This is a list of waterfalls in North Carolina that I know about but have not visited personally. Every waterfall in this list includes as much information as I know. If you know more about a particular waterfall or know of a waterfall not on this list, please let me know using the Submit a Waterfall form. Note : Unless otherwise noted, all information on this page is taken from Waterfalls of the Blue Ridge by Nicole Blouin, Steve Boronaro, and Marilou Wier Bordonaro.
Along Blue Ridge Parkway
Mile 271.9 - Cascades, Falls Creek, E.B. Jeffress Park, 1.2 m., 50 ft high. Go counter-clockwise on trail.
Mile 296.4 - Boone Fork Falls, Boone Fork, Julian Price Park, 3.6 m. Go R fork of Boone Fork Loop. Directions : MP 296.4, park near restrooms.
Mile 305 (approx.) - Elk Falls, Elk River, Elk Falls Recreation Area, .8 m., 85 ft high. Directions : From Linville (off of mile 305 on Parkway), N on NC-191 to Newland, R on NC-194, 7 m. to Elk Park, .2 m. north of Elk Park R at campground sign , L after .3 m on Elk River Road, 3.5 m. to parking lot.
Mile 339.5 - Crabtree Falls, Crabtree Meadows, 1.8 m., 60 ft high. Crabtree Loop Trail. Directions : MP 339.5, R into Crabtree Meadows, check map at info building.
Mile 344.1 - Roaring Fork Falls, Roaring Fork, Pisgah National Forest-Toecane District, 1.0 m., 30 ft high. Directions : MP 344.1, N on NC-80, 2.3 m to L on FS-472, .1 m. to first L at Roaring Fork Falls sign.
Mile 344.1 - Setrock Creek Falls, Setrock Creek, Black Mountain Recreation Area, 1.4 m., 50 ft high. Walk gravel road .4 m to trail on right, walk up steps, turn left when trail starts steep ascent. Directions : MP 344.1, N on NC-80, 2.3 m to L on FS-472, 2.6 m to R into campground, L into Briar Bottom, park at gate.
Mile 344.1 - Marion Falls, Pleasant Gardens, possibly on Tahoma River, 3-tier cascade with pool between tier 1 & 2. Roadside but moderately steep to descend with no public access assitance. Deep gorge with lower pools between tiers 2 & 3. Wading possible in upper pool. Photogenic with little public presence. Non-captured. Directions : MP 344.1, S on NC-80 towards Pleasant Gardens/Marion, small gravel pull-off on left just after crossing a modern concrete bridge, small path going down to bridge. Submitted by : James Kepler.
Mile 361.2 - Glassmine Falls, no hike, 800 ft, only after rain or in spring in snow melt, overlook for Glassmine Falls at MP 361.2.
Mile 364.6 - Cascade Falls, Pisgah National Forest, 3.6 m., Directions : MP 364.6 at Craggy Gardens.
Mile 364.6 - Douglas Falls, Pisgah National Forest, 6.0 m., Directions : MP 364.6 at Craggy Gardens.
Mile 419 - Upper Yellowstone Falls, Graveyard Fields Overlook, Yellowstone Prong, 3.2 m., 40 ft. Go .2 m. on trail and turn left to falls.
Mile 419 - Second Falls, Graveyard Fields Overlook, Yellowstone Prong, .8 m., 60 ft. Go .2 m. on trail and turn right to falls.
Northern North Carolina
Hidden Falls, Indian Creek, Hanging Rock State Park, .8 m., 15 ft high. Indian Creek trail (easy) through picnic area, R fork to Hidden Falls. Directions : From park entrance, 1.7 m. on main road, L at Hanging Rock Trail sign into large parking lot, trail head at upper end of lot.
Lower Cascades of Cascades Creek, Hanging Rock State Park, .6 m., 120 ft high. Easy path to falls. Directions : From park entrance, leave park, L on Moore's Spring Rd, L after .3 m. to Hall Rd, .4 m. to parking area.
Tory's Den Falls, Hanging Rock State Park, .6 m., 30-plus feet high. Blue blaze trail to sign. Cave on R fork, falls on L. Directions : From park entrance, L on Moore's Spring Rd, L after .3 m. on Hall Rd., L after 2.4 m. on Mickey Rd, .4 m. to turn on Charlie Young Rd, .5 m. to parking lot.
Upper Cascades of Cascades Creek, Hanging Rock State Park, .6 m., steep, 40 ft high. Easy gravel path to falls. Directions : From park entrance, 1.7 m. on main road, L at Hanging Rock Trail sign into large parking lot, trail head at lower end of lot.
Window Falls, Indian Creek, Hanging Rock State Park, 1.2 m., 20 ft high. Indian Creek trail (easy) through picnic area, L fork to Window Falls. Directions : From park entrance, 1.7 m. on main road, L at Hanging Rock Trail sign into large parking lot, trail head at upper end of lot.
Southwestern tip of North Carolina
Bridal Veil Falls, Cullasaja Gorge, Cullasaja River, 120 ft, no hike. Directions : From Highlands, US-64 west 2 m, pass dam on left, 2.3 m on right.
Connestee Falls and Batson Creek Falls (double falls), Carson Creek, .4 m., 110 ft. Directions : US-276 S from Brevard, .6 m to Connestee Falls, large parking lot, may be closed to public
Courthouse Falls, Balsam Grove Area of Pisgah N.F., Courthouse Creek, .6 m., 50 ft. Sumney Cove Trail, L at marker to trail. Directions : US-276 S to US-64 W, 12 m. to Rosman. R on NC-215 N for 10 m. R on FS-140 for 3 m. Pull off on right after fourth bridge.
Deep Ford Falls, Lake Toxaway Country Club, Deep Ford Creek, 75 ft, 1.2 m. Directions : From Toxaway Falls, west .9 m to Lake Toxaway Country Club, right into entrance, stop at guard and indicate you are going to falls, 1.8 m to trailhead on left.
Drift Falls, Horsepasture River, 30 ft, .2 m. Turtleback Falls, Rainbow Falls and Stairway Falls also along trail. Directions : Go east from Cashiers on US-64 for .9 m, right on NC-281, 1.8 to pull-off on left, hike down hill to trail.
Dry Falls, Cullasaja Gorge, Cullasaja River, 75 ft, .3 m. Directions : From Highlands, US-64 west 2 m, pass dam on left, 3.1 m to parking area.
Frozen Creek Shoals, private land near Lake Toxaway, Frozen Creek, 30 ft, .4 m. Directions : From Toxaway Falls, US-64 E 6.1 m, R on Frozen Creek Rd for .7 m, turn left and go 3.3 m. to large house on right, park on shoulder.
Glen Falls, Glen Falls Scenic Area near Highlands, Overflow Creek, 180 ft, 2 m, several spurs along Glen Falls Trail to various cascades of falls. Directions : From Highlands, west on US-64 to left on NC-106, 1.7 m to left at sign for falls, 1 m to lot, take trail to left.
High Falls, Pisgah N.F., South Mills River, 30 ft., 4 m. difficult. 1.0 m. down trail, L on small trail before bridge, .6 m. and ford river. .4 m. past another falls to High Falls. Directions : From Pisgah Ranger Station, N on US-276 for 10 m. R on FS-1206 (Yellow Gap Road) for 3.3 m. R on FS-476 (South Mills River Rd) for 1.3 m. to end of road.
Hurricane Falls, Lake Glenville, 30-40 ft, accessible only by boat (falls into lake), Directions : From Cashiers, north on NC-107, 5 m. to marinas, rent boat, ask about falls.
Jackson Falls, Pisgah N.F., 1.0 m., 100 ft. Gravel logging road to falls. Directions : From Pisgah Ranger Station, N on US-276 for 3.5 m, L on FS-475 for 1.4 m., take FS-475A (lower road) for 2.6 m to circle, don't block gate.
Kalakaleskies Falls, Cullasaja Gorge, Cullasaja River, series of 18 cascades in .1 m. Directions : From Highlands, US-64 west 2 m, pass dam on left, cascades over next 1/4 m.
Key Falls, Key Falls Inn, .4 m., 80 ft. Directions : US-64 east out of downtown Brevard, R on Old H-Ville Highway, 2.7 m to R on Everett Road, .4 m to R on Seven Springs Road past Key Falls Inn, Parking .2 m. on L.
Little Creek Falls, Ela, Little Creek, 95 ft, 4 m. .5 m from parking to trailhead, L at fork in trail, continue to falls. Directions : From Cherokee, US-19 south to US-441, 5.8 m to Ela, right at Cooper Creek General Store, 3.4 m to private trout farm, ask permission to park.
Little Deep Ford Falls, Lake Toxaway Country Club, Little Deep Ford Creek, 100 ft, no hike. Directions : From Toxaway Falls, west .9 m to Lake Toxaway Country Club, right into entrance, stop at guard and indicate you are going to falls, 2.1 m to left on Chesnut Trace, .5 m to falls on left.
Looking Glass Falls, Pisgah N.F., 65 ft, no hike. Looking Glass Creek. Directions : From Pisgah Ranger Station, .6 m. N on US-27, parking lot on R.
Lower Cullasaja Falls, Cullasaja Gorge, Cullasaja River, 250 ft, no hike. Directions : From Highlands, US-64 west 2 m, pass dam on left, 7.8 m to pull-off.
Lower Satulah Falls, public land near Highlands, 60 ft, no hike, viewed from overlook. Directions : From Highland, south on NC-28 3.6 m to pull-off on right.
Mill Creek Falls, Lake Toxaway Country Club, Mill Creek, 85 ft, .4 m. Directions : From Toxaway Falls, west .9 m to Lake Toxaway Country Club, right into entrance, stop at guard and indicate you are going to falls, 2.1 m to left on Chesnut Trace, .8 m to left on Fairway Dr., .8 m to trailhead on left.
Mill Creek Falls, Lake Glenville, Mill Creek, 30-40 ft, accessible only by boat (falls into lake), Directions : From Cashiers, north on NC-107, 5 m. to marinas, rent boat, ask about falls.
Mill Shoals Falls, Balsam Grove Area, Pisgah N.F., double falls, Shoal Creek & N. Fork of French Broad River. 60 ft, no hike. Directions : US-276 S to US-64 W, 12 m. to Rosman. R on NC-215 N for 7.7 m. Waterfall on private land, lot on left, ask permission at Living Waters Ministries before viewing falls.
Mingo Falls and Upper Mingo Falls, Qualla Indian Reservation, Pigeon Creek, 120 ft and 25 ft, .5 and 1 m. Pigeon Creek Trail, left before Mingo Falls to get to upper falls. Directions : From Cherokee, north on US-441 to Big Cove Rd., 4 m to Mingo Falls Campground.
Moore Cove Falls, Pisgah N.F., Moore Creek, 50 ft, 1.3 m. Directions : From Pisgah Ranger Station, 5 m. N on US-276, pull over on R, over bridge for trailhead.
Norton Falls, Lake Glenville, 30-40 ft, accessible only by boat (falls into lake), Directions : From Cashiers, north on NC-107, 5 m. to marinas, rent boat, ask about falls.
Silver Run Falls, near Cashiers, Silver Run Creek, 25 ft., .4 m. Directions : From Cashiers, south on NC-107 fot 4 m, trailhead near pull-off at left.
Sliding Rock, Pisgah N.F., natural water slide, Long gradual slide. Riding allowed. Lifeguards provided. Very popular on hot summer days. Viewing platforms are provided for those who wish to stay dry. Old cut-offs are recommended for riding; the surface will wear out a normal bathing suit. Small admission fee charged to parking area. Directions : From Brevard, NC: Follow RT 280 NE for about 3 miles. Turn north on US 276 and go about 8 miles to signs for Sliding Rock parking. Submitted by Jim Schuck.
Stairway Falls, Horsepasture River, 50 ft, 2.8 m. Turtleback Falls, Rainbow Falls and Drift Falls also along trail. Directions : Go east from Cashiers on US-64 for .9 m, right on NC-281, 1.8 to pull-off on left, hike down hill to trail.
Toxaway Falls, Toxaway River, 125 feet, no hike. Directions : Along US-64 betweem Sapphire & Brevard
Turtleback Falls, Horsepasture River, 20 ft, .8 m. Stairway Falls, Rainbow Falls and Drift Falls also along trail. Directions : Go east from Cashiers on US-64 for .9 m, right on NC-281, 1.8 to pull-off on left, hike down hill to trail.
Twin Falls, Pisgah N.F., 3.8 m. easy hike, 80 and 75 ft, Avery Creek Trail (blue blaze to yellow blaze) for .9 m., Buckhorn Gap Trail (orange) for .6 m. to Twin Falls Loop Trail. Directions : From Pisgah Ranger Station, go .6 m N on US-276. R on FS-477 for 2.5 m. Trailhead at right.
Whitewater Falls, Whitewater Falls Scenic Area, Cashiers, Whitewater River, 411 ft, .4 m. Directions : From Cashiers, NC, NC-107 south for 7.2 m into S. Carolina to left on 37-413, 2.2 m to left at stop sign, turn left .2 m after going back into N. Carolina into Scenic Area.
Western North Carolina not along Blue Ridge Parkway
Catawba Falls (Upper and Lower), Catawba River, Pisgah National Forest, 3.0 m., 100 ft high. Follow roadbed, ford river, go upstream to falls. Directions : I-40 to Ex. 73. L at bottom of ramp, take first right and bear left on Catawba River Road. 3.0 m. to end, trail across bridge. No longer open to the public!
Hemlock Falls, Bob's Creek, Bob's Creek Pocket Wilderness, 3.5 m. loop. Directions : From Marion, south on US 221, .5 m past I-40, L on old US=221, 1.5 m. to L on Glenwood, .4 m to R on Huntsville Dr., 1.3 m. to L on Huntsville Tower Road, continue .6 m. and turn L, 1.3 m to parking area. No longer open to the public!
Hidden Falls, Bob's Creek, Bob's Creek Pocket Wilderness, 3.5 m. loop. Directions : From Marion, south on US 221, .5 m past I-40, L on old US-221, 1.5 m. to L on Glenwood, .4 m to R on Huntsville Dr., 1.3 m. to L on Huntsville Tower Road, continue .6 m. and turn L, 1.3 m to parking area. No longer open to the public!
High Shoals Falls, South Mountains State Park, 3.0 m., 100 ft. Go to Jacob's Fork Picnic Area past restroom to Headquarters Road, lower 70 ft can be seen on Lower Falls Trail to boardwalk, upper 30 ft Lower Falls Trail to Shinny Creek Picnic area and R at fork to road bed.
Little River Falls, South Mountains State Park, Little River, 4.0 m., 100 ft high. Directions : From main parking area, .4 m. towards entrance to parking on L.
Split Rock Falls, Bob's Creek, Bob's Creek Pocket Wilderness, 3.5 m. loop. Directions : From Marion, south on US 221, .5 m past I-40, L on old US=221, 1.5 m. to L on Glenwood, .4 m to R on Huntsville Dr., 1.3 m. to L on Huntsville Tower Road, continue .6 m. and turn L, 1.3 m to parking area. No longer open to the public!
Tom's Creek Falls, Tom's Creek, 2.0 m. loop, 100 ft high. 1.0 on grassy fire road to small trail on L, take trail to top of creek at old roadbed. Directions : Leave Marion N on US-221. 7 m. to Woodlawn, L on Huskins Branch Road, 1.2 m to R on FS-469, .2 to fire gate.
