10 Best Waterfall Hiking Locations in North Carolina (2026 Updated)
These 10 North Carolina waterfalls are reached on foot and rated highly by the people who hiked them, led by Dry Falls, Rainbow Falls, and Hooker Falls. The list spans the Nantahala Mountains and Cullasaja Gorge, Blue Ridge Escarpment and the Land of Waterfalls, and High Country and Black Mountains.
How We Picked
We started with the 16 publicly accessible North Carolina waterfalls whose reviews or listing mention hiking, trails or walks, then ranked them by a weighted Google rating. Difficulty notes quote what reviewers say; always check current trail conditions with the land manager. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Dry Falls
Franklin, NC · Macon County · Nantahala Mountains and Cullasaja Gorge
Why hike it
On the trail: "Picturesque cascade with a path under the rocks that offers a unique, reverse view of the waterfall." It is rated 4.9 stars by 1,145 Google reviewers. 6 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Bridal Veil Falls and Quarry Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. Big Dog Mountain, a summit 0.6 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 41 named falls in the Nantahala Mountains and Cullasaja Gorge region. The nearest town is Franklin, about 11 miles to the northwest.
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2. Rainbow Falls
Brevard, NC · Transylvania County · Blue Ridge Escarpment and the Land of Waterfalls
Why hike it
On the trail: "Hiking destination offering a trail along a stream leading to a waterfall with misty overlooks." It is rated 4.9 stars by 207 Google reviewers. 5 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Windy Falls and Toxaway Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. Roundtop, a summit 0.9 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 34 named falls in the Blue Ridge Escarpment and the Land of Waterfalls region. The nearest town is Brevard, about 16 miles to the northeast.
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3. Hooker Falls
Brevard, NC · Transylvania County · Blue Ridge Escarpment and the Land of Waterfalls
Pictured: nearby Triple Falls (0.4 mi) Why hike it
On the trail: "One of 4 waterfalls on 3 miles of river in state forest accessed by a trail." It is rated 4.8 stars by 313 Google reviewers. 7 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Triple Falls and High Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. Sheep Mountain, a summit 0.8 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 34 named falls in the Blue Ridge Escarpment and the Land of Waterfalls region. The nearest town is Brevard, about 6.6 miles to the west.
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4. Linville Falls
Spruce Pine, NC · Burke County · High Country and Black Mountains
Pictured: nearby Falls of Gouges Creek (7.0 mi) Why hike it
On the trail: "Picturesque waterfalls, a visitor center & well-maintained hiking trails in serene surrounds." It is rated 4.8 stars by 269 Google reviewers. Long Arm Mountain, a summit 1.7 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 19 named falls in the High Country and Black Mountains region. The nearest town is Spruce Pine, about 8.1 miles to the west.
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5. Lower Cascade Falls
Danbury, NC · Stokes County · Foothills, Piedmont Ridges and Fall Line
Why hike it
On the trail: "A short walk down many rock steps leads to this scenic waterfall in Hanging Rock State Park." Reviews are mixed on difficulty, mentioning both "easy hike" and "steep stairs". It is rated 4.8 stars by 194 Google reviewers. 4 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Window Falls and Hidden Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. Moores Knob, a summit 1.4 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 15 named falls in the Foothills, Piedmont Ridges and Fall Line region. The nearest town is Danbury, about 3.5 miles to the east.
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6. Upper Falls
Brevard, NC · Jackson County · Nantahala Mountains and Cullasaja Gorge
Why hike it
On the trail: "Upper section of a cascading 811-ft. waterfall with a white appearance & a 1.6-mi. hiking trail." It is rated 4.8 stars by 81 Google reviewers. 4 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Corbin Creek Falls and Lower Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. Grassy Knob, a summit 0.7 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 41 named falls in the Nantahala Mountains and Cullasaja Gorge region. The nearest town is Brevard, about 21 miles to the northeast.
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7. Window Falls
Danbury, NC · Stokes County · Foothills, Piedmont Ridges and Fall Line
Why hike it
Reviews are mixed on difficulty, mentioning both "easy hike" and "climbing". It is rated 4.8 stars by 35 Google reviewers. 4 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Hidden Falls and Upper Cascade Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. Cole Gap Mountain, a summit 1.1 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 15 named falls in the Foothills, Piedmont Ridges and Fall Line region. The nearest town is Danbury, about 3.0 miles to the east.
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8. Cullasaja Falls
Franklin, NC · Macon County · Nantahala Mountains and Cullasaja Gorge
Why hike it
On the trail: "National forest waterfall cascading through a gorge from 250 ft., with a roadside viewpoint & trail." It is rated 4.7 stars by 170 Google reviewers. 3 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Quarry Falls and Dry Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. Lamb Mountain, a summit 0.3 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 41 named falls in the Nantahala Mountains and Cullasaja Gorge region. The nearest town is Franklin, about 7.8 miles to the northwest.
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9. Mouse Creek Falls
Cove Creek, NC · Haywood County · Nantahala Mountains and Cullasaja Gorge
Why hike it
On the trail: "Tiered cascades & a swimming hole reached by a trail that follows an old railway line." It is rated 4.7 stars by 104 Google reviewers. It is one of 41 named falls in the Nantahala Mountains and Cullasaja Gorge region. The nearest town is Cove Creek, about 11 miles to the southeast.
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10. Bridal Veil Falls
Brevard, NC · Transylvania County · Blue Ridge Escarpment and the Land of Waterfalls
Pictured: nearby Triple Falls (1.5 mi) Why hike it
On the trail: "Short hiking trail to a wide cascade over a plane of granite, used as a backdrop for several films." It is rated 4.6 stars by 41 Google reviewers. 7 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (High Falls and Triple Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. Cedar Rock, a summit 0.8 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 34 named falls in the Blue Ridge Escarpment and the Land of Waterfalls region. The nearest town is Brevard, about 7.5 miles to the northwest.
When to Visit North Carolina's Waterfalls
North Carolina's mountain falls run year-round in most years, but they are fullest from late winter through spring, roughly February through May, when rain is frequent and trees have not yet leafed out to draw down soil moisture. April and May add wildflowers and fresh green to the gorges. Summer is warm and humid, with afternoon thunderstorms that raise streams quickly, and popular swimming spots such as Sliding Rock draw large crowds. Fall color climbs down from the highest elevations in early October to the lower escarpment by late October, making it the busiest season of the year, even though flows are often lower after dry spells. Winter brings quieter trails and occasional ice at higher elevations, when sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway may close for snow and ice.
Before You Go
Most mountain falls are on public land: Pisgah and Nantahala national forests, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, state parks such as Gorges and Hanging Rock, and DuPont State Recreational Forest. A few are on private or nonprofit land with their own hours. Parking at roadside falls along US 64 in the Cullasaja Gorge and at popular trailheads fills early on weekends. Hurricane Helene in 2024 caused severe flooding and landslides across western North Carolina, so check the current status of roads, trails and recreation areas before visiting. The most serious hazard is climbing on or near the top of falls: wet granite and moss are extremely slippery, and falls from waterfall edges have caused many deaths in the region. Streams also rise quickly after heavy rain.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out. Hiking with children? Read waterfall hikes with kids.
Explore More North Carolina Waterfalls
See all 109 waterfalls in the North Carolina waterfall guide, or browse by town: Franklin, Brevard, Spruce Pine, Danbury, Cove Creek.
More North Carolina Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best hiking waterfall in North Carolina?
Dry Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.9-star rating from 1,145 Google reviews. It is near Franklin in Macon County.
How was this list made?
We started with the 16 publicly accessible North Carolina waterfalls whose reviews or listing mention hiking, trails or walks, then ranked them by a weighted Google rating. Difficulty notes quote what reviewers say; always check current trail conditions with the land manager.
How many waterfalls are in North Carolina?
Our directory lists 109 named waterfalls in North Carolina. See them all, sorted by town, in the North Carolina waterfall guide.
Why is Transylvania County called the Land of Waterfalls?
It sits on the Blue Ridge Escarpment, where rivers drop steeply off the mountains, and it receives very high rainfall. Our directory lists 24 named falls there, more than any other county in North Carolina.