Waterfalls in North Carolina

Where the waterfalls are in North Carolina

Western North Carolina is waterfall country. The Blue Ridge escarpment, where the mountains drop toward the Piedmont, forces streams over steep, hard rock, and heavy rainfall keeps them flowing. Transylvania County, near Brevard, calls itself the Land of Waterfalls, and the Nantahala and Pisgah national forests hold many more.

Falls here range from roadside drops you can see from the car to backcountry cascades at the end of steep trails. Several of the most famous have caused serious accidents, so stay on the trail and off the rock near the top.

Well-known waterfalls in North Carolina

Whitewater Falls

Upper Whitewater Falls drops about 411 feet near the South Carolina line and is often called the highest waterfall east of the Rockies. A paved path leads to an overlook. Falls near Whitewater Falls.

Looking Glass Falls

A 60-foot fall right beside US 276 in Pisgah National Forest, with steps down to the base. Falls near Looking Glass Falls.

Linville Falls

A fall that plunges into Linville Gorge, with trails to several overlooks from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Falls near Linville Falls.

Dry Falls

A fall near Highlands with a trail that passes behind the water, so you stay mostly dry. Falls near Dry Falls.

Hickory Nut Falls

A tall, thin fall in Chimney Rock State Park, about 404 feet. Falls near Hickory Nut Falls.

Triple Falls

Three tiers on the Little River in DuPont State Recreational Forest, a short walk from High Falls and Hooker Falls. Falls near Triple Falls.

Rainbow Falls

A 150-foot fall on the Horsepasture River in Gorges State Park, named for the rainbows in its spray. Falls near Rainbow Falls.

When to go

Rain comes all year, so there is no bad month, but winter and spring give the strongest flow. Fall colour peaks in October, often with lower water. See the best time to see waterfalls for how flow changes by region.

North Carolina by the numbers

The map shows 841 named falls in North Carolina. 105 of them are in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, the federal register of official place names, and 736 more are named falls mapped only in OpenStreetMap. 64 have a height recorded by OpenStreetMap mappers, which is what the height filter above uses. TransylvaniaCounty has the most, with 21.

Tallest recorded waterfalls in North Carolina

Heights as recorded in OpenStreetMap, converted to feet. Guidebooks may list different figures, usually because they count every tier of a fall or only the biggest drop. Why heights differ.

Counties with the most waterfalls

From the USGS record, which gives each fall's county.

Every named waterfall in North Carolina

Alphabetical within each county. Tap a name to centre the map above on it.

Ashe County (1)

Long Hope Falls

Avery County (1)

Big Falls

Buncombe County (3)

Douglas Falk, Reems Creek Falls, Walker Falls

Burke County (1)

Linville Falls

Caldwell County (1)

Silvervale Falls

Cherokee County (1)

Kennedy Falls

Clay County (1)

Leatherwood Falls

Edgecombe County (1)

Little Falls

Graham County (6)

Bemis Camp Falls, Big Falls, Lower Falls, Middle Falls, Sassafras Falls, Upper Falls

Harnett County (1)

Lanier Falls

Haywood County (4)

Mouse Creek Falls, Second Falls (66 ft), Upper Falls (49 ft), Yellowstone Falls (98 ft)

Henderson County (6)

Bead and Lace Falls, Camp Minnehaha Falls, Rock Creek Falls, The Cascades, Toms Falls, Turley Falls

Jackson County (16)

Betsy Falls, Dill Falls, Fairfield Falls, High Falls (98 ft), Lower Vernal Falls, Maidenhair Falls, Onion Cliff Falls, Onion Falls, Schoolhouse Falls, Slatten Falls, Soco Falls, Thurston Hatcher Falls, Twin Falls, Upper Falls, Upper Vernal Falls, Woodfin Falls

Macon County (9)

Berties Falls, Bridal Veil Falls (60 ft), Burningtown Falls, Cullasaja Falls, Dry Falls, Glen Falls, Highlands Falls, Queens Falls, Satulah Falls

Mitchell County (5)

Crabtree Falls, Crystal Falls, Falls of Gouges Creek, Grassy Creek Falls, Murphy Falls

Nash County (2)

Little Falls, Upper Falls

Polk County (2)

Bradley Falls, Pearsons Falls

Rutherford County (2)

Hickorynut Falls, Rainbow Falls

Stanly County (1)

Great Falls

Stokes County (5)

Hidden Falls, Lower Cascade Falls, Tory Falls, Upper Cascade Falls, Window Falls

Swain County (3)

Flat Creek Falls, Little Creek Falls, Mingo Falls (120 ft)

Transylvania County (21)

Bird Rock Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Catheys Creek Falls, Connestee Falls, Courthouse Falls (33 ft), Dismal Falls (131 ft), Glencannon Falls, High Falls, High Falls, Hooker Falls, Laughing Falls, Looking Glass Falls (59 ft), Maidenhair Falls, Rainbow Falls (128 ft), Shady Falls, Shoal Creek Falls, Slick Rock Falls, Toxaway Falls (246 ft), Triple Falls, Whitewater Falls, Windy Falls (197 ft)

Watauga County (3)

Dutch Creek Falls, Laurel Creek Falls, Watauga Falls

Wilkes County (5)

Betseys Rock Falls, Carter Falls, Cascade Falls, Little Falls, Moravian Falls

Yancey County (4)

Blue Sea Falls, Mitchell Falls (33 ft), Roaring Spout Falls, Upper Falls

County not recorded (736)

10,000 Trillium Falls, 4x4 Falls, 501 Falls, 55MPH Falls, Adako Falls, Aggrandizement Falls, Aiken Branch Falls, Alarka Falls, Alyssa Falls, Amadehy Falls, Anaconda Falls, Andrews Creek Falls, Anvil Horn Falls, Arrowhead Falls, Auger Hole Falls, Aunt Sallys Falls (33 ft), Avery Creek Falls, Avery Falls, Bald Springs Falls, Balsam Falls, Bambi Falls, Banded Rock Falls, Barbara Falls, Bard Falls, Barn Ridge Creek Falls, Barnett Branch Trail Falls, Bartram Falls, Batsaw Branch Falls, Batson Creek Falls, Bear Canyon Falls, Bear Creek Falls, Bear Creek Falls, Bear Creek Falls (Cheoah), Bear Den Falls, Bearcamp Creek Falls, Bearpen Falls, Bearwallow Falls, Beautimos Falls, Bedrock Falls, Bee Branch Falls, Beetree Fork Falls (33 ft), Bell Park Falls, Bennett Cove Falls, Bent Field Falls, Bernie's Falls, Berry Branch Falls, Bestos Falls, Betsy's Rock Falls, Beverly Hillbilly Falls, Big Bear Falls, Big Bearpen Falls, Big Beartrap Falls, Big Bearwallow Falls, Big Boy Falls, Big Bradley Falls (75 ft), Big Branch Falls, Big Creek Falls, Big Fall Creek Falls, Big Falls (197 ft), Big Falls of Beechflat Creek, Big Hole Falls, Big Laurel Falls, Big Ledge Falls, Big Pisgah Falls, Big Rock Falls, Billy Branch Falls, Bird Falls, Black Mountain Falls, Blue Boar Falls, Blue Hole Falls, Blue Valley Falls, Bluet Falls, Bluff Falls, Bluff Mountain Falls, Boat Buster, Bon Ami Falls, Bonas Defeat Falls, Boomer Inn Falls, Boren Mill Shoals, Bottomless Pools, Boulderfield Falls (164 ft), Boushell Falls, Boxcar Falls, Bradley Cooper Falls, Bradley Creek Falls, Breakbone Falls, Briefcase Falls, Broad River Falls, Brooks Creek Falls, Bruce Knob Falls, Brushy Ridge Falls, Bubbling Spring Branch Cascades, Buck Creek Falls, Buck Creek Falls, Buck Creek Falls, Buckeye Creek Falls, Buckeye Falls (66 ft), Buckshot Falls, Bull Cove Falls, Bullhead Creek Cascades, Bullhead Creek Falls, Bullpen Cove Falls, Burgan Creek Falls, Burnthouse Branch Falls, Buttermilk Falls, Camp Branch Falls, Camp Branch Falls, Camp Celo Falls, Campbell Creek Falls, Cane Creek Falls, Caney Bottom Falls, Cannon Creek Falls, Carlton Falls, Carvers Falls, Cascades Falls, Case Falls, Cashiers Sliding Rock, Catamount Falls, Catawba Falls, Cathedral Falls, Cathey Gap Falls, Cathey's Creek Falls, Catstairs Falls, Cavern Falls, Cavern Falls, Cedar Falls (5 ft), Cedar Rock Falls, Cedar Rock Falls, Charley Bridge Falls, Charley Creek Falls, Charlie Falls, Chasm Falls, Chasteen Creek Cascade, Chastine Creek Falls, Cherry Cove Falls, Chestnut Cove Branch Falls, Chestnut Falls, China Creek Falls, Christmas Falls, Chub Line Falls, Chute Falls, Clawhammer Falls, Claypole Branch Falls, Clear Creek Falls, Cleft Falls, Cliff Branch Falls, Cody Falls, Confluence Falls, Coolidge Falls, Corbin Creek Falls, Corkscrew Falls, Cove Creek Falls, Cover Falls, Coyote Falls, Crab Orchard Falls, Crabtree Falls (66 ft), Cradle Falls, Crawford Cove Falls, Crevice Falls, Crow Creek Falls, Cullowhee Creek Falls, Curtis Creek Falls, Dana Falls, Dark Hollow Falls, Dark Prong Falls, Davids Falls, Deep Ford Falls, Democrat Canyon Falls, Destiny Falls, Devil's Canyon Falls, DEW Falls, Diamond Creek Falls, Diamond Falls, Discovery Falls, Doe Branch Falls, Doghobble Falls, Dome Falls, Double Branch Falls, Double Drop Falls, Douglas Falls, Dove Falls, Drift Falls (33 ft), Dryland Laurel Branch Falls, Dugger Creek Falls, Duggers Creek Falls, Dunns Rock Falls, East Fork Falls, Eastatoe Falls, Edge of the World Falls, Eel Line Falls, Elbow Falls, Elk River Falls (49 ft), Elmo Falls, Emily Falls, Emily's Cascade, English Falls, Enloe Creek Falls, Entrance Falls, Exit Falls, Factory Branch Falls, Fall Creek Falls, Fall Creek Falls, Falling Water Branch Falls, Fawn Branch Falls, First Falls, First Falls, Fisher Falls, Fishtop Falls, Flat Creek Falls, Fountain Branch Falls, Fowler Creek Falls, FR89 Falls, French Broad Falls, Frolictown Falls, Frozen Creek Shoals, Fulfillment Falls, Fungi Falls, Gage Creek Falls, Galvladi Falls, Game Land Falls, Gemini Falls, Gina Falls, Gingercake Creek Falls, Gladie Creek Falls, Glassmine Falls, Glassyrock Creek Falls, Glen Burney Falls, Glen Cannon Falls, Goliath Falls (118 ft), GPS Falls, Grace Falls, Gragg Prong Falls (33 ft), Grandmas Kitchen Falls, Granite Falls, Granny Burrell Falls, Grassy Branch Falls, Grassy Creek Falls, Grassy Creek Falls, Graveley Falls, Graybeard Falls, Great Blue Heron Falls, Great Falls, Great Falls, Green Grotto Falls, Green Mountain Falls, Greenland Creek Falls, Grogan Creek Falls, Gunter Fork Falls, Guyot Falls, Halfway Falls, Handpole Branch Falls, Harper Creek Falls, Hatcher Falls (33 ft), Havilah Falls, Hazel Creek Cascades, Hebron Colony Falls, Hemlock Shoals, Hen Tail Falls, Herrin Knob Falls, Hickey Fork Falls, Hickory Branch Falls, Hickory Nut Falls, Hidden Dome Falls, Hidden Falls, Hidden Falls, High Falls, High Falls (49 ft), High Shoals, High Shoals Falls, Hilliard Falls, Hitchin Post Falls, Hooper Falls, Hornet Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Huntfish Falls, Huntfish Sidekick Falls, Hurricane Falls, Incredible Falls (98 ft), Indian Branch Falls, Indian Camp Branch Falls, Indian Camp Creek Falls, Indian Camp Falls, Indian Creek Falls, Indian Creek Falls (11 ft), Indian Ford Falls (98 ft), Inside Passage Falls, Island Slide Falls, Ivestor Ridge Falls, J. Johnson Falls, Jagged Rock Falls, Jane Cantrell Falls, Jawbone Falls, Jenn's Falls, Joe Pack Falls, John Fisher Falls, John Neal Falls, John's Jump, Johnnies Creek Falls, Johnny Tiller Falls, Jonas Creek Falls, Judy Branch Falls, Julie Falls, Jumping Fish Falls, Juney Whank Falls, Justus Cove Falls, Kalakaleskies Falls, Katies Falls, Key Falls, Kiesee Falls, Kindling Falls, King Creek Falls, Kuykendall Falls, Lake Falls, Lake Louise Falls, Lamance Creek Falls, Land Bridge Falls, Laurel Blossom Falls, Laurel Falls, Laurel Falls, Laurel Falls, Laurel Fork Falls (52 ft), Laurel Leap Falls, Lauren Falls, Ledbetter Canyon Falls, Leland Falls, Lemon Falls, Lichen Falls, Licklog Branch Falls, Little Barnett Branch Trail Falls, Little Beartrap Falls, Little Bearwallow Falls, Little Bird Falls, Little Bradley Falls (49 ft), Little Creek Falls, Little Deep Ford Falls, Little East Fork Falls, Little Fall Branch Falls, Little Falls, Little Long Creek Falls, Little Looking Glass Falls, Little Lost Cove Falls, Little Moore Cove Falls (26 ft), Little River Falls, Little River Falls, Little Sam Falls, Little Wildcat Falls, Little Wilson Creek Falls, Locust Creek Falls, Log Hollow Falls, Logging Road Falls, Long Branch Falls, Long Creek Falls, Loobie Falls, Lovers Falls, Lower Abbs Creek Falls, Lower Bald Knob Falls, Lower Bald Springs Falls, Lower Balsam Falls, Lower Bearwallow Falls, Lower Bearwallow Falls, Lower Bubbling Spring Branch Falls, Lower Buff Creek Falls, Lower Cascades, Lower Catawaba Falls, Lower Cavern Falls, Lower Cavern Falls, Lower Chestnut Falls, Lower Cold Branch Falls, Lower Dismal Falls, Lower Enloe Creek Falls, Lower Falls, Lower Glen Marie Falls, Lower Greasy Cove Falls, Lower Horse Creek Falls, Lower Hungry River Falls, Lower Indian Creek Falls, Lower Laurel Fork Falls, Lower Middle Creek Falls, Lower Middle Prong Falls, Lower Raven Cliff Falls, Lower Rhapsodie Falls, Lower Rockhouse Creek Falls, Lower Rockyface Falls, Lower Sam Branch Falls, Lower Satulah Falls, Lower Scotsman Creek Falls, Lower Serenity Falls, Lower Slick Rock Falls, Lower Stick Falls, Lower Thompson Ridge Falls, Lower Thunderhole Falls, Lower Wildcat Falls (39 ft), Luner Falls, Lyn Lowry Falls, Mac's Falls, Maple Spring Branch Falls, Marilou Bradley Falls, McCall Mill Shoals, McGalliard Falls, Melrose Falls, Merge Lane Falls, Merry Falls, Middle Batson Creek Falls, Middle Cold Creek Falls, Middle Creek Falls, Middle Creek Falls, Middle Falls, Middle Fork Rock Creek Falls (79 ft), Middle Gragg Prong Falls (16 ft), Middle Indian Creek Falls, MIddle Raven Cliff Falls, Middle Rockhouse Creek Falls, Middle Wildcat Falls, Mill Creek Falls, Mill Creek Falls, Mill Falls, Mill Shoals, Miller Falls, Milton Bradley Falls, Mitchell Lick Falls, Mooney Falls, Moore Cove Falls (49 ft), Moosejaw Falls, Moses Creek Falls, Mossy Cave Falls, Mossy Chute Falls, Mossy Ledge Falls, Mount Hardy Falls (98 ft), Mount Toxaway Falls, Mystery Falls, Naiad Falls, Nana Falls, Nantahala Cascades, Nantahala Falls, Narrows Falls, Nasty Falls, Needles Falls, Nellies Falls, Nelsons Falls, New Falls, New Year's Creek Cascades, Newt Falls, No-Name Cove Falls, Noisy Falls, North Harper Creek Falls, North Shoal Creek Falls, Norton Falls, Oleta Falls, Orange Rock Falls, Otter Falls, Packs Falls, Pacolet Falls, Panacea Falls, Panthertown Creek Falls, Paradise Falls, Paris Falls, Parker Creek Falls, Patricia Falls, Paw Paw Falls, Pearson's Falls (89 ft), Phillips Branch Falls (43 ft), Phillips Falls, Picklesimer Rock House Falls, Pigeon Branch Falls, Piney Mountain Falls, Pinkerton Pool Falls, Pinky Falls, Pittypat Falls, Plaid Falls, Pleasant Grove Church Falls, Plott Hound Falls, Pool Creek Falls, Portage Left Falls, Pot Branch Falls, Pothole Falls, Pothole Falls, Pothole Falls, Pounding Mill Falls, Poundingmill Branch Falls, Powerhouse Falls, Powerline Falls, Pulliam Creek Falls, Pulpit Falls, Puncheon Camp Creek Falls, Quarry Falls, Rainbow Falls, Rainforest Falls, Rainy Falls, Ranger Falls, Rattlesnake Falls, Raven Falls, Raven Rock Falls, Ray Cove Falls, Razorback, Red Butt Falls, Red Rock Falls, Reece Place Falls, Reid Branch Falls (20 ft), Resurrection Falls, Revels Prong Falls, Rhapsodie Falls (66 ft), Rhododendron Falls, Rich Falls, Rider Falls, Riding Ford Falls, Rip Breeches Falls, Ripshin Branch Falls, Roaring Fork Falls, Robinson Creek Falls, Rock Creek Falls, Rock Slab Falls, Rockhouse Falls, Rocky Knob Falls, Rooster Tail Falls, Rough Butt Creek Falls, Roy Taylor Falls, Rudis Falls, Rufus Morgan Waterfall (60 ft), Sally Queen Falls, Sam Branch Falls (66 ft), Sand Creek Falls, Sassafras Knob Falls, Saxifrage Falls, Scandin Falls, Scotsman Creek Falls, Second Falls, Secret Falls, Sequoah Falls, Serenity Falls, Serpentine Falls, Setrock Creek Falls, Shacktown Falls, Sharpes Falls, She Falls Falls, Sheephead Falls, Shoal Creek Falls, Shoal Creek Falls, Short Creek Falls, Shot Pouch Falls, Shower Falls, Shuck Ridge Creek Falls, Shunkawauken Falls (148 ft), Shut In Falls, Sidepocket Falls (49 ft), Sillers Falls, Silver Falls, Silver Ribbon Falls, Silver Run Falls (26 ft), Silver Slip Falls, Simon Falls, Sitton Creek Falls, Skidder Falls, Skinny Dip Falls, Skitty Creek Falls, Sky Falls (148 ft), Slab Falls, Slate Rock Creek Falls, Sleepy Hollow Falls, Slick Falls, Slick Stick Falls, Slickens Creek Falls, Sliding Rock, Slippery Witch Falls, Sols Creek Falls, Somey Creek Falls, South Harper Creek Falls, South Shoal Creek Falls, Spice Cove Falls, Split Falls, Split Rock Falls, Split Rock Falls, Split Rock Falls, Spring Creek Falls, Squawroot Falls, Stair Step Falls, Stairstep Falls, Stairway Falls (39 ft), Standing Rock Falls, Standing Stone Falls, Standing Up Rock Falls, Steels Creek Falls, Steeltrap Creek Falls, Step Around Falls, Stick Biscuit Falls, Stick Falls, Stillhouse Falls, Stillhouse Falls, Stone Mountain Falls, Sugar Creek Falls, Summey Cove Falls, Sunburst Falls, Sunshine Falls, Sutton Falls, Sweat Heifer Cascades, Tanasee Creek Falls, Tanawha Falls, Taper Falls, Taywa Creek Cascade, Teacups Falls, Teds Falls, Tellico Falls, Ten Foot Falls, The Cascades, The Cascades on Nantahala, The Falls, The Notch, The Shoals, Thomas Falls, Thorps Creek Falls, Thunder Hole, Thunderhole Falls, Tiger Rock Falls, Timber Falls, Tise falls, Tom Branch Falls (49 ft), Tom's Falls, Toms Creek Falls, Toms Spring Falls, Torys Falls, Townhouse Falls, Toxaway Shoals, Tranquility Falls, Transylvania Falls, Tributary Three Falls, Trillium Falls, Triple Drop, Tuckasegee River Falls, Tucker Creek Falls, Tumblin' Fun Falls, Turtle Rock Falls, Turtleback Falls (13 ft), Twentymile Creek Cascade, Twin Boulder Falls (66 ft), Twin Falls, Twin Falls (16 ft), Twin Falls, Twin Falls, Unmentionable Falls, Upper Abbs Creek Falls, Upper Avery Creek Falls, Upper Bald Knob Falls, Upper Batson Creek Falls, Upper Bear Creek Falls, Upper Bearwallow Falls (98 ft), Upper Beetree Fork Falls, Upper Bubbling Spring Branch Falls, Upper Buckeye Falls, Upper Buff Creek Falls, Upper Camp Branch Falls, Upper Casscades, Upper Catawba Falls, Upper Cedar Rock Falls, Upper Cold Branch Falls (39 ft), Upper Courthouse Falls, Upper Creek Falls (98 ft), Upper Crow Creek Falls, Upper Dark Prong Falls, Upper Dill Falls, Upper Glen Marie Falls, Upper Gragg Prong Falls, Upper Greasy Cove Falls, Upper High Shoals Falls, Upper Hungry River Falls, Upper Indian Creek Falls, Upper Kiesee Falls, Upper Linville Falls, Upper Little Lost Cove Falls, Upper Little Moore Cove Falls, Upper Log Hollow Falls, Upper Logging Road Falls, Upper Maple Spring Branch Falls, Upper Melrose Falls, Upper Middle Creek Falls, Upper Middle Prong Falls, Upper Mill Shoals, Upper Moore Cove Falls, Upper Mouse Creek Falls, Upper Pool Creek Falls, Upper Raven Cliff Falls (46 ft), Upper Rockhouse Creek Falls, Upper Rockyface Falls, Upper Scotsman Creek Falls, Upper Shoal Creek Falls, Upper Silver Run Falls, Upper Sols Creek Falls, Upper South Harper Creek Falls, Upper Steels Creek Falls, Upper Sugar Creek Falls, Upper Thompson Ridge Falls, Upper Toms Spring Falls, Upper Whiteoak Creek Falls, Upper Whitewater Falls (410 ft), Upper Widows Creek Falls, Upper Wintergreen Falls (66 ft), Upper Wolf Mountain Falls, Uwharrie Falls, Verde Falls, Verlie Falls, Violet Falls, Waddle Branch Falls, Walker Hollow Falls, Walkingstick Falls, Warden Falls, Warrior Falls, Wash Hollow Falls (49 ft), Washington Creek Falls, Waterfalls of Flat Laurel Creek, Wesser Falls, West Prong Mouse Creek Falls, Whaleback Falls, Wheelchair Accessable Falls, White Owl Falls (13 ft), Whiteoak Creek Falls, Whiteoak Falls, Whitetail Falls, Whitewater Branch Falls, Whitmire Falls, Widows Falls, Wildcat Falls (197 ft), Wildcat Falls, Wilderness Falls, Will Falls, William Falls, Williamson Creek Falls, Winston Falls, Wintergreen Falls (164 ft), Wintergreen Falls, Wolf Creek Falls, Wolf Creek Falls, Wolf Laurel Falls, Wolf Mountain Falls, Woodruff Branch Falls, Yanu Branch Cascade, Yellow Creek Falls (26 ft), Yellow Patch Falls, Zig Zag Falls

Before you go

The map shows where falls are, not whether they are open or safe to reach. Check the land manager, usually a state park or national forest, for closures, fees and permits, and stay on the trail near the water. Our waterfall safety guide covers the hazards, and waterfall hikes near me explains how to pick a trail.

Waterfalls near cities in North Carolina

Every named fall within driving range of the city, nearest first: waterfalls near Asheville, waterfalls near Charlotte, waterfalls near Boone, waterfalls near Brevard.

Waterfalls in nearby states: South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee. Or see waterfalls in every state.