Waterfalls in North Carolina
North Carolina is a waterfall wonderland, and as such, is in my top five favorite states. They have a great trail system here, with lots of well maintained treks awaiting your visit. All the waterfalls are in the western part of the state, with most of them being in the sprawling Pisgah National Forest and Nantahala National Forest. After a three year hiatus, I have returned to North Carolina at the very end of 2024, and got to many new waterfalls! I have split the subregions into Northern Pisgah (north of I-40), Southern Pisgah (south of I-40), and the Nantahala Forest. After the destructive Hurricane Helene plowed through North Carolina in September, 2024, many trails have been closed, or are in different condition, possibly requiring longer, or more difficult hikes.
Northern Pisgah Forest
Elk Falls
Description: Elk Falls is a big one, and is easy to get to also. A short hike and a few stairs (almost 100) is all it takes. It's in a pretty remote area, but the roads are still of good quality out here. Great swimming here in the summer. I have only been here once, and that was in December, but I plan to return here sometime in the spring or summer to get better photos.
Hiking Description: Start from the parking lot here (36.197223, -81.970035). Head out on the trail going north, which stays near the river. You will cross a tributary shortly, and after a brief few minutes of flat walking, the trail will steepen and begin the decent to the base of the falls. Note that the area immediatley above the falls is very dangerous, with a sloping bank of rock that can be slick. DO NOT go near the edge here. Once at the bottom, there are perfect views.
Total Mileage: 0.4 total
Difficulty: 3/10 (Easy)
Date First Visited: December 19, 2020
Date Last Visited: December 19, 2020
Rank: A
Southern Pisgah Forest
Avery Creek Falls
NEW!
Description: Avery Creek Falls is a wonderful small cascade that has a beautiful and fun hike to get to it. Getting to the base is a bit tricky however. As of late 2024, the last 0.85 miles of the road have been closed off due to storm damage from Hurricane Helene, and you will have to walk this part.
Hiking Description: Start at the new parking area, located here (35.305384, -82.741013). There is a gate blocking the road, and there will probably be cars parked here, so you'll know you're in the right place. The road to this point is a bit rough, but I've seen worse. Starting your walk, continue past the gate on foot, walking on the road. You will cross over Avery Creek at 0.35 miles, and shortly after the road begins ascending in elevation. By 0.85 miles, you've climbed 200 vertical feet, and you'll finally be at the start of the real trail. It is on the right, and is well marked, but here are the coordinates too (35.3148650, -82.7491421). This is the beginning of the Avery Creek Trail and the Clawhammer Cove Trail. You may have noticed that you're high above Avery Creek by now, but once on the trail, you'll start descending, all the way back to Avery Creek 0.25 from the road (1.1 from the start). At this point, you'll have to wade across Avery Creek, which is more difficult than it looks. There may have been a bridge here in the past, but there wasn't at my visit. Once across, the trail splits. The Clawhammer Cove Trail goes right, and the Avery Creek Trail goes left. Go left here, following the Avery Creek Trail. The trail is flat here, and very scenic as it follows along Avery Creek. After another 0.2 (1.3 from the start), you will reach an area where the falls is just up ahead (you may be able to see it through the trees), and a short path leads down to the creek. Take this path, which is somewhat steep, and it will end at the creek. Look to your right, and you will see Avery Creek Falls, but it is still about ~150 feet upstream. You'll have to wade up the creek from here, including climbing over a large downed tree. It's pretty rough going through here (hence the rather high 7/10 difficulty rating), but once you make it, you'll be glad you did. There's picture-perfect views, and the creek is shallow if you'd like to wade to the other side. Coordinates for falls: (35.320023, -82.753046).
Total Mileage: 2.6 total
Difficulty: 7/10 (Moderate)
Date First Visited: December 30, 2024
Date Last Visited: December 30, 2024
Rank: A
Cedar Rock Falls, Upper Cedar Rock Falls, and Grogan Creek Falls
NEW!
Description: You can get to three awesome waterfalls in this surprisingly easy hike of 3.6 total miles. Each of the three waterfalls requires a short, but steep scramble path to get to the base, but it's nothing terrible really. The hiking on the main trails is easy and mostly flat, and is scenic and rewarding. I really loved this area, and I hope you will too. There's just one more thing: there are no less than FIVE trail splits along the journey, and some of them are not well marked, and it can get confusing fast. Somehow, I made it all the way, and I got coordinates for every trail split, so I can share where they are, and which way to go, so this shouldn't be as confusing to you as it was to me. Grogan Creek Falls is found after 1.6 miles of hiking, and you pass directly by Cedar Rock Falls and Upper Cedar Rock Falls on the way. You could make it a shorter hike by just visiting one or both of those falls, but I'd recommend seeing all three.
Hiking Description: Start at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education and the Fish Hatchery parking lot. Head south on a paved road, follwing a fence. This will quickly cross Cedar Rock Creek on a large bridge, and then you will come to the first split. You are still within sight of the parking area. This split is found at (35.2833749, -82.7921128). The road continues straight, and the Cat Gap Trail goes right. Turn right, following the Cat Gap. The Cat Gap Trail is a massive loop, and you are hiking it counter-clockwise. The trail climbs up some stairs, then levels out before crossing a sturdy-looking bridge over an incredibly small brook (35.2816583, -82.7940973). You are now 0.3 miles from the start. Continue on just a bit further, and you will come out to Cedar Rock Creek at 0.35. You will have to wade across the creek here, as there is no bridge (35.2810846, -82.7951625). The trail crosses over a closed forest road right past the creek, and continues up a small hill. There is a nice marker pointing you on the Cat Gap here. Just about 200 feet past the creek crossing, you will come to a split. There is a sign that says the Butter Gap Trail goes right, with no mention of where the left trail goes. This is peculiar because most maps do not mention a trail split here. I have found that just recently in 2024, the Butter Gap Trail has been extended and it now begins here. In any case, you will want to go LEFT here, continuing on the unsigned Cat Gap Trail. Coordinates for split: (35.2812188, -82.7954327). The trail climbs steadily, and the sound of Cedar Rock Creek can be heard on the left, but it cannot be seen. By the time you reach 0.7 miles from the start, you may be able to see Cedar Rock Falls through the trees in the distance. The Cat Gap Trail turns to the right, and an obvious side path goes left. Go left here, following this path. It heads downhill, not very steeply, before leveling out. Very pretty area here, as you get closer and closer to Cedar Rock Falls. As you near the falls, there will be some downed trees you will have to cross over, and then a rock bluff will appear. Continue following this bluff to the left (you should see the falls clearly by now), through a muddy section and you will be at the falls. This unofficial path is about a tenth of a mile long, but I'm not going to be including it in the milage totals for simplicity. Coordinates for Cedar Rock Falls: (35.278342, -82.799739). Once you've enjoyed this place, backtrack to the Cat Gap Trail. Go left (away from the start). The trail climbs to get above Cedar Rock Falls, and after a short distance, you will see a very steep bootpath on the left that bottoms out in an open area. This is the way down to Upper Cedar Rock Falls. Scramble down this path, which ends at a campsite and the creek, with a perfect view of the upper falls. Coordinates for Upper Cedar Rock Falls: (35.278076, -82.799626). After you've finished here, head back up the steep path, and continue on the Cat Gap, still in the direction away from parking. Only a few hundred feet further ahead, you'll come to a major trail split. The Cat Gap Trail is marked as going left over a neat log bridge over Cedar Rock Creek, and another trail marked as the 'Pickelsimer Connector' goes straight. This trail is marked on most maps as the beginning of the Butter Gap Trail, so I was quite confused. Anyways, follow the Pickelsimer Connector. Coordinates for split: (35.2772350, -82.8004286). You are now 0.85 miles from the start. It will quickly wrap around to the right, and then you'll pass a wooden sign reading 'Butter Gap Trail -->'. After much research, I've found that this is the old route of the Butter Gap Trail, which has now been re-routed to begin earlier on at the split you past after the creek crossing. This trail is now marked as the Pickelsimer Connector, and the wooden sign indicates that this leads to the Butter Gap Trail. MOVING ON, the Pickelsimer Connector crosses through an open area called the Pickelsimer Fields, often used as a campsite. You're now 0.9 miles from the start. The trail re-enters the woods, and it gets very quiet as you distance yourself from Cedar Rock Creek. The trees here are fascinating, as they twist and turn in a mass of vines. The trail stays flat, and by 1.2 miles, you'll reach an unsigned split: (35.2797361, -82.8057954). This is the Butter Gap Trail, and you'll want to go left here (the new section goes right, and ends near the creek crossing near the beginning). Continue on the flat trail until 1.4 miles, where there is yet another trail split: (35.2769567, -82.8076994). This one is somewhat well marked. The Long Branch Trail goes right, and the Butter Gap Trail keeps straight. Stay on the Butter Gap, as it starts to get noisy again with the sound of falling water. At 1.8 miles, you will see Grogan Creek Falls just off the trail to your left. There is a steep path that leads to the bottom. Coordinates for Grogan Creek Falls: (35.271989, -82.808601). I'm aware that all of this is quite confusing, so I will include a concise list of landmarks below, as well as a map from Pisgah Area Sorba, who has one of the few updated maps. Here's the website if you'd like to see it up close: pisgahareasorba.org/news/1ecgpng3w4bhmp4dyqfyfxsvpfc838
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0.00 miles: trail begins at Fish Hatchery
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0.05: junction of FR# 475C and Cat Gap Trail; go right on the Cat Gap Trail
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0.30: footbridge over brook
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0.35: wet water crossing over Cedar Rock Creek (no bridge)
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0.36: cross closed forest road
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0.38: junction of Cat Gap Trail and new Butter Gap Trail; go left continuing on the (unsigned) Cat Gap Trail
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0.70: side path on left leads down to Cedar Rock Falls, Cat Gap Trail continues right
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0.80: side path on left leads down to Upper Cedar Rock Falls, Cat Gap Trail continues straight
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0.85: junction of Cat Gap Trail and Pickelsimer Connector; go straight/right on the Pickelsimer Connector
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0.90: cross through Pickelsimer Fields
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1.20: Pickelsimer Connector ends at "T" intersection with the Butter Gap Trail; go left on the (unsigned) Butter Gap Trail
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1.40: junction of Butter Gap Trail and (unsigned) Long Branch Trail; continue straight on the Butter Gap Trail
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1.80: arrive to Grogan Creek Falls on the left
Total Mileage: 1.4 total to Cedar Rock Falls, 1.6 total to Upper Cedar Rock Falls, and 3.6 total to all three, ending at Grogan Creek Falls
Difficulty: 3/10 (Easy) + Moderate scrambles for best views
Date First Visited: December 31, 2024
Date Last Visited: December 31, 2024
Rank: A++
Cedar Rock Falls
Upper Cedar Rock Falls
Grogan Creek Falls
Looking Glass Falls
Description: Looking Glass Falls is a popular waterfall, and for good reason. It's close to Asheville, is roadside along US 276, and is beautiful. I would reccomend visiting in the early morning to avoid the crowds. It stays real shady here too, so great photos abound. I've recently revisited in higher water, and wow! This waterfall is awesome in all conditions, so plan a visit.
Hiking Description: Roadside access, but a short trail of about 50 stairs leads down to the base. With a bit more effort, you can wade out into the creek for more views. It's a lot of fun too, I must admit. The right photo was taken in the middle of the creek, and the left photo is from the overlook (after rains).
Total Mileage: <0.1 total
Difficulty: 2/10 (Easy)
Date First Visited: December 20, 2020
Date Last Visited: December 31, 2024
Rank: A+
Moore Cove
NEW!
Description: Moore Cove is a deep amphitheatre that has a low-flow waterfall falling off of it. The area behind the falls is expansive, especially given the low volume. It is just a mile up the road from Looking Glass Falls, and just as popular, which says a lot about people's priorities. If it's on the highway, people are much more likely to go there, even if some place a mile off the road is much better (cough cough...Grogan Creek Falls). When I visited, I had to wait 40 minutes to get a photo without anyone exploring the cove, so come early.
Hiking Description: Start at the roadside parking area here (35.305350, -82.774574). The trail begins at the south end of the parking area, immediately crossing Looking Glass Creek on a long wooden bridge. From here, it rises above the creek via a fair amount of stairs. Near 0.15 miles, the trail passes between some massive boulders, before curving to the left and away from Looking Glass Creek. You may notice a stream far below you. This is the small stream that the falls resides on. You'll near the creek, and at 0.35 miles, you'll cross the first of three bridges over the small stream. They come in pretty close succession, and by the time you've crossed the third small bridge, you're nearly there. You'll find the falls at 0.6 miles.
Total Mileage: 1.2 total
Difficulty: 3/10 (Easy)
Date First Visited: December 31, 2024
Date Last Visited: December 31, 2024
Rank: A-
Slick Rock Falls and Little Fern Falls
NEW!
Description: These two waterfalls can both be found along the side of FR #475B. Unfortunately, the road has been closed down, so you'll have to do some easy road walking if you'd like to see them. Slick Rock Falls has a nice short trail leading up to its base, while Little Fern Falls requires a steep scramble from the roadside.
Hiking Description: Park here (35.285764, -82.794813) near the gate blocking the road. Hike up the road for exactly 1 mile, and you'll see Slick Rock Falls on the right. You can't miss it. A signed trail leads up a few stairs to the base of the falls for the best views. Coordinates for Slick Rock Falls: (35.293152, -82.797444). If you continue up the road 0.35 more miles, you'll come to Little Fern Falls down on the left. You should be able to see and hear it, but you'll notice the hill is very steep. Go a but further, until you've nearly passed it, and you'll see a steep and slippery trail headed down to the base. At the time of my visit, it was marked with some caution tape wrapped around a tree. Once at the base, there is a nice open area, and the falls will be before you.
Total Mileage: 2.0 total to Slick Rock Falls and 2.7 total to both falls
Difficulty: 3/10 (Easy) + steep scramble to Little Fern Falls
Date First Visited: December 31, 2024
Date Last Visited: December 31, 2024
Rank: A
Slick Rock Falls
Little Fern Falls
French Broad Falls, Cathedral Falls, and Bird Rock Falls
NEW!
Description: You can see three great waterfalls in under half a mile of hiking in the small town of Balsam Grove. The land is privately owned by the Living Waters Church, but is open to the public at your own risk. French Broad Falls and Cathedral Falls are twin waterfalls right next to each other that make for a striking photo. They're also right next to the road. Bird Rock Falls is found down a short, but scenic and immersive trail through the French Broad Gorge. Highly recommended. And for those keeping score: I know this is out of alphabetical order, but I decided to put this entry last in the 'Southern Pisgah' section because it's the only one not in the Brevard area.
Hiking Description: Park on the west side of NC 215 here (35.224023, -82.860887). You can see French Broad Falls from the road, and a short path leads to the sandy area at the riverside. Cathedral Falls comes in from the right on a tributary, and it's quite a sight to see. To get to Bird Rock Falls, head back towards the parking area, then head right on a flat trail following the French Broad River downstream. After no time at all, the geography changes, as you enter a rugged and wild gorge. The trail has been fantastically built though, so the trail remains easy, complete with boardwalks, wooden stairs, and handrails. You'll pass by some large cascades and a small cave, before reaching the falls after just 0.2 miles. The trail drops you out at a large sloping rock that leads to the river, so be careful not to slip. The falls is named for the massive bluff rising into the air on the opposite side of the river. It really is a wild and beautiful area. Coordinates for Bird Rock Falls: (35.221239, -82.861348).
Total Mileage: 0.4 total to see all three falls
Difficulty: 3/10 (Easy)
Date First Visited: December 31, 2024
Date Last Visited: December 31, 2024
Rank: A+
French Broad Falls (left) and Cathedral Falls (right)
Bird Rock Falls
Nantahala National Forest
Bridal Veil Falls
Description: Bridal Veil Falls will surprise you if you're not looking for it. It is easily seen right from US 64, and you can walk behind it. Back in the day, you could drive behind it, but no more. Anyone can visit this falls. It's so close to the road, that to get a good frontal look at the falls, you have to cross to the other side of the road (not too dangerous becuase traffic moves slow through here). You can see the road in the picture I provided. This is very close to Dry Falls, which is a major attraction, so make sure to go there too. It takes a lot of rain to make it look this good, so keep that in mind also.
Hiking Description: Roadside access.
Total Mileage: N/A
Difficulty: 0/10 (Roadside)
Date First Visited: October 11, 2020
Date Last Visited: October 11, 2020
Rank: A
Cullasaja Falls
Description: If you plan to go beyond the roadside, bring a rope. Better yet, just don't. This is the most difficult "hike" I've ever done, and I nearly died doing it. The bootpath that leads to the base of the falls starts off good enough, but eventually I realized I was essentially hiking in a landslide. I had to pull myself back out of there, as it was too steep to walk (hence the rope). This is a dangerous and unstable area, and it may not even be like this anymore. I won't ever be back to reasess, so who knows. My main point is that this is a VERY DANGEROUS AREA and you could easily die here. Don't take your abilities for granted. My hiking description will be intentionally vague.
Hiking Description: You can see it through the trees from US 64. A bootpath starts down the hillside. Once you get about halfway down, the trail fades, and going any further (like I did) is foolish.
Total Mileage: 0.2 total
Difficulty: 10/10+ (Extreme) + Dangerous and Not Recomended
Date First Visited: December 20, 2020
Date Last Visited: December 20, 2020
Rank: Unranked
D.E.W. Falls
Description: This may be a small falls, but I loved this place. It really is everything I love about a waterfall in one place. It has good year-round flow, so plan a visit. It is off the beaten path, and far from obvious, but that adds to the appeal. When you're hiking to it, it will feel like you're in a very remote area, but the hiking is still easy, and it's short too. Enjoy this wonderful place. John's Jump Falls is a nice waterfall that is right across the street, but recent storm damage prevented me from visiting there (but YOU may be able to now!)
Hiking Description: Park here (35.066971, -83.007468). This is not a parking lot, but rather a large, open field of grass on the side of the highway. Once parked, start walking and cross the highway so you'll be on the west side of the road. Begin walking north for just a few hundred feet along the highway until you see a gated road on the left. This looks like a private drive, but it's not. Head around the gate and follow this trail. The sounds of traffic will quickly fade, and you will begin to feel as if you're in a very remote area. After about .2 miles, you should begin hearing the falls off to your left. A bootpath will lead down to the falls (easy), and with some effort, you can work your away around to more views of the falls (will likely require wading, but this is a great place for it. If you go to the pool below the falls, you can stand in a sandy, beachy area that is heavily shaded. And the cherry on top is that there probably won't be anyone else here. Have fun!
Total Mileage: 0.4 total
Difficulty: 3/10 (Easy)
Date First Visited: August 19, 2021
Date Last Visited: August 19, 2021
Rank: A+
Dry Falls
#6
Description: Dry Falls is one of the best waterfalls of the East. Easy access provides no reason not to visit. You can walk behind the falls, and the view from behind it is one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. I call it "The Wall of White". I've been here three times, and my visit in October, 2020, was during flooding, and paired with the fall foliage, was incredible.
Hiking Description: Start at the well signed parking lot for Dry Falls. Head out on the boardwalk, and you will quickly come to an overlook. The falls is very obscured from here, so continue down the boardwalk. There are some stairs, but not too many, and it's not far to the falls. Once the falls come into view, I was taking photos every few paces. It's so nice down there-plan to spend some time. The trail wraps around and will go behind the falls and OH MY prepare yourself for the scene back there. It's very loud, it's windy, it's damp, and it's the view of a lifetime. The trail goes a bit further on the other side of the river for more great views, and then dead-ends. Return the way you came, once again enjoying The Wall of White.
Total Mileage: 0.4 total
Difficulty: 3/10 (Easy)
Date First Visited: October 11, 2020
Date Last Visited: August 19, 2021
Rank: A++
Silver Run Falls
Description: Silver Run Falls is a beautiful waterfall just a five minute walk from the highway. Easy access, and great wading oppurtunities (which I took full advantage of). The photo shown was taken in knee-deep water!
Hiking Description: Start at the small parking lot off of NC 107 here (35.066983, -83.067048). Head out on the trail headed east. You will quickly come to a footbridge. This is not the stream the falls are on, but rather this is the Whitewater River. This river holds many fantastic falls on it (see next entry), but it is pretty tame here. Continue on the easy trail, and within five minutes you will come to the falls. It is kind of obscured here, and the best views are found if you wade out into the creek. It's kind of deep in spots, but the water was very refreshing on this August day. Lots of sandy areas here, so just plan to get wet, and enjoy.
Total Mileage: 0.25 total
Difficulty: 2/10+ (Easy; harder if wading)
Date First Visited: August 19, 2021
Date Last Visited: August 19, 2021
Rank: A+
Whitewater Falls
Description: Whitewater Falls is the tallest waterfall I've ever been to, at 411 feet. Now if that's not enough to make you plan a visit, perhaps the easy access and the photo below will. Nothing else needs to be said.
Hiking Description: Start at the large Whitewater Falls parking lot, very close to the South Carolina border. Head out on the trail walking north. The trail is paved, and is flat and easy walking until you get to the falls viewing area after .25 miles. Start down the staircase for the best overlook. Once the stairs end, there will be a sign stating that there are no more overlooks, so don't go any farther if you only want to see the falls. There are about 100 stairs here, but it's not too bad.
Total Mileage: 0.6 total
Difficulty: 3/10 (Easy)
Date First Visited: August 19, 2021
Date Last Visited: August 19, 2021
Rank: A+
Yellow Creek Falls
Description: Yellow Creek Falls is a scenic waterfall in the middle of nowhere. The hike is short, but it is pretty rocky, so be aware of that.
Hiking Description: This is a very straightforward hike. Start at the small parking area here (35.419454, -83.889376). Head out on the trail, which starts off easy, and gets rockier as you go. As you approach the falls, the trail steepens to get down to the creek, so be careful here. Overall the hike is solidly moderate, but it's short enough that it isn't too tiring.
Total Mileage: 0.6 total
Difficulty: 5/10 (Moderate)
Date First Visited: August 1, 2021
Date Last Visited: August 1, 2021
Rank: A
