Waterfalls · North Carolina
Best waterfalls in North Carolina
Mapped18 falls
Easy access10 roadside / short walk
TallestWhitewater Falls
Max drop411 ft
Western North Carolina is the waterfall capital of the East. The Blue Ridge escarpment wrings rivers off the mountains into hundreds of falls — roadside classics off the Parkway, the movie-famous cascades of DuPont, and the tallest fall east of the Rockies at Whitewater. Spring and after-rain are best; many are family-easy.
Whitewater Falls411 ftthe tallest waterfall east of the Rockies, on the NC–SC line.
Cullasaja Falls250 fta roaring roadside fall on the dramatic Cullasaja Gorge drive.
High Falls (DuPont)150 fta massive sloping fall in DuPont, a "Hunger Games" filming site.
Rainbow Falls (Gorges)150 fta misty, rainbow-throwing fall in Gorges State Park.
Toxaway Falls125 fta broad sloping fall the highway crosses right at its lip.
Bridal Veil Falls (Highlands)120 ftyou can drive the old road behind this roadside fall near Highlands.
Mingo Falls120 fta tall, delicate fall on the Cherokee reservation near the Smokies.
Soco Falls120 fta rare double fall a few steps off the highway near Cherokee.
Triple Falls (DuPont)120 ftthree falls in one frame, also seen on the big screen.
Catawba Falls100 fta layered, mossy cascade at the headwaters of the Catawba River.
Linville Falls90 ftmultiple overlooks of the falls and the Linville Gorge.
Crabtree Falls (NC)70 fta lacy fall on a loop off the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Glen Falls (NC)70 fta series of falls with mountain views near Highlands.
Dry Falls65 ftwalk behind the curtain without getting wet, near Highlands.
Looking Glass Falls60 fta classic Pisgah roadside fall you can wade below.
Elk River Falls50 fta wide, powerful High Country fall with a big plunge pool.
Second Falls (Graveyard Fields)50 fta popular fall in the high, open Graveyard Fields off the Parkway.
Hooker Falls12 fta wide, kid-friendly fall and swimming hole in DuPont.Pair it with
Flows change with the season and recent rain — many falls roar at spring snowmelt and slow by late summer. Check conditions and any permit or reservation rules before you go.