The best waterfalls in North Carolina

Dry Falls, Highlands, NC

If you love outdoor activities or hiking, you definitely shouldn’t miss this place.

The waterfall and its surrounding scenery blend together naturally and beautifully, creating a breathtaking, almost fairy-tale-like landscape.

Looking Glass Falls is located within Pisgah National Forest, and is less than a 30-minute drive from the previous two waterfalls.

I highly recommend this waterfall for two reasons. First, it is located right by the roadside, so you can reach it without any hiking. Second, it is extremely beautiful, with water cascading directly down a rock cliff in a very graceful flow. Among all the waterfalls we visited today, this one is definitely the most visually stunning.

In addition, Pisgah National Forest itself is also worth noting. Around 1900, George Vanderbilt, the builder of the Biltmore Estate, acquired this land and initiated scientific study and conservation of the forest. It is considered the birthplace of forestry in the United States.

Sliding Rocks is a spot specifically for sliding down natural rock formations. In autumn, there is no entrance fee, but because it’s free, the restroom is also closed. Still, there are a lot of people there.

I changed into my swimsuit right by the forest. The creek water was about 55°F, and it felt extremely cold and biting on the skin.

Everyone moved quickly, and before I had even mentally prepared myself, it was my turn in line. The rock surface is already very smooth, so you slide down really fast. Once you enter the water, the adrenaline kicks in immediately.

Of course, reaching this kind of scenery also requires a bit of hiking.

The Hawksbill hike is not the easiest, especially if you want to catch the sunset from the summit. In that case, you’ll need to hike back down in the dark, which comes with a real risk of getting lost.

Linville Falls offers several different trail options, each with varying difficulty levels. The trail down to the base of the waterfall is the most challenging.

We couldn’t waste the 25°C weather at the end of December. The kids and their dad ended up hiking straight through the river again—the mountain water was absolutely freezing!

Hooker Falls is located in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina, United States. Wide veil falls popular for swimming. Visit guide and safety information will be added soon.

High Falls Trail, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768

This seems like a relatively lesser-known trail in DuPont State Forest, but the waterfall itself is quite spectacular. Even at the end of November, the water flow was still strong.

Doing the loop and viewing the waterfall from the overlook is quite easy and relaxed. However, if you go down to the base, you’ll need proper non-slip hiking shoes. The area at the bottom of the falls had a noticeable smell, a bit like manure, but the scenery was still worth it overall—definitely recommended.

Spring has finally arrived! The cool weather makes it perfect for hiking.

Crabtree Falls

We drove for about three hours to a small town called Little Switzerland. The town has a charming European feel, but unfortunately, many of the shops and restaurants were closed for renovations.

Chimney Rock State Park is located in Rutherford County, North Carolina. Covering 32.43 square kilometres, the park is about 40km southeast of Asheville. It is a paradise for nature lovers, with spectacular scenery and peaceful hiking trails.

The park is also home to Hickory Nut Falls, which appeared in the epic movie The Last of the Mohicans.

Standing 123 metres tall, it is one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River. We hiked a 2.4km return trail to see the waterfall from the viewing area.