There are so many pretty waterfalls near Asheville, North Carolina. This metropolis is found within the “Land of the Waterfalls.” With dozens of waterfalls to discover, this could be a great place to hike and turn into one with nature.
The Blue Ridge Mountains, Pisgah National Forest, and Mount Mitchell areas all have nice waterfalls and are a brief drive from Asheville. With a day trip from town, you’ll find a way to get pleasure from many hiking trails near Asheville with waterfalls and discover many different fairly nature scenes.
If you need to experience some waterfalls with different folks, think about doing a few Asheville waterfall excursions. There are a lot to select from that depart from Asheville. Some tours embrace transportation and there are even some led by a naturalist. Taking one of these nature excursions is certainly one of the finest issues to do in Asheville!
You can even make your personal North Carolina street trip itinerary to see as many waterfalls as you can!
Let’s check out one of the best waterfalls near Asheville, NC!
Waterfalls An Hour or Less From Asheville
Catawba Falls
Just a half-hour drive and a 3-mile round trip hike from Asheville, you will discover Catawba Falls. This 100-foot waterfall is discovered on the finish of a beautiful, moderate trail. Along the way, you will discover views of the Catawba River and some smaller falls on it. A new footbridge makes an excellent photograph op and helps you cross the river without having to hop throughout on rocks.
If you’re an experienced hiker, you can prolong your hike to see the Upper Catawba Falls. Even though it’s only an extra half mile, the trail is strenuous and involves steep areas and rock climbing. The reward is seeing the gorgeous 50-foot Upper Falls surrounded by trees.
These are a few of the closest waterfalls to Asheville should you don’t have time to venture additional. Don’t overlook to take a glance at our listing of Best Things to Do In North Carolina!
Looking Glass Falls
Looking Glass Falls is probably one of the greatest waterfalls in North Carolina and is barely an hour from Asheville within the Pisgah National Forest. This can also be some of the accessible waterfalls since it may be seen from the road. If you wish to get nearer, a short walk will deliver you proper as much as the falling water.
This 60-foot waterfall is worth a go to irrespective of the time of yr. In spring, the water might be dashing from snowmelt. In the summer season, you can cool off in the swimming gap on the base of the falls.
Come in fall to find the falls surrounded by brilliant foliage. In winter, lots of the water freezes to create superb ice sculptures. If you wish to photograph Looking Glass Falls, come in the afternoon for the most effective gentle.
Crabtree Falls
Crabtree Falls is on the Blue Ridge Parkway and is one other of the most effective waterfalls near Asheville. You might need to drive an hour from the city after which hike a three-mile out and again trail to get to this impressive waterfall. This water feature is 70 toes tall and is fairly wide.
The waterfall flows down a rock face and into a creek. A close by bridge over the creek offers great views or makes a cool element for images.
If you make the hike in the spring, count on to be surrounded by wildflowers, though there might be mud from the rain. This is amongst the greatest North Carolina waterfall hikes to see fall foliage as well.
This waterfall hike is also one of the best things to do near Little Switzerland!
Slick Rock Falls
Another waterfall in Pisgah National Forest and an hour from Asheville is Slick Rock Falls. This 35-foot waterfall flows over a cliff and is best to visit after heavy rainfall. If you visit in the heat of summer season, it is a great North Carolina waterfall to maintain you cool. You can walk underneath the falls or behind it and benefit from the refreshing spray.
The trail to this waterfall is a simple .75-mile trek. This waterfall can additionally be near many other falls as nicely as the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education. This is one other excellent spot to visit in the winter if the roads are satisfactory. The water freezes into awesome ice formations. No matter what time of the 12 months, this is doubtless one of the best simple waterfall hikes near Asheville.
Sliding Rock
Sliding Rock is probably one of the most popular waterfalls near Asheville for households with young children. This waterfall flows down a flat rock at the perfect angle to create a fantastic natural water slide. A makeshift ramp with rails leads to the top of the waterfall where you presumably can slide down right into a deep pool on the backside. Even in the summer, the water is a cool degrees Fahrenheit, however it is the perfect approach to cool down.
It does cost $4 a person to get into Sliding Rock, however there is a lifeguard and open restrooms there throughout high season to make the visit extra pleasant. There are additionally shady areas to relax in and remark decks to watch the motion. You and your children will have a blast riding down this 60-foot waterfall.
The hike to Sliding Rock is lower than half a mile and is straightforward sufficient for all ages. This waterfall is near Slick Rock Falls and Looking Glass Falls amongst Asheville hiking waterfalls.
Linville Falls
An hour from Asheville and simply off the Blue Ridge Parkway is Linville Falls. Found in a gorge on the Linville River, is certainly one of the most photographed waterfalls in North Carolina. The scene is especially breathtaking in the fall when the bushes encircling the waterfall turn fiery.
There are two completely different hikes across the falls. The first is the reasonable Erwins View Trail. This trail leaves from the Visitor’s Center and is slightly over a 1.5 miles spherical trip. The trail presents superb and panoramic views of Linville Falls and the encompassing nature.
The second trail is extra strenuous. Undertaking the Linville Gorge Trail will lead you down into the gorge for nearer views of the thundering waterfall. You can’t swim here because of the currents, however it is a great spot for a picnic subsequent to the water. It is simple to say that this is probably one of the greatest waterfalls near Asheville!
Soco Falls
Soco Falls is slightly below an hour west of Asheville. This beautiful, double waterfall is among the must-visit waterfalls in western North Carolina when you love photographing amazing pure beauty.
From the parking space, it is just a five-minute walk to the remark deck the place you presumably can see the falls. From this vantage point, it’s easier to see each falls collectively in fall or winter when there are fewer leaves on the bushes.
To get closer to the falls, there’s a steeper trail down from the statement deck. Be careful strolling here since it could get slippery. There are ropes to help you hold your stability.
Hooker Falls
Hooker Falls, in DuPont State Forest, is only twelve feet tall, but it is much wider throughout. The neatest thing about this waterfall is the large swimming pool at the base. This is the only waterfall you can swim at on this state forest since it’s secure and calm.
It is only a straightforward quarter-mile stroll from the parking lot to the falls. There are statement decks and plenty of huge rocks along the water to take a seat on. This is a good place to bring your youngsters. Pack a picnic, swimming suits, and towels to take benefit of your time right here.
Hooker Falls just isn’t the only waterfall on the Little River. Triple Falls, High Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls are all found in DuPont State Forest as nicely. The Seven-Mile Waterfall Hike will take you to all of them. This is amongst the finest waterfall hikes near Asheville, NC!
Triple Falls
Triple Falls is just down the river from Hooker Falls and is part of the same hiking trail. This tiered waterfall flows down in three pretty sections adding as much as 120 feet.
This waterscape is perfect for anybody who loves nature or motion pictures. Interestingly, scenes from the 2012 movie “The Hunger Games” were filmed right here. You can stand in the identical spot as Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson who played Katniss and Peeta.
Because of the rocky nature of the river, you’ll have the ability to walk right up to the waterfalls, but be careful of slick spots. This waterfall is an hour south of Asheville, good for a day trip.
Pearson’s Falls
Pearson’s Falls is down near the South Carolina border and a few cute small towns. From Asheville, drive an hour to the trailhead.
You will solely must stroll about a quarter of a mile to the beautiful 90-foot waterfall. The path is easy and follows a picturesque brook. It would be an excellent place for a romantic stroll if you’re in search of one of the romantic Asheville waterfalls.
This waterfall is on privately owned land and there’s a small payment to hike right here, however the money goes into sustaining the gorgeous area. There are restrooms as nicely as benches and picnic tables to relax at surrounded by trees. In the spring, there are actually 1000’s of lovely wildflowers. Pearson’s Falls is a half of both the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area and the North Carolina Birding Trail.
Skinny Dip Falls
If you need top-of-the-line Blue Ridge Parkway waterfall hikes near Asheville, you then might be excited about Skinny Dip Falls, which is an hour from town.
The trailhead is found at the Looking Glass Rock Overlook. Park at the overlook, then stroll throughout the street to the marked trail. The straightforward route features stairs and bridges and is a little over a half mile one way.
One cool characteristic of this North Carolina waterfall is the swimming hole formed at the bottom. Bring a swimsuit since really skinny dipping would possibly get you in trouble! The water stays cool even in the summer so it goes to be nice and refreshing.
Waterfalls Over An Hour From Asheville
Courthouse Falls
The lovely Courthouse Falls is about an hour and fifteen minutes from Asheville in the Pisgah National Forest. It gets its name from the nearby Devil’s Courthouse rock formation. This slender, 45-foot waterfall cascades into a small pool the place you presumably can cool your toes after your hike. Though the hike is lower than a mile, so that you hopefully won’t be too drained.
This is an amazingly picturesque area. Make certain to charge up your digital camera batteries before coming as a result of it would be greatest to take a ton of lengthy exposure shots to capture the grace of this waterfall surrounded by lush bushes. The drive from Asheville is one hundred pc worth it!
Other waterfalls inside a couple of miles embody French Broad, Mill Shoals, and Cathedral Falls.
Rainbow Falls
Yet one other waterfall in the Pisgah National Forest is Rainbow Falls. Drive for about an hour and fifteen minutes from Asheville and hike for a mile and a half. The reasonable hike begins in Gorges State Park earlier than heading into the National Forest. You will get superb views from the primary trail in addition to aspect trails that offer completely different angles.
This is one of the most spectacular waterfalls near Asheville. At one hundred fifty ft, it’s a sight to behold. On sunny days, you will discover how this waterfall obtained its name. A gorgeous rainbow will appear in the spray and you will go loopy taking pictures.
You will hike by Hidden Falls on the means in which to Rainbow Falls and should you extend your hike, you’ll come throughout Turtleback Falls and Stairway Falls.
Tom Branch Falls
Tom Branch Falls is round an hour and fifteen minutes from Asheville on the outskirts of Great Smokey Mountains National Park near Bryson City.
To reach the falls you should hike the first .3 miles of the Deep Creek Trail. This portion of the trail is gravel and flat, so it’s easy and accessible, good for all hiking talent levels.
The 80-foot waterfall tumbles down a rock face and into Tom Branch creek. You might even see folks tubing within the water.
If you wish to proceed alongside Deep Creek Trail, it does get harder and is four.6 miles out and again. It also connects to different trails so you can pick your personal path. Other waterfalls to identify within the space embrace Indian Creek Falls and Juney Whank Falls.
Upper Whitewater Falls
Upper Whitewater Falls is the tallest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. Its impressive 811-foot height and powerful pressure will go away you breathless.
You definitely need to make the day trip from Asheville to see this natural surprise within the Nantahala National Forest. The drive from town is about an hour and twenty minutes.
From the car parking zone, you solely have to stroll a quarter-mile paved path to the higher overlook. However, if you’d like a good higher view, climb down over a hundred and fifty steps to reach the decrease overlook. Make sure to stay on the marked paths because people have died once they have ventured off in search of different views.
You have to add this spot to your list of must-visit Asheville hikes with waterfalls.
Mingo Falls
An hour and twenty minutes west of Asheville, Mingo Falls cascades down over rock and between timber. This waterfall is near the doorway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the hike to see it’s the excellent approach to start your trip to this National Park. It could be one of many additional waterfalls near Asheville, nevertheless it is likely considered one of the best!
The hike to the falls is a quarter-mile lengthy and is fairly easy, but there are 161 steps to climb. The viewing bridge offers amazing views of the speeding water. Try to time your journey to Mingo Falls after a rainfall or when there’s early morning fog to add even more magic to the scene.
Dry Falls
The last waterfall we’ll point out, though there are so much of more, is Dry Falls down near the Georgia border. The drive right here is just over an hour and a half from Asheville but is so price it. Plus you’ll be able to see lots of the other waterfalls on this record alongside the greatest way.
Dry Falls is a 75-foot waterfall inside the Nantahala National Forest. It flows over a cliff leaving room for the trail to move behind it. If you need to stay dry, you can view the falls from the remark space subsequent to the parking lot.
The trail down to the falls is short and can allow you to get up close and personal to the waterfall. If you are wanting to photograph a waterfall at a really cool angle, then Dry Falls is for you.
By now, you could have realized exactly why this slice of the country is named the “Land of the Waterfalls.” You might spend weeks in North Carolina and still not see each waterfall. There are so many wonderful waterfalls in Asheville perfect for a day trip or even a longer weekend road journey.
More suggestions in your trip to Asheville: