visitors slide right into the swimming hole below.
Hike, Swim 
Big Otter River
Goode, Virginia
28.0 miles SSwim near Goode, Virginia
Swim 
Roaring Run
Eagle Rock, Virginia
33.1 miles WSwim near Eagle Rock, Virginia
Swim 
Jefferson Pools
Warm Springs, Virginia
35.9 miles NWNatural hot springs bubble up at 96–98°F through the rock floor of centuries-old wooden bathhouses, with segregated men's and women's pools and optional bathing suits.
Swim 
Mint Springs Valley Park
Crozet, Virginia
39.9 miles NETwo small lakes with sandy beaches, miles of forested hiking and mountain biking trails, a sand volleyball pit, and a playground — all in an eight-acre valley park near Crozet, Virginia.
Hike, Mountain Bike, Swim 
Blowing Springs
Warm Springs, Virginia
40.9 miles NWSwim near Warm Springs, Virginia
Swim 15.7 mi
Sugar Hollow
Crozet, Virginia
41.7 miles NEAn 11-mile loop starting and ending at Sugar Hollow Reservoir, passing Blue Hole and Rip Rap swimming holes — a hiker's way to combine challenge with a cool dip in Shenandoah.
Hike, Swim 
Humpback Bridge
Covington, Virginia
41.8 miles WSwim near Covington, Virginia
Swim 6.1 mi
Rip Rap Hollow
Crozet, Virginia
43.2 miles NEA 50-foot, mountain-fed swimming hole on a difficult 10-mile Shenandoah Valley loop that also passes Chimney Rock and a scenic waterfall — cold, clear, and worth the effort.
Hike, Swim 
Stokesville Campground
Madison, Virginia
45.3 miles NSwim near Madison, Virginia
Swim 
North River Gap
Mount Solon, Virginia
45.7 miles NA free recreation area with an easy 2.4-mile river gorge hike through lush forest, a wading and swimming spot in the North River, and primitive campsites for $5 a night.
Camp, Hike, Swim 
Natural Chimneys
Mount Solon, Virginia
46.4 miles NTowering vertical limestone formations draped in trees and vines, with shallow river swimming holes, 2.5 miles of hiking and biking trails, and a well-equipped 135-site campground.
Camp, Hike, Mountain Bike, SwimNearby Campsites
North River Gap
Mount Solon, Virginia
45.7 miles NA free recreation area with an easy 2.4-mile river gorge hike through lush forest, a wading and swimming spot in the North River, and primitive campsites for $5 a night.
Camp, Hike, Swim
Natural Chimneys
Mount Solon, Virginia
46.4 miles NTowering vertical limestone formations draped in trees and vines, with shallow river swimming holes, 2.5 miles of hiking and biking trails, and a well-equipped 135-site campground.
Camp, Hike, Mountain Bike, Swim
