The best hidden gem waterfalls in North Carolina are Mingo Falls, Big Falls, Second Falls and 7 more. Highly rated falls that few people review: 4.6 stars or better from 75 or fewer Google reviews.
See every waterfall on the North Carolina waterfalls page or the North Carolina waterfall map, or browse by town: Cherokee, Andrews, Brevard, Maggie Valley, Danbury, Banner Elk.
How we picked: We took the 21 publicly accessible North Carolina waterfalls rated 4.6 stars or higher on Google by between 5 and 75 reviewers, then ranked them by a weighted rating that gives more credit to ratings backed by more reviews.
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1. Mingo Falls
Mingo Falls near Cherokee takes the top spot, rated 4.9 out of 5 from 49 reviews.
Swain County, NC 28719 (GPS 35.5320, -83.2746)
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Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 49 Google reviews. Visitors have shared 165 photos of it on Google Maps. The nearest town is Cherokee, about 4.6 miles to the southwest. The nearest other named waterfall is Little Creek Falls, about 5.8 miles to the west.
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2. Big Falls
Big Falls, near Andrews, is next up, rated 5.0 out of 5 from 6 reviews.
Graham County, NC 28771 (GPS 35.2656, -83.9660)
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Visitors rate it 5.0 stars across 6 Google reviews. The nearest town is Andrews, about 9.1 miles to the southeast. The nearest other named waterfall is Sassafras Falls, about 0.7 miles to the south.
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3. Second Falls
Second Falls, near Brevard, is next up, rated 4.9 out of 5 from 13 reviews.
Haywood County, NC 28716 (GPS 35.3218, -82.8451)
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Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 13 Google reviews. The nearest town is Brevard, about 8.7 miles to the southeast. The nearest other named waterfall is Yellowstone Falls, about 0.3 miles to the northeast.
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4. Yellowstone Falls
Head to Yellowstone Falls near Brevard, rated 5.0 out of 5 from 5 reviews.
Haywood County, NC 28716 (GPS 35.3237, -82.8410)
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Visitors rate it 5.0 stars across 5 Google reviews. Visitors have shared 60 photos of it on Google Maps. The nearest town is Brevard, about 8.7 miles to the southeast. The nearest other named waterfall is Second Falls, about 0.3 miles to the southwest.
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5. Soco Falls
Soco Falls near Maggie Valley is worth the drive, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 65 reviews.
Jackson County, NC 28751 (GPS 35.4926, -83.1693)
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Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 65 Google reviews. Visitors have shared 193 photos of it on Google Maps. The nearest town is Maggie Valley, about 4.4 miles to the northeast. The nearest other named waterfall is Flat Creek Falls, about 3.9 miles to the north.
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6. Bird Rock Falls
Head to Bird Rock Falls near Brevard, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 44 reviews.
Transylvania County, NC 28708 (GPS 35.2215, -82.8610)
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Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 44 Google reviews. Visitors have shared 255 photos of it on Google Maps. The nearest town is Brevard, about 7.2 miles to the east. The nearest other named waterfall is Catheys Creek Falls, about 3.3 miles to the east.
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7. Window Falls
Window Falls near Danbury is another strong option, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 35 reviews. Visitors come here for climbing, easy hike, and view.
Stokes County, NC 27052 (GPS 36.4010, -80.2596)
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Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 35 Google reviews. Visitors have shared 122 photos of it on Google Maps. Reviewers mention "climbing", "easy hike", and "view". The nearest town is Danbury, about 3.0 miles to the east. The nearest other named waterfall is Hidden Falls, about 0.1 miles to the south.
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8. Upper Cascade Falls
Upper Cascade Falls near Danbury is worth the drive, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 34 reviews.
Stokes County, NC 27052 (GPS 36.3959, -80.2696)
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Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 34 Google reviews. Visitors have shared 172 photos of it on Google Maps. The nearest town is Danbury, about 3.7 miles to the east. The nearest other named waterfall is Hidden Falls, about 0.6 miles to the northeast.
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9. Catheys Creek Falls
Catheys Creek Falls near Brevard rounds out this stretch of the list, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 26 reviews.
Transylvania County, NC 28712 (GPS 35.2265, -82.8035)
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Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 26 Google reviews. Visitors have shared 60 photos of it on Google Maps. The nearest town is Brevard, about 3.9 miles to the east. The nearest other named waterfall is Bird Rock Falls, about 3.3 miles to the west.
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10. Laurel Creek Falls
Head to Laurel Creek Falls near Banner Elk, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 19 reviews.
Watauga County, NC 28679 (GPS 36.2523, -81.8526)
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Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 19 Google reviews. Visitors have shared 45 photos of it on Google Maps. The nearest town is Banner Elk, about 6.3 miles to the south. The nearest other named waterfall is Watauga Falls, about 0.1 miles to the northwest.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best hidden gem waterfall in North Carolina?
Mingo Falls tops our 2026 list. Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 49 Google reviews. It is near Cherokee in Swain County.
How many hidden gem waterfalls are in North Carolina?
21 of the 109 waterfalls we track in North Carolina qualify. This page ranks the top 10; every waterfall in the state is on the North Carolina waterfalls page.
How was this list made?
We took the 21 publicly accessible North Carolina waterfalls rated 4.6 stars or higher on Google by between 5 and 75 reviewers, then ranked them by a weighted rating that gives more credit to ratings backed by more reviews.
Which counties are they in?
The 10 on this list are in Swain County, Graham County, Haywood County, Jackson County, Transylvania County, and Stokes County and others.
More North Carolina Waterfalls by Type
- 10 Best Historic Waterfalls in North Carolina 2026
- 10 Best Waterfall Hiking Locations in North Carolina
- 10 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in North Carolina
- 5 Most Visited Waterfalls in North Carolina
- 5 Must-See Waterfalls in North Carolina
Or browse every type on the hidden gem waterfalls by state page and the waterfall types hub.