Explore beautiful waterfalls in North Carolina. The mountains of North Carolina are home to the most stunning waterfalls. And not just waterfalls but these mountains are great for adventurous hiking and road trip destinations, and also they are great for weekend leisure, picnic,s and romantic getaways.
The purpose of visiting these waterfalls in North Carolina can be anything, and North Carolina assures to fulfill those purposes up to the mark.
10 Top Best Waterfalls in North Carolina 2024
1. Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Forest is located in DuPont State Recreational Forest. Bridal Veil FAlls is somewhat surrounded by Hooker, Triple, and High Falls. But it’s still absolutely worth visiting here. The trail is a bit longer, but easy nonetheless. A lot of people refer to it as a “horizontal waterfall” because it is not much higher, but longer horizontally along with land. Also, the shooting of Hunger Games Movies happened here!
The waterfall will direct you to the base of the water, but still, you can walk to the top ( but be careful of the wet and slippery rocks) to get fabulous views from above. The hike isn’t anything dazzling itself, but passing by Fawn Lake along the way makes it worthwhile!
Length: 4.6mi out & back
Difficulty: Easy
2. Looking Glass Falls
There is nothing better than a good roadside waterfall which means you will get all the perks without much work. Looking Glass Falls will roughly take 45 mins to reach and is super easy to access and enjoy.
This 60 ft waterfall in North Carolina is super powerful to get splashed if you undergo a lower outlook! Swimming is also permitted in these waterfalls in North Carolina, so grab the opportunity to enjoy the area beneath the falls! It’s not undoubtedly the best waterfall in North Carolina.
Length: 0.3mi out & back
Difficulty: Easy
3. Linville Falls
Located in the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, Linville Falls is popularly known as the “Grand Canyon of the Southern Appalachians”. These waterfalls in North Carolina can easily be accessed from the Blue Ridge Parkway and ranks as the most popular waterfalls in North Carolina. It is the most impressive waterfall in North Carolina.
Keep in mind that you cannot swim in this waterfall or Linville River. Also Linville Falls is considered to be one of the most difficult hikes to be prepared for.
Length: 1.7mi out and back ( the Plunge Basin Trail)
Difficulty: Moderate
4. Triple Falls
Triple Falls is an ideal presentation of natural beauty and another popular waterfall in North Carolina. This waterfall presents three cascades, hence named “Triple Falls”. You can access all three cascades from Triple Falls where there is a clearing in the trees. You can also go down to the base of the middle cascade to view the upper two sections, which is highly suggested. Basically gives fun and experience of three falls in one, which means more joy in less work.
Length: 2.9mi loop
Difficulty: Moderate
5. High Falls
High Falls can be seen from above (another clearing in the trees just like Triple Falls), or you can just hike down to the base to take a view of the whole waterfall, or preferably take a view from both and have double fun.
You will see that there is no shortage of things to do/see in the DuPont! That’s why it’s popular for a day trip to Western North Carolina. Just make sure to visit the place early, so that you don’t have to face much crowd and have your enjoyment to the fullest.
Length: 1.2mi out & back
Difficulty: Moderate
6. Elk River Falls
Elk River Falls is a charming 50 ft waterfall situated on the TN/NC border ( an hour west of Boone). This place is great for kids and families to visit in one of the best waterfalls in North Carolina, as there are beach-like areas where kids can play with sand and pools. However, be careful as the stairs along this trail don’t have a railing. If you get a chance then, must visit Roan Mountain State Park in TN while you are over that way!
Length: 0.3mi out & back
Difficulty: Easy
7. Grassy Creek Falls
Grassy Creek Falls is based in Little Switzerland. You would surely be surprised by Grassy Creek Falls. The waterfall overshadows its neighbor, Crabtree Falls, but this waterfall is literally worth visiting. Cascading waterfalls are usually the favorite of most people, so you may also enjoy this too. You can have a close-up, but there is not any fair spot for swimming.
Length: 2.8mi out & back
Difficulty: Easy
8. Toms Creek Falls
This is a beautiful 80 ft waterfall in North Carolina. Tom Creek Falls tends to be pretty heavily trafficked, so it’s better to visit earlier if you want a more peaceful experience. You will see tons of rocks once you reach the waterfall. The area below the waterfall isn’t deep, but still enough to dip your foot, and also it’s good for kids!
If you are someone with an adventurous vibe then, you can also visit the top of this waterfall to have enjoyment from a different perspective.
Length: 0.7mi out & back
Difficulty: Easy
9. Crabtree Falls
If you have to pick a visitor’s all-time-favorite waterfalls in North Carolina, the Crabtree Falls is deep in the beautiful forest and you can go directly up to the base of the 70ft cascade. You will get a chance to watch Crabtree Falls Campground while on the way to this waterfall in North Carolina. The water base isn’t so deep that you can swim, but still, you can dip your toes and walk around or sit and enjoy the treasure of these beautiful waterfalls in North Carolina.
Length: 2.6mi loop
Difficulty: Moderate
10. Cullasaja Falls
Cullasaja Falls is a beautiful 250 ft waterfall located in the Nantahala National Forest. If you want a more challenging and technical waterfall hike, then this one’s for you. One of all waterfalls in North Carolina, this trail is considered to be the sketchiest irrespective of the fact that it is only 0.2 miles trail. It’s not as difficult as it is technical.
Length: 0.2mi out & back
Difficulty: Hard
