Fairy Stone State Park has a special discovery in store for you who like to hike, it's a waterfall and it is affectionately called Little Mountain Falls. But sometimes it is called "Big Mountain Little Falls" by those who hike it in the drier months.

Without the help of a passing thunderstorm or spring shower

the falls were just barely doing their thing

Little Mountain Falls was nicknamed Big Mountain Little Falls in a cabin journal I read recently. That made me chuckle as I would probably say the same thing. Unless there has been a heavy rain you won't see much of the water falling over the rocky steps that create Little Mountain Falls. But I always like to have a goal in mind when I hike, a special overlook, or scenic sight of interest, so for us this did the trick (or would that be trickle?)

Nevertheless, it is a hike-able reward, so we cast aside the aspersions of the day and donned our newly purchased Virginia State Parks walking sticks that we bought at the park office, and off we went to discover these mysterious falls, or the lack thereof.

What comes down -- you must go up -- to see

A convoluted way to say, if it is a waterfall, then you have to go up there to see it, and that is all part of the fun.

Getting outside in the fresh air, getting some exercise and spending time with family and friends make it all worthwhile. 

The Fairy Stone State Park trail guide said that Little Mountain Falls is 3.3 miles and classified it as difficult. It is a multi-use trail which means that you could encounter horseback riders, mountain bikers as well as the average run-of-the-mill hiker like myself. 

Along our way to the falls we saw butterflies, millipedes, ferns, delicate flowers, bobcat footprints in the mud and plenty of other interesting wild things to keep us occupied, and our minds off our tired muscles and to help propel us onward and upward.

Once we met our goal, Little Mountain Falls, we spent a few minutes enjoying it quietly dribble down the rocks as it slipped downhill into the stream. Climbing the rock steps that would normally be underwater as a part of the falls seemed like a natural thing to do.

Since there are plenty of ways to get to this trail via intersects, I will share with you my preferred method:

    1) Park your vehicle near the campground and go up through the closed park gate near the entrance (don't worry they have blazes along this road and trail as it intersects other trails, so you won't get in trouble), or

    2) Park near the group tent campground and hike up into the main campground and then follow the instructions above. (Note: There is a restroom/bathhouse here for immediate needs).

Saved by a mile

You can cut a mile off of the hike if you do either of those two things and make it more like a 2.25 mile hike, the choice is yours. This involves coming back the way you went, versus doing the whole loop. Alternatively if you do pursue the entire 3.3 mile loop on Little Mountain Falls Trail then you will take advantage of two scenic overlooks that are selfie-worthy as proof of your endeavor. But consider the trail actually being much further, as that is just the Little Mountain Falls portion.

Click map for better view of my highlighted route to Little Mountain Falls

Explore this park

Learn more about the 10+ miles hiking trails, the 168 acre lake with swimming beach and boat rentals, two playgrounds, 25 cabins and lodge, 51 site campground, 6 tent-site group camp, equestrian campground, facilities and more at Fairy Stone State Park here.

Fairy Stone State Park is located at 967 Fairystone Lake Drive, Stuart, VA 24171

Drive Time: Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., six hours (from Washington, DC); Richmond, four hours; Tidewater/ Norfolk/Virginia Beach, five hours; Roanoke, one hour and just 30 minutes from Martinsville. Click here for a Google map.

Take a hike at Fairy Stone State Park