Asheville Top 25+ North Carolina Waterfalls |
| Also see: Waterfall Scenic Drives & Maps | Mountain Swimming Holes | Top 50 Hikes | Whitewater Rafting | Outdoors Guides | Wintry Waterfall Scenes | Waterfall Jeep Tour Nantahala Gorge | Top 20 Picnic Spots | Why stay in a B&B? | Top 10 Ways to Beat the Heat |
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If you love to find waterfalls in western North Carolina, the Asheville area is the place for you! While there are hundreds of falls in our area, these are our Top 25 favorite waterfalls (plus a few extra) near Asheville in the Blue Ridge Mountains - the most beautiful and easy to find and enjoy. See a Google Map of these waterfalls at bottom of page.
Best North Carolina Waterfalls |
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1,2 & 3: DuPont State Forest is our favorite waterfall hike. With a three-mile easy trail with a few climbs, you enjoy three great waterfalls, High Falls, Triple Falls and Hooker Falls. Located about 40 miles southwest of Asheville (near Brevard and Hendersonville), this 10,000-acre North Carolina state forest was a film location for the Hunger Games.
 See our guide and video of the DuPont Waterfalls. |
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4: Looking Glass Falls is one of the most beautiful and easily viewed waterfalls in western North Carolina. Enjoy it from the roadside parking area on US 276 (Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway) north of Brevard, near the Blue Ridge Parkway. Or walk down the steps for a closer look. Nearby in the Pisgah National Forest is Sliding Rock and Moore Cove Falls.
See our guide and video of Looking Glass Falls. |
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5 & 6: Rainbow Falls is a mighty 150-foot waterfall in the Nantahala National Forest. Access it via a 3-mile roundtrip hike from Gorges State Park. Enjoy the falls safely on boulder at its base or at the top. A little upstream is Turtleback Falls, a cool summer swimming hole. You will find more smaller falls if you continue on the trail.
See our guide and video of Rainbow Falls and Turtleback Falls.
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7: Sliding Rock is the favorite natural mountain 60-foot waterslide in the Pisgah National Forest, near Brevard (just a few miles from Looking Glass Rock Falls). Slip and slide down - or just stop by to watch.
See our guide and video of Sliding Rock.
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8: Linville Falls is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Trails lead to views of both the upper and lower falls. Erwins View Trail, a moderate walk of 1.6 miles round trip, offers hikers four overlooks, each revealing a different aspect of the Linville Falls area. Linville Falls has the largest volume of water of any waterfall on the northern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
See our guide and video of Linville Falls |
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9: Graveyard Fields is about 37 miles southwest of Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway. An excellent loop trail (Graveyard Fields Loop) enters the area from the overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway and lead to two waterfalls on the Yellowstone Prong. Beautiful Second Falls is just 1/3 mile walk from the parking area.
See our Graveyard Fields Guide. |
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10: Crabtree Falls is a beautiful 70-foot waterfall along the Blue Ridge Parkway, near Linville Falls, accessed by a two-mile loop hiking trail that starts by the campground.
See our Crabtree Falls Guide. |
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11: Dry Falls is unique since you can walk behind this impressive 75-foot waterfall in the Nantahala National Forest near Highlands. And you stay dry - hence the name - unless the water volume is really high during rainy periods. It's located roadside, so it's easy to enjoy.
See our Dry Falls video and guide. |
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12, 13 & 14: Glen Falls is probably the most beautiful waterfall setting in the Highlands area - and one of the least visited since it's not on the main highway and it requires a 2.5-mile roundtrip hike. There are two separate cascades, so you enjoy two waterfalls. It's just a few miles from Dry Falls. There are quite a few waterfalls along the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway. Drive behind Bridal Veil Falls. And take your dip in Bust Your Butt Falls.
See our Highlands & Cashiers Waterfall Guide.
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15: Skinny Dip Falls is just two miles away from Graveyard Fields on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's a fun summer swimming spot (and beautiful waterfall), a short hike from the Parkway.
See our Skinny Dip Falls video and guide. |
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16: Pearson's Falls is a 90-foot waterfall in a beautiful glen that is accessed by a short hiking trail. Located between Saluda and Tryon, it's a must if you are driving on I-26 to/from South Carolina.
See our Pearson's Falls video and guide. |
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17: Upper Whitewater Falls is the highest waterfall east of the Rockies. The falls plunge an amazing 411 feet! The best part is that you can get a great view with a short walk.The walkway begins at the end of the parking lot and is accessible to wheelchairs. A lower overlook is located at the bottom of 154 wooden steps.
See our guide and video of Upper Whitewater Falls. |
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18: Soco Falls near Maggie Valley and Cherokee is a spectacular waterfall along U.S. Highway 19. You can easily miss it since there are no signs! This twin waterfall has an observation deck a short walk from a small parking area. You can also hike down to the base of both falls.
See our Soco Falls video and guide. |
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19: Hickory Nut Falls at Chimney Rock Park is one of the highest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River. It is reached via the easy Hickory Nut Falls trail to a platform at its bottom. It was featured in the movie, The Last of the Mohicans. Especially impressive after a good rain.
See our Hickory Nut Falls video and guide. |
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20, 21 & 22: Tom Branch Falls, Indian Creek Falls and Juney Whank Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are located in the Deep Creek area and can be enjoyed with a two-mile hike. Deep Creek is also a popular tubing spot.
See our Deep Creek Waterfalls video and guide. |
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23: Catawba Falls in the Pisgah National Forest is just three miles from I-40 in Old Fort! Hike 1.5 miles to the lower falls, a 100-foot cascade. Continue on a very strenuous hike to the stunning upper falls.
See our Catawba Falls video and guide. |
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24: Mingo Falls is a 200-foot waterfall near Cherokee and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It's a short hike up a long staircase.
See Mingo Falls video and guide. |
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25: Moore Cove Falls is a hidden jewel near the popular Looking Glass Falls. The easy 1.5-mile roundtrip hike takes you to this 50-foot tall waterfall. While the water flow is not impressive, it's a beautiful setting and you can walk behind the waterfall. Since there are no signs for this waterfall along the highway, you won't find the crowds at nearby Looking Glass Falls.
See our Moore Cove Falls Guide. |
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26: Daniel Ridge Falls (near Moore Cove and Looking Glass Falls) is a 150-foot cascade in Pisgah National Forest. It's also known as Tom's Spring Branch Falls. Accessed by a one-mile roundtrip hike.
See our Daniel Ridge Falls Guide
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27 & 28: Roaring Fork Falls and Setrock Creek Falls are just two miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway near NC Highway 80 in Pisgah National Forest at the base of Mt. Mitchell. Both are accessed by one-mile roundtrip easy hikes.
See our guides for Roaring Fork Falls and Setrock Creek Falls. |
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NEW! Waterfall Scenic Drives & Waterfall Maps
For more hikes, see our Top 40 Asheville Hiking Trails. Also see wintry scenes from some of these waterfalls.
CAUTION: Do not wade in water above a waterfall. Several people die each year after being swept over a waterfall in the area.
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Waterfall Safety Tips:
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Many of the North Carolina waterfalls require a hike. Our favorite 25 waterfalls above all have well-maintained, safe trails that are not strenuous or "technical." Be sure to take hiking instructions or a map with you. Often trail markers fade, fall or are hidden by leaves. So you don't want to make a wrong turn!
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Of course, waterfalls can be dangerous places with swift currents and slippery cliffs. So just use good common sense. The mist from the falling water can create very slippery rocks. Wear walking shoes with a good grip (no flip flops!).
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Don't go off the trail and try to climb up rock ledges along the waterfall. And be very careful if you are standing at the top of a cascade. Each year, our falls claim lives of careless visitors. The water is swift and cold.
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A few of the waterfalls have a safe place for wading. At others, there are sharp rocks under the water near the base. So it may falsely look like a great place to jump in.
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Many of the hiking trails cross streams or are wet from springs. So bring an extra pair of shoes and socks for the car in case your feet get wet. And an extra change of clothes is a good idea if you get caught in a summer thunderstorm.
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Bring your camera, but be careful when trying to get that perfect angle!
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Be considerate of other visitors to a waterfall. Don't spoil this quiet, romantic setting for others trying to connect with nature.
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Take time to enjoy waterfall, after you take all the effort to find it! Bring a picnic or snack (and water of course). Be sure to take all extra food and your trash back with you.
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Be aware of the time for sunset and get back to your car before night falls.
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If you are hiking alone, tell someone where you are going.
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During the winter, watch for icy patches along the trail and from mist of the waterfalls. Many times, a winter view is better since there are no leaves on the trees to hide parts of the falls. See photos of winter waterfalls.
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