Last updated: April 6, 2023

Nestled only about a mile from my house is Thistlethwaite Falls. To get there, I just take the Cardinal Greenway (which is only a few minutes from my driveway) and enjoy the mile walk that takes me to this stunning waterfall. Imagine how pleased I was to discover how close I was to this! I’ve always loved waterfalls, so this is really a treat for me.

The Walk to Thistlethwaite Falls

Thistlethwaite Falls was definitely on the list of things to show my parents during their first visit to Richmond. We all enjoyed the walk and the last weekend of the summer greenery before the leaves changed (you can see the autumn foliage of this same walk here taken a couple of weeks later) as we made our way to the falls.

Springwood Park

As we entered the park where the falls are located, we were met by a waddling of ducks crossing the road to get into the nearby pond. The paddling swam in just the right direction for me to include them with the park sign as they swam away. Note: I will never tire of learning the specific names to use for groups of animals!

Springwood Park spans 104 acres and features a 30-acre lake. Amenities include:

• Cardinal Greenway trail access
• Nature Area
• Nature Trail
• Picnic Areas
• Playground
• Restrooms
• Shelters (Open Air and Enclosed)
• Volleyball Courts

This park would take many weekends to thoroughly explore which I plan to do!

Thistlethwaite Falls

In 1854, Timothy Thistlethwaite and his brother-in-law dammed the water of the river that caused a change in the course of the river to flow into a new channel over a rocky ledge forming Thistlethwaite Falls. Several mills were built at the site. The mills are gone, but the falls remain.

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There is a 3.5 wooded hiking trail that continues past the waterfall that I plan to complete at some point.

So basically, I’ll just be spending the next couple of years getting very familiar with this area since it’s so close and each visit can be different based on if you’re visiting the park or the waterfall hiking trail. Heck, I might get crazy one day and continue on the Geeenway to find out what’s past the waterfall… I do have 62 whole miles of the Greenway to explore!

So what do you think? If you’re ever in Richmond let me know and I’ll show you around.