From the mountains to the coast, North Carolina encloses hidden treasures to enjoy in every season. You don't have to travel far to discover the wonders of North Carolina's natural waterfalls. They can be found in your own neighborhood, just minutes away, or even a short hike that will amaze you.
The best waterfalls in North Carolina that you can enjoy all year round
Enlace Latino NC Share 9 of the best waterfalls to visit in North Carolina.
- Catawba Falls east of Asheville
- Dry Falls in the Highlands
- High Falls Dupont Forest 45 minutes from Asheville
- Lassiter Mill Park in Raleigh
- Juniper Level Botanical Garden
- Olle Gilliam Mill Park near Raleigh
- Yates Mill Park
- Little River Park in Zebulon
- Perrys Pond in Zebulon
Catawba Falls
Walk the path Catawba Falls east of Asheville, through a shady, mossy forested valley to a beautiful series of waterfalls on the Catawba River.
Just east of Asheville, the river tumbles through rolling forest, tumbles over a series of waterfalls, and flows over a moss-covered riverbed located in a shady, picturesque stretch of the Pisgah National Forest.
This fantastic day hike explores waterfall after waterfall in a sun-drenched valley, traveling just over two miles through a shady forest to the wall of vibrant green moss and tendrils of water known as Catawba Falls.
Related: 5 beaches to enjoy summer in North Carolina
Dry Falls
dry falls, also known as Upper Cullasaja Falls, is a 65-foot waterfall located in the Nantahala National Forest, northwest of Highlands, North Carolina.
Plunging 65 feet into the river below, a walk to and behind Dry Falls is definitely one of the best things to do in North Carolina.
Dry Falls is a 75-foot waterfall. From the parking area, venture up the accessible walkway for a beautiful view or follow the trail that takes you right behind the waterfall.
Dry Falls experiences extremely high visitor volume during the middle of the day and holidays.
High Falls DuPont Forest NC
High Falls in DuPont State Recreational Forest is a beautiful 150-foot waterfall about a 45-minute drive from Asheville.
Walk or bike a moderate 1.2-mile round-trip trail from the High Falls Visitor Center parking area. You can also take the 2-mile High Falls Loop to see Triple Falls as well.
The photo above is the view at the base of High Falls via a spur trail signed “Base of Falls,” located while hiking toward Triple Falls.
The straight trail is about 1/3 mile. When the water level is not high, you can safely jump along the river bank to get a close-up view.
Related: Chimney Rock reopens nine months after Hurricane Helene
Lassiter Mill Park Waterfall
Lassiter Mill Park is a hidden gem of a city park in Raleigh that is located at the intersection of Lassiter Mill Rd and Lassiter Falls Circle.
Additionally, it is home to a beautiful dam through which Crabtree Creek flows.
You can see the remains of the old mill in operation on the other side of the stream. There is also a plaque with information about the mill at the water's edge.
This is a great place to bring a picnic lunch and eat in the open fields or at one of the few picnic tables.
Juniper Level Botanical Garden
The waterfall hidden in a 'secret garden'. Open only two weekends each season, the Juniper Level Botanical Garden in Raleigh offers a glimpse of rare plants from around the world in an artistically designed landscape.
Its campus is 28 acres and is filled with more than 27 thousand plants, including rare, exotic and unusual specimens.
When temperatures drop below freezing, the magical sight becomes even more enchanting: an ice waterfall.
Ole Gilliam Mill Park
The waterfall passes under the longest covered bridge in North Carolina.
Not far from Raleigh is the historic site Ole Gilliam Mill and the covered bridge. The longest covered bridge in North Carolina spans 140 feet over rushing waters.
The land's history as a mill site dates back to the 1850s, when a man called Stephen Henley built the original mill.
For decades, the mill supplied the surrounding rural community. The park features the mill, bridge, moonshine stills, and many other historic structures.
Historic Yates Mill Park
Restored and operating mill from the 1750s. The last remaining mill in Wake County, Yacht Mill, is still standing and functioning after centuries of use.
It opened in 1756 and, like Lassiter Mill, existed before Raleigh existed.
Yates Mill Historical Park has a number of hiking trails and picnic tables.
Waterfalls at Little River Park
Little River Park It's one of the oldest parks in Zebulon, and has everything from abandoned ruins to waterfalls and a beach all right next to each other.
There's a grassy field for picnicking, or you can dip your toes in the sandy beach by the water.
Perry's Pond
While you are in Zebulon visiting Little River Park, you can visit Perry's Pond. The mile-long pond is located next to a century-old mill not far from Zebulon.
The mill and pond are still owned by the Perry family and operated as a fishing and boating location. For a few dollars, visitors can fish from the shore or take their boat or canoe on a scenic ride.
Located in Franklin County, North Carolina around the 5300 block of Pearces Road, the pond has an address in Louisburg NC but is located minutes from Zebulon and Bunn NC.
A plaque embedded in stone beneath this waterfall in North Carolina explains that this landmark is one of the oldest mills in the US.
The adjacent pond makes for a great fishing getaway, just around the corner.
PODCAST
After the storm
A year ago, Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina. The Latino community responded with something stronger than the storm: solidarity.
🎧 In this episode, learn how Latino organizations transformed crisis into resilience.
▶️Press play to listen!
Republish our stories for free on your website or newspaper. We follow the Creative Commons license. Click the box and follow the instructions.
