Hike Blue Suck Falls and the Tuscarora Overlook
Millboro, Virginia
Details
Distance
7.2 miles
Elevation Gain
2200 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Description
Added by Elyse Clark
Just a few miles off I-64 near Covington, VA, this beautiful 7.2 mile hike in Douthat State Park has a nice waterfall and many beautiful overlooks.
In Douthat State Park, park at the Discovery Center/Amphitheater parking lot near the children's fishing area. The Blue Suck Falls trail head will be towards the dam on the left side and is well-marked.
Note: A trail map is highly recommended for this trail! It is fairly well-marked with blue blazes, but has 5 separate trail intersections and it may be easy to get turned around if you don't have a map. For a map click here.
The trail to Blue Suck Falls is easy with minimal elevation gain, and you'll reach the falls after 1.5 miles. There is a nice stone bench to sit and rest that overlooks the small waterfall. Continuing on from here, the trail gets steeper and steeper and has many switchbacks as it ascends Middle Mountain.
After 3.1 miles you'll intersect the yellow-blazed Tuscarora Overlook Trail, turn left downhill on this trail. After another 0.5 miles keep left at the intersection and shortly after you'll arrive at an old cabin at the Tuscarora Overlook. People have camped at this cabin, and if you do, please pack out your trash-there was trash everywhere when I was here.
Once finished, simply retrace your steps on the yellow-blazed Tuscarora Overlook Trail, then turn right onto the Blue Suck Falls Trail and follow this back to the parking area.
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Reviews
I waded out into the water a bit (closer to the falls) for a more interesting angle on a long exposure shot. Could have skipped these falls, however.
3.0
We hiked past Blue Suck Falls to the Tuscarora Overlook. This is a trail that requires you to follow the written instructions given with the map on the website. (The trail markers are just "continue straight" which I personally find annoying, there were only a few different colors, while there are many different trails. I assume this is because it was at a state park with a trail system, but it is still harder to follow.) The overlook was beautiful, but the trees/plants behind the fence have grown up quite a bit so my pictures don't look nearly as good as the ones on this site. The trails were not as maintained as I would have expected, there was a LOT of plant growth over the trail and a number of large fallen trees no one had done anything with. There is an area near the start of the trail with a manmade waterfall that is nice to sit at after hiking. Also the park had portapotties which is always good to know.
3.0
Was disappointed by Blue Suck “Falls”, but the Tuscarora Overlook was beautiful. We hiked pass the “Fall” thinking there was going to be a bigger one... Some of the signs were confusing, but we got a map from the nice lady at the little tower (where we paused for a day pass). If you are looking for a hike before Falling Spring Fall. This one isn’t terrible to start.
3.0
I didn't get through the whole hike as storms were in the area and didn't want to get caught, but I did get to the waterfall. It is a fairly easy hike to the waterfall and in late may the mountain sides are full of pink and white mountain flowers. It's a nice area to checkout on a free weekend!
4.0
So THAT'S what the falls look like! They were all dried up when I went in September. I'm glad I finally got to see them! (though the views at the overlook were worth the hike)
4.0
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