Waterfalls in North Carolina

Western North Carolina has one of the densest concentrations of waterfalls in the country, spread across the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests and the mountain counties around Asheville, Brevard, and the Highlands-Cashiers area. Some are roadside, a short walk from a pull-off on a state or forest road. Others sit miles back on a trail, with real elevation change on the way in and out. The range in effort is part of what makes this region work for almost any kind of trip, from a quick stop with kids to a full day of waterfall hiking.

Flow varies by season the way it does across the whole southern Appalachians. Late winter through spring tends to run the fullest after winter and spring rain, while a dry summer or fall can thin out the smaller falls considerably. Wet rock near any of these is more dangerous than it looks, and a real share of injuries on this list come from slips near the base of a falls rather than from the approach trail itself.

Fall leaf season draws the heaviest crowds to the best-known stops, generally peaking from late September at the highest elevations into early November lower down. Parking at the popular trailheads fills fast on weekends during that stretch. A weekday trip, or an early start on a weekend, is the more reliable way to actually get a parking spot.