Waterfalls

Boone area's world-class waterfalls!

Finding and photographing waterfalls is one of the most popular ways to soak up the spectacular scenery of the North Carolina High Country. Spring is the perfect time to catch these cascades at their gushing best, while in winter, the falls are sometimes frozen for unique photo-ops.

The Boone Area is home to the East's highest mountains and a truly astounding number of places to revel in the sight and sound of cascading water. Best of all, the choices include significant cataracts reached by short, easy trails that anyone can tackle.

Check out the waterfall directory below, click on our Hiking section, or let the links at the bottom of this page take you to complete trail guides for the High Country's best waterfall walks.

Open Waterfall Trails in 2025:

- Crab Orchard Falls

- Glen Burney Trail

- Otter Falls Trail (upper Red trail closed, please follow all posted signage)

- Roadside Waterfalls, including Green Mountain Creek Falls & Silvervale Falls near Blowing Rock

Caution: Waterfalls can be extremely dangerous if you don't follow common-sense rules. Every year in the United States, people die falling from cascades in state parks, national parks, national forests, and on private land. Always stay within the designated trailside viewing area of a waterfall. Never climb on the often slippery rocks anywhere near a waterfall, especially at the top. Mossy green rocks look slippery-but even rocks that appear dry can be very slick. Parents: Please watch children and keep pets on a leash.

TRY THESE IN-DEPTH WATERFALL TRAIL GUIDES

Crabtree Falls - Regarded by many as the Southern Appalachians' prettiest, most iconic cascade.

Glen Burney Falls - Take the Glen Burney Trail from the village streets of Blowing Rock down into a cascade-filled "glen" of remarkable beauty. A perfect picnic hike.

Hebron Falls - Discover a cascading waterfall surrounded by gigantic boulders midway through a beautiful 5.5-mile Blue Ridge Parkway loop trail.

Otter Falls - Descend to scenic Otter Falls on Valley Creek on this 1.2-mile looping trail in the town of Seven Devils.

Linville Falls - The biggest waterfall on the Blue Ridge Parkway by volume of water.

The Cascades - A short walk with interpretive signs that explores forest tree species and leads to where Falls Creek leaps off the Blue Ridge. Historic cabins are part of one hike here. (Keep an eye on the Blue Ridge Parkway Road Closures page. Single-lane and full road closures are expected in this section of the roadway)