If you’re looking for waterfalls near me within the mountains of Western North Carolina, you are in for some great news, as this area is a waterfall bonanza for outdoor enthusiasts. The waterfalls in this part of the state could easily number in the four-digit range, but one county in particular has more waterfalls and cascades than any other. If you’re up for a weekend (or even just a day) of outdoor adventure, then head to Transylvania County (a.k.a. the Land of Waterfalls), where you’ll find 250 waterfalls and cascades spread throughout the county. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular:
- Looking Glass Falls
alltrails/Mike Dee If you’re not a huge fan of hiking, then you’re bound to love this easy 0.3 mile trail located in the Pisgah National Forest! It leads to a viewing platform overlooking the 65-foot towering Looking Glass Falls in Brevard. Learn all you need to know from the USDA Forest Service website. Looking Glass Falls, North Carolina 28768, USA
- Sliding Rock
Flickr/Dave Technically, this waterfall is more of a water “glide,” but it’s still one of the most popular attractions in Transylvania County. The smooth rock provides a 60-foot natural waterslide, and there is even a railing to help you get back up to the top to do it all over again (and again!). Get the latest info on this awesome spot. Sliding Rock, North Carolina 28768, USA
- Rainbow Falls
Flickr/Jim Liestman One of the many hiking trails with waterfalls in North Carolina, this one is accessible after a 1.75-mile hike that’s considered moderate. If you’re heading out in the heat of the summer, bring a bathing suit! Learn all about this trail before you head out. Rainbow Falls, North Carolina 28747, USA
- Turtle Back Falls
Flickr/Terry Vest This waterfall is located within Gorges State Park, and just a little farther along on the same trail as Rainbow Falls. Some people slide over this waterfall, or at the very least, take a dip in the nice pool at the bottom. Combine viewing this waterfall with the Rainbow Falls trail in order to experience one of the best waterfall hikes in North Carolina. Rainbow Falls, North Carolina 28747, USA
- Triple Falls
alltrails/Kate Hinton Appropriately named, Triple Falls in North Carolina is located about .03 miles along a loop trail that gets more difficult if you venture past it. However, getting to just this waterfall is relatively easy and yields views of a spectacular cascade with three stepping sections. Find the trailhead for this 2.9-mile loop. Triple Falls, North Carolina 28739, USA
- Hooker Falls
alltrails/Amy Tippett Hooker Falls in North Carolina is accessed via an easy trail that is less than half a mile in length. The deep pool at the bottom of the falls is a favorite for cooling off on a hot summer day. Hooker Falls is located in Dupont State Forest, just outside of Brevard. All Trails has all the details for this hike. Hooker Falls, North Carolina 28768, USA
- Bridal Veil Falls
Wikipedia/Jordanedwardmitchell
alltrails/Bill Chick The top portion of this trailing waterfall (shown above) pours over a smooth granite outcropping and gracefully makes its way down the cascade until it reaches the bottom (shown in the photo immediately above), where it fans out all over the place. Access this Transylvania County waterfall via a five-mile loop trail near Cedar Mountain. Although the trail is longer than most, it’s rated as easy and is one of the best waterfall hikes in North Carolina. Learn more about this unique area. Bridal Veil Falls, North Carolina 28741, USA
Chasing waterfalls is a fun way to spend the day or weekend! In your downtime in Transylvania County, head to Brevard, where you’ll be in absolute heaven if you love antiquing. Learn more about what this city has to offer.
alltrails/Mike Dee
If you’re not a huge fan of hiking, then you’re bound to love this easy 0.3 mile trail located in the Pisgah National Forest! It leads to a viewing platform overlooking the 65-foot towering Looking Glass Falls in Brevard. Learn all you need to know from the USDA Forest Service website.
Looking Glass Falls, North Carolina 28768, USA
Flickr/Dave
Technically, this waterfall is more of a water “glide,” but it’s still one of the most popular attractions in Transylvania County. The smooth rock provides a 60-foot natural waterslide, and there is even a railing to help you get back up to the top to do it all over again (and again!). Get the latest info on this awesome spot.
Sliding Rock, North Carolina 28768, USA
Flickr/Jim Liestman
One of the many hiking trails with waterfalls in North Carolina, this one is accessible after a 1.75-mile hike that’s considered moderate. If you’re heading out in the heat of the summer, bring a bathing suit! Learn all about this trail before you head out.
Rainbow Falls, North Carolina 28747, USA
Flickr/Terry Vest
This waterfall is located within Gorges State Park, and just a little farther along on the same trail as Rainbow Falls. Some people slide over this waterfall, or at the very least, take a dip in the nice pool at the bottom. Combine viewing this waterfall with the Rainbow Falls trail in order to experience one of the best waterfall hikes in North Carolina.
alltrails/Kate Hinton
Appropriately named, Triple Falls in North Carolina is located about .03 miles along a loop trail that gets more difficult if you venture past it. However, getting to just this waterfall is relatively easy and yields views of a spectacular cascade with three stepping sections. Find the trailhead for this 2.9-mile loop.
Triple Falls, North Carolina 28739, USA
alltrails/Amy Tippett
Hooker Falls in North Carolina is accessed via an easy trail that is less than half a mile in length. The deep pool at the bottom of the falls is a favorite for cooling off on a hot summer day. Hooker Falls is located in Dupont State Forest, just outside of Brevard. All Trails has all the details for this hike.
Hooker Falls, North Carolina 28768, USA
Wikipedia/Jordanedwardmitchell
alltrails/Bill Chick
The top portion of this trailing waterfall (shown above) pours over a smooth granite outcropping and gracefully makes its way down the cascade until it reaches the bottom (shown in the photo immediately above), where it fans out all over the place. Access this Transylvania County waterfall via a five-mile loop trail near Cedar Mountain. Although the trail is longer than most, it’s rated as easy and is one of the best waterfall hikes in North Carolina. Learn more about this unique area.
Bridal Veil Falls, North Carolina 28741, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Waterfalls Near Me April 24, 2022 Rachel Raimondi What is weather like in the spring in North Carolina? Like most southern states, North Carolina experiences mild winters and humid summers. While the state averages only about five inches of snow per year, it’s likely the mercury will rise high into the 80s and 90s in the summer. In the spring, expect very pleasant temperatures, ranging from the mid-60s to the early 70s, but the chance for tornados is higher during this period. Which state parks should I visit in North Carolina? North Carolina has 41 state parks within its borders, with an assortment of activities and attractions to offer residents and visitors. Fort Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach offers a glimpse into history (the fort was built in the 1820s to protect Beaufort Harbor during the Civil War) as well as lovely scenery in its sandy beaches and greenery with hiking, swimming, and fishing available. If you’re lucky, you may even be able to catch one of their Civil War reenactments. In Stokes County, you’ll find the 9,011-acre Hanging Rock State Park. There are 20 miles of hiking and over eight miles for mountain biking, along with camping opportunities and a 12-acre lake for swimming, boating, and fishing. It also offers world-class rock climbing opportunities with Moore’s Wall and Cook’s Wall. If you’re in the area and looking for waterfalls near me, there is even a short trail that leads out to Hidden Falls. What are the best outdoor adventures in North Carolina? With 18.3 million acres of forest across its almost 54,000 square miles, there is quite a lot of outdoor adventure to be had in North Carolina. However, the fact that the state is home to about half of the 522,427-acre Great Smoky Mountains National Park cannot be ignored. From hiking its 150 trails to camping to fishing to horseback riding to oh-so-much-more, there is something for everyone here. Other highlights include driving Cades Cove to see historic structures (and possibly spot unique wildlife like black bears) and stunning sunset views from Clingman’s Dome. Even just driving through the park is an adventure in itself with highlights like Newfound Gap and Cataloochee Valley. And of course, there’s its proximity to the vista-filled Blue Ridge Parkway. And if you are looking for hiking trails with waterfalls in North Carolina, check out Abrams Falls, Laurel Falls, Rainbow Falls, Grotto Falls, or several others.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Waterfalls Near Me
April 24, 2022
Rachel Raimondi
What is weather like in the spring in North Carolina? Like most southern states, North Carolina experiences mild winters and humid summers. While the state averages only about five inches of snow per year, it’s likely the mercury will rise high into the 80s and 90s in the summer. In the spring, expect very pleasant temperatures, ranging from the mid-60s to the early 70s, but the chance for tornados is higher during this period. Which state parks should I visit in North Carolina? North Carolina has 41 state parks within its borders, with an assortment of activities and attractions to offer residents and visitors. Fort Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach offers a glimpse into history (the fort was built in the 1820s to protect Beaufort Harbor during the Civil War) as well as lovely scenery in its sandy beaches and greenery with hiking, swimming, and fishing available. If you’re lucky, you may even be able to catch one of their Civil War reenactments. In Stokes County, you’ll find the 9,011-acre Hanging Rock State Park. There are 20 miles of hiking and over eight miles for mountain biking, along with camping opportunities and a 12-acre lake for swimming, boating, and fishing. It also offers world-class rock climbing opportunities with Moore’s Wall and Cook’s Wall. If you’re in the area and looking for waterfalls near me, there is even a short trail that leads out to Hidden Falls. What are the best outdoor adventures in North Carolina? With 18.3 million acres of forest across its almost 54,000 square miles, there is quite a lot of outdoor adventure to be had in North Carolina. However, the fact that the state is home to about half of the 522,427-acre Great Smoky Mountains National Park cannot be ignored. From hiking its 150 trails to camping to fishing to horseback riding to oh-so-much-more, there is something for everyone here. Other highlights include driving Cades Cove to see historic structures (and possibly spot unique wildlife like black bears) and stunning sunset views from Clingman’s Dome. Even just driving through the park is an adventure in itself with highlights like Newfound Gap and Cataloochee Valley. And of course, there’s its proximity to the vista-filled Blue Ridge Parkway. And if you are looking for hiking trails with waterfalls in North Carolina, check out Abrams Falls, Laurel Falls, Rainbow Falls, Grotto Falls, or several others.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Like most southern states, North Carolina experiences mild winters and humid summers. While the state averages only about five inches of snow per year, it’s likely the mercury will rise high into the 80s and 90s in the summer. In the spring, expect very pleasant temperatures, ranging from the mid-60s to the early 70s, but the chance for tornados is higher during this period.
Which state parks should I visit in North Carolina?
North Carolina has 41 state parks within its borders, with an assortment of activities and attractions to offer residents and visitors. Fort Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach offers a glimpse into history (the fort was built in the 1820s to protect Beaufort Harbor during the Civil War) as well as lovely scenery in its sandy beaches and greenery with hiking, swimming, and fishing available. If you’re lucky, you may even be able to catch one of their Civil War reenactments. In Stokes County, you’ll find the 9,011-acre Hanging Rock State Park. There are 20 miles of hiking and over eight miles for mountain biking, along with camping opportunities and a 12-acre lake for swimming, boating, and fishing. It also offers world-class rock climbing opportunities with Moore’s Wall and Cook’s Wall. If you’re in the area and looking for waterfalls near me, there is even a short trail that leads out to Hidden Falls.
What are the best outdoor adventures in North Carolina?
With 18.3 million acres of forest across its almost 54,000 square miles, there is quite a lot of outdoor adventure to be had in North Carolina. However, the fact that the state is home to about half of the 522,427-acre Great Smoky Mountains National Park cannot be ignored. From hiking its 150 trails to camping to fishing to horseback riding to oh-so-much-more, there is something for everyone here. Other highlights include driving Cades Cove to see historic structures (and possibly spot unique wildlife like black bears) and stunning sunset views from Clingman’s Dome. Even just driving through the park is an adventure in itself with highlights like Newfound Gap and Cataloochee Valley. And of course, there’s its proximity to the vista-filled Blue Ridge Parkway. And if you are looking for hiking trails with waterfalls in North Carolina, check out Abrams Falls, Laurel Falls, Rainbow Falls, Grotto Falls, or several others.
