First Day Hike: Blue Suck Falls Trail to Tuscarora Overlook
A First Day Hike (New Years Day) at Douthat State Park, Virginia
Starting the Year on the Trail
There’s something special about beginning a year outside—fresh air, quiet woods, and the rhythm of your feet on a trail. For us, that meant heading to Douthat State Park on January 1st to take part in the Virginia State Parks First Day Hike Program—an annual tradition that encourages people to start the new year with a guided or self-guided walk in nature. If you’re curious about participating or finding other hikes in Virginia for First Day Hikes, here’s the official resource: Virginia State Parks First Day Hike Program, official guide.
Our only mistake: it was 32 degrees with a 10 degree windchill. It was WINDY.
About Douthat State Park
The First Hike Day program provides free entry to the park, hot chocolate, crafts, and guided trails and information sessions with a Park Ranger. We chose to free hike today.
Douthat is located near Clifton Forge in Virginia’s Alleghany Highlands, Douthat State Park is one of the Commonwealth’s most beloved outdoors destinations with over 43 miles of trails through hardwood forests, along ridgelines, and around the sandy lake beach. The park’s trails were originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and 1940s and remain classic examples of sustainable back-to-nature trail design. (Wikipedia)
Whether you’re into hiking, mountain biking, fishing, boating, or simply exploring, Douthat rewards winter exploration with peaceful woods and wide views.
The Blue Suck Falls – Tuscarora Overlook Loop
The full Blue Suck Falls loop is around 9 miles, but we wanted to detour to see the Tuscaroso Cabin, so we took a custom route out and back. Its linked below!
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/afternoon-hike-at-blue-suck-falls-loop-9541ac9
Trail Stats at a Glance
Distance: ~7 miles (out and back) (MyHikes)
Difficulty: Challenging (hard) (Roanoke Outside Foundation)
Elevation Gain/Loss: ~2,000+ ft (onX Maps)
Time: 2-4+ hours (weather and pace dependent)
The trail weaves together several marked trails including Blue Suck Falls Trail, Tuscarora Overlook Trail, Stony Run Trail, and Beards Gap Hollow, providing a full mountain experience. (MyHikes)
Blue Suck Falls
One of the trail’s key highlights, Blue Suck Falls, is named after an Appalachian term (“suck”) that refers to swirling water in a creek or river. The trail to the waterfall is shaded and shaded by forest, often crossing streams and winding through rhododendron thickets. (Roanoke Outside Foundation)
While the falls can be modest during dry spells, they’re particularly beautiful in spring or after rainfall when the flow is higher. Your reward here is both the sound of rushing water and a rocky, scenic spot that feels tucked into the forest.
This hike was a consistent climb with extremely rocky terrain. I considered it difficult for an average person.
Tuscarora Overlook
As the trail ascends, you’ll trade the creekside woods for higher ridges with growing views. Tuscarora Overlook offers a sweeping look across the Alleghany Highlands and out toward Douthat Lake in the distance. A small wood cabin and a bench at the overlook make it a wonderful place to pause, enjoy a snack, and reflect—especially on a fresh January morning. (Virginia DCR)
This viewpoint is aptly named; “Tuscarora” evokes the ridge-top terrain and the long history of the land before it became a state park.
Why We Love Day Hikes in Virginia Parks
Participating in the Virginia State Parks First Day Hike Program is about more than mileage—it’s about starting a year with intention. Whether at Douthat or another park, these hikes are free, welcoming to all ages and abilities, and a chance to connect with nature when many of us are still resetting from the holidays.
Learn more and find other First Day Hikes here: Virginia State Parks First Day Hikes info page
Wrapping Up Back at the Lake
After we finished the Blue Suck Falls–Tuscarora Overlook loop, we took a moment by Douthat Lake to enjoy the still surface of water framed by winter woods. If you have extra time, Douthat’s sandy beach and picnic areas are lovely year-round, and cabins and camping are available for longer stays. (Wikipedia)
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or someone just stepping onto the trail for the first time, the Blue Suck Falls to Tuscarora Overlook loop invites you to approach the new year with fresh lungs and open eyes. Douthat State Park isn’t just a place to hike—it’s a doorway into Virginia’s deep outdoor heritage and a reminder that every season has its own beauty if you’re willing to explore it.
