10 Most Breathtaking Waterfalls in Western North Carolina
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Western North Carolina is a nature lover’s oasis. The region is home to Transylvania County, which has been nicknamed “the Land of Waterfalls.” There are over 250 waterfalls to explore in this country alone. Many of these waterfalls are easily accessible via a short hike, while some are even located right off the highway. You could spend the entire year exploring the waterfalls of Western North Carolina (and I did during my time living here). However, as your time will most likely be limited, you can check out my guide to what I believe are the most dazzling and worthy of your time. I have tried to limit this guide to those of no more than moderate intensity.
1. Triple Falls
See 3 waterfalls via 1 hike along this incredible trail located within Dupont State Forest. This one really offers the biggest bang-for-your-buck experience. There is no entrance fee, no parking fee, and you get to see 3 waterfalls via minimal effort. Really, can it get any better than that? What’s more, this is a fantastic leaf peeping destination. And movie fans listen up – The base of Triple Falls was featured in The Hunger Games.
Hooker Falls: It’s just 12 feet tall but super wide & powerful!
Triple Falls: An 125 foot waterfall stunner. Hike to the base for an awesome view!
High Falls: This 125 foot stunner is the real beauty here.
Oh, and don’t miss the detour to a beautiful historic covered bridge, located about 0.2 miles from High Falls. It’s well worth the short trek. All in all, the total hike to see all 3 falls is about 2.2 miles round trip. Not bad considering you get to see 2 of the most impressive waterfalls in the state!
- How to get here: Start from the visitor’s center at 89 Buck Forest Rd, Cedar Mountain, NC 28718 (a quick 50 min drive south of Asheville). There is no fee to park.
- My guide to hiking Triple Falls
2. Looking Glass Falls
Looking Glass Falls within the gorgeous Pisgah National Forest is the best option for non-hikers who still want to take time to enjoy the great outdoors. For this one, you can simply hop out of your car and enjoy a prime view of this 60 foot single-drop classic beauty. As one of the most powerful waterfalls in the state, this one does not disappoint. It can get quite crowded (esp in the summer), but it’s one of the most beautiful roadside waterfalls you will come across.
Adding in that there is no effort involved whatsoever and the drive over from Asheville is quite scenic, there is no reason not to put this one high on your must-see list. Best of all, there is no admission fee.
Fun fact: the unique name comes from the mirror-like appearance Looking Glass rock takes on during the winter season as the ice freezes and glistens in the sun.
How to get here: Looking Glass is located along Hwy 276 near Brevard, about 50 min south of Asheville.
3. Catawba Falls
As one of the closest & most scenic waterfalls near Asheville, Catawba sees pretty heavy visitation year-round. This 100 foot waterfall really is visually appealing due to the multiple cascades and heavy tree coverage. This one is absolutely stunning in fall as brilliant hues create a picture-perfect autumn backdrop. The beautiful Pisgah National Forest really is at its’ best during the colorful fall season.
The hike is slightly steep for most of the 1.5 mile out-and-back trek, although you will still see plenty of families, dog walkers, and casual hikers out there. Nothing too strenuous considering the reward in the end. You would think this one would be insanely crowded on the actual trail given its’ easily accessibility. However, despite the full parking lots, it’s easy to find a bit of peace and quiet amongst the woody surroundings. This is one of my personal favorites!
- How to get here: The trailhead begins at 3074 Catawba River Rd, Old Fort, NC 28762 (30 min east of Asheville).
- My guide to hiking Catawba
4. Rainbow Falls
Hiking to the stunning 150 foot tall Rainbow Falls within Gorges State Park is a great addition to your WNC bucket list. Although the hike is a bit more challenging than the rest on this list, it is definitely one of the more majestic falls. This is one that looks even bigger and more powerful in person, and therefore, no picture really does justice.
The big boulders surrounding the falls and the deep pool that the falls plunge into really creates that postcard worthy setting. On sunny afternoons, you may see a rainbow in the mist, hence the name.
If you love hiking, you will definitely appreciate the lovely walk through nature. This trail is really isolated and heavily forested, making it a great place to get back to nature. After a few days dealing with the tourist crowds in Asheville, getting lost in nature is a real treat. The trek is 1.7 miles and steep for much of the journey, so you will get in a fabulous workout. Let’s just say you can skip the gym guilt free the next day!
This is one of the newer state parks having just been established in 2009. The trails are all well maintained and the visitor’s center is gorgeous. Unfortunately, parking is quite a hassle on the weekend and you may find yourself walking a bit if you do not arrive early enough.
How to get here: Gorges is located at 976 Grassy Ridge Rd in Sapphire, about an hour SW of Asheville. No fees!
5. Tom’s Creek Falls
Every place has its’ hidden gems which stay under the radar throughout the years. In Western North Carolina, this place is Tom’s Creek Falls. This is an amazing waterfall, which remains quite secluded due to an attractive off-the-beaten path location. This hike takes you on a quiet journey through the beautiful Pisgah National Forest. The trek is just over a half mile to get to the 80 foot waterfall. Living in busy Asheville, I really appreciate quiet places. Tom’s is one of the trails I come back to most often.
Unlike the more popular WNC waterfalls there is not much traffic congregating around the waterfall here. This means you can take great pics and actually relax for a bit in a quiet setting before embarking on the return route. On a side note, the trail was once the site of a mica mine. Today, mica embedded rocks glisten in the sun adding an extra sparkle to an already gorgeous hike.
- How to get here: Tom’s is located at 1250 Huskins Branch Rd in Marion, about an hour east of Asheville. No fees to park!
- My guide to hiking Tom’s
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