North Carolina Waterfall Road Trip

North Carolina has so many beautiful areas containing waterfalls, we’ve yet to visit them all! Here we’ve put together several that we think you shouldn’t miss. Most of these waterfalls are easy trails that are family friendly. The first three waterfalls in our road trip are located in the Dupont State Forest. The next four waterfalls are located in the Pisgah National Forest. The fifth waterfall is in Nantahala National Forest. The remaining two waterfalls are located right down the road from each other in the Cherokee National Forest.

Hooker Falls

Although Hooker Falls is short in height, only 14 feet,  it is breathtaking to view. The easy hike is less than a mile round trip and is along a gravel road. The waterfall was seen in the movie The Last of the Mohicans when the characters go over the falls in canoes.

Triple Falls

Triple Falls is a moderate one mile hike to view the 120-foot tall waterfall from the Hooker Falls parking area. There are several different viewing areas for this waterfall. You can view the waterfall in sections and as a whole. Like the name says there are three different waterfalls that make up this one waterfall.

High Falls

The High Falls trail is a moderate 2.2 mile round trip hike in the Dupont State Forest. You can access Triple Falls and High Falls from the same trail.

Cedar Rock Falls

The hike to Cedar Rock Falls is less than a mile. Many classify this hike as an easy hike. I would classify it a a moderate simply because you do venture off the main trail into a section that isn’t maintained and sometimes have to scramble over trees in the trail and down some rocks to reach the base of the waterfall. This is not the easiest waterfall to find, however it is worth the effort. It is only 20 feet tall, but what it lacks in height, it makes up for in beauty.

Moore Cove Falls

Moore Cove Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in Brevard. This waterfall is an easy one to hike and is family friendly. It’s fairly short – only 1.5 miles round trip. There are refurbished foot bridges crossing Moore Creek several times and a nice viewing platform to make this trail easily accessible for all ages and levels of hiking experience. This is a low flow waterfall that is best viewed after a good rain or during the wet season.

Slick Rock Falls

Slick Rock Falls is named for the slick rocks at the top and bottom of the falls. The hike to Slick Rock Falls is short – only about 100 yards from the parking area. You do need to climb a few stairs to reach the waterfall. The rocks can be very slick so watch your step when walking close to the waterfall. This is also a low flow waterfall that is best viewed after a good rain.

Looking Glass Falls

Looking Glass Falls is a popular 60 foot waterfall located in the Pisgah National Forest near Brevard, North Carolina. It is family friendly and wheelchair accessible. There is a roadside platform overlooking Looking Glass Falls.

Dry Falls

Dry Falls is my favorite waterfall that you can walk behind. Dry Falls is 75 feet in height and is on the Cullasaja River flowing through the beautiful Nantahala National Forest. The hike distance is 0.2 miles to the waterfall. The trail to Dry Falls is paved and goes right up to, behind and around the waterfall to the other side.

Please note: the bridge to access Bald River Falls is currently closed for renovation. It is scheduled to reopen at the middle/end of May 2025. All waterfalls after this point are also currently not able to be viewed as they are off of the same road.

Bald River Falls

This beautiful 90 foot waterfall is roadside. Bald River Falls is located in the Tellico Plains region of the Cherokee National Forest. The falls are easily visible from a bridge across the river. There is also a short, easy trail at the end of the parking lot that will take you to the top of Bald River Falls.

Baby Falls

Baby Falls is just down the road from Bald River Falls. It may be small, but it’s still very pretty.