Little Stony National Recreation Trail

Elevation: 2244 ft.; 1528 ft. (lower end)

The Little Stony National Recreation Trail is a 3.0-mile trail with an upper trailhead at Falls of Little Stony Creek, and a lower trailhead at Hanging Rock Picnic Area. The trail follows Little Stony Creek through a 400-ft deep and 1700-ft wide gorge. Large outcrops, rock ledges, and boulders form the scenic edges along Little Stony Creek.  A scenic 24-foot waterfall, along with two smaller waterfalls, gives the upper trailhead its name. Though much of this region was logged during the early part of the twentieth century, cove hardwoods and hemlock forest cover much of this area. Mountain laurel and rhododendron thickets lace the edges of these trails in various areas, as well. This rock-bedded drainage of Little Stony Creek is excellent for finding Louisiana waterthrush in the summer. Blue-headed vireo and Swainson’s warbler may also be spied along the trail. Several species of wood warblers and songbirds are common during the breeding season. In spring and fall, look for migrant thrushes, warblers, and tanagers.

Please note: This is a moderately difficult hike; in some areas of the trail, hikers will need to climb around/over boulders and large rocks to remain on the trail.

Notes:

• As with all Virginia Bird & Wildlife Trail sites within the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests, please visit the Alerts webpage to check this location’s status before heading out.
• Vault toilets and picnic facilities are available at the lower trailhead in the Hanging Rock Picnic Area, which is open seasonally.
• An additional trail originates out of The Little Stony NRT trailhead area: the Chief Benge Scout Trail, an 15.7-mile trail that travels northwest to Bark Camp Lake, Edith Gap, and to the High Knob Tower and Recreation Area.