From famous movie filming locations to the gorgeous Blue Ridge Parkway and surprise rainbows, lace up those boots to hike the best waterfalls near Asheville, including DuPont State Forest, Catawba Falls, and Graveyard Fields. As AVL locals, these are the hikes Tom and I frequent to relax, picnic, and exercise in the great outdoors. All are under 1.5 hours away from AVL and open post-Helene. We are sharing insider tips, what to expect, and what to do afterward.
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Nicknamed the “Land of Waterfalls,” Transylvania County is home to 250+ waterfalls across Western North Carolina, especially around Brevard. As avid hikers, this is just a sampling for easy and fun Asheville day trips. Afterward, plan more time in the great outdoors with our favorite local Asheville hiking trails.
Please know—you’ll quickly see—that I am not a professional waterfall photographer. Put those thumbs away. 📸 All photos are our own. 💙 Christine of Uncorked Asheville
Get Started Here: Our Asheville Waterfall Cheat Sheet
Here is a quick breakdown of the waterfalls mentioned in this article to help you better plan:
- đź’¦ DuPont State Forest (50 minutes away): 3-Waterfalls Hike | 3 miles | picnic areas and restrooms
- đź’¦ Catawba Falls (30 minutes away): 2.2 or 3.2 miles | popular on weekends | parking may fill up
- 💦 Graveyard Fields Waterfalls (1 hour away): 3.3 miles | most popular fall foliage hike 🍂
- đź’¦ Moore Cove Falls (50 minutes): 1.4 miles | nearby Looking Glass Falls (walk/drive-up waterfall) and Sliding Rock
- đź’¦ Daniel Ridge Falls (1 hour): 1 or 4 miles | popular mountain biking area | little cell service
- đź’¦ Rainbow Falls (1 hour and 20 minutes): 3 miles | 2nd furthest on this list | enjoy Gorges State Park
- đź’¦ Linville Falls (1 hour and 10 minutes): variety of trails | Visitor Center with facilities
- đź’¦ Mingo Falls (1.5 hours): 1 mile | 160+ stairs | great stop on your way into Great Smoky Mountains National Park
✨ Before you go: Always check with National Park Service (NPS) for Blue Ridge Parkway closures here. ✨
Plan Your Magical Adventure: Our Free Asheville Guide + Bucket List
Best Waterfalls Near Asheville For Hiking (Full Guide)
If a waterfall hike caught your attention above, keep reading for our insider information, including what to expect and where to go next.
DuPont State Forest (3-Waterfalls Hike)
While DuPont State Forest is full of hiking and biking trails, this particular waterfall hike navigates visitors around Hooker Falls, which is 12 feet with wading areas, Triple Falls (3 tiers, 120 feet), and High Falls (150 feet).
DuPont State Forest’s Three Waterfalls Hike is one of the most memorable and fulfilling Asheville attractions for its beauty. Tom and I take our guests here for the “wow” factor and visit frequently for picnics. We just love it. AND, this hike was part of our 2-day Asheville itinerary that got us to move here.
Notably, Triple Falls is famous as a filming location for The Hunger Games. If you have time, add on Bridal Veil Falls (4 miles round trip), which is a filming location for The Last of the Mohicans. While a relatively flat and boring hike, it has a great end reward.
✨ What to do next: We always drive to Hendersonville for lunch, wine tasting, free museums, and local craft beer.
Take A Tour
đź’¦ If you are visiting for a short time, nervous to hike in a new place, and/or prefer guided tours, consider one of these experiences: Blue Ridge Parkway & Waterfall Hiking Tour From Asheville or Waterfall Jeep Tour.
Catawba Falls
One of the prettiest waterfalls near Asheville, and located in the Pisgah National Forest, Catawba Falls is popular for its moss, lichen, and cascading falls. Cross scenic bridges, relax on boulders in calmer areas, and enjoy a relaxing hike with the family.
It’s still a workout and one of my favorites for its beauty and bubbly runoffs. Plus, they reopened the falls after adding a massive new staircase to improve accessibility, safety, and preservation. Cross the staircase to make the trail a longer loop.
✨ What to do next: Explore Old Fort, including lunch and beer at Hillman Beer, shopping for local art, and getting a coffee at Seeker. For outdoor adventurers, this area is also known for its newer mountain biking trails, such as the Gateway Trails, Kitsuma, and Point Lookout. Stop in gorgeous Black Mountain on the way back to Asheville.
🥾 Hike Catawba Falls With Tom and I 💦
Tom and I were stoked when Catawba Falls reopened (2024) to help better protect Mother Nature and hikers. Take a peek at the out-and-back trail with us.
Graveyard Fields Waterfalls
For fall foliage hikes from September to October, Black Balsam and Graveyard Fields are absolute musts, and truly the stuff Asheville fall bucket lists are made of. We even have a guide for when to see peak fall colors, and the vibrant foliage is comparable to gorgeous New England autumn.
Graveyard Fields boasts two popular waterfalls, with the lower falls being a quick and great stop for families. For adventurous hikers, Upper Falls promises a steep and slippery side trail up the 40-foot waterfall.
With little signage, be forewarned that this area is extremely easy to get lost in. Tom and I have gotten a little off-trail accidentally, and so have our friends. I have a love-dislike relationship with the trail.
More To Love Around The Blue Ridge Parkway
Discover even more of our favorite BRP hikes close to Asheville. You might also enjoy our full Mount Pisgah itinerary with Skinny Dip Falls and the “Dragon Tree.” Skinny Dip Falls is a different landscape since Fred’s flooding, but still worth a visit—Tom and I still go.
Moore Cove Falls
One of the most family-friendly waterfall hikes near Asheville, Moore Cove Falls is one of my favorites because it is a well-maintained trail with the chance of glimpsing a rainbow in the mist.
It is also one of the few waterfalls visitors are allowed to walk under.
‼️ However, do not attempt to climb the falls, as there have been fatalities. Get here early and hike on a weekday to avoid crowds and limited parking issues.
đź’¦ Drive-Up Waterfalls Near Brevard
Moore Cove Falls is minutes away from Sliding Rock. Slide down a beautiful 60-foot sloping boulder/waterfall. This is a great family-friendly activity, perfect in the summer with a bathing suit.
Also nearby, Looking Glass Falls is a breathtaking 75-foot waterfall that visitors drive and walk up to. You might get soaked on the stairs down after heavy rain, and the falls get their name from freezing in the winter.
Daniel Ridge Falls (Also known as: Tom’s Spring Branch Falls)
Daniel Ridge Loop is one of the more hidden gem waterfalls near Asheville in the Pisgah Forest, especially for skilled mountain bikers and locals. I enjoy the loop portion of the trail for its babbling creeks and scenery. You could hike for hours without seeing anyone.
However, if you are not adequately prepared for a 4-mile loop, take the shorter trail straight to the falls. It’s much easier, too.
‼️ Tom and I have gotten lost on this trail when fall leaves covered markers and other hikers marked the trail themselves. It was a tad terrifying, wtf, and now we hike with double the maps and supplies because of it.
Because the Blue Ridge Parkway often closes for weather, Daniel Ridge makes for a great winter hike in the Asheville/Brevard area. With little cellular service, be sure to have offline maps.
Rainbow Falls
Although one of the longest drives on this list—also making it one of our less frequented Asheville area waterfalls—Rainbow Falls is worth the trek for its multiple waterfalls and namesake: a rainbow. On our very first hike here, we caught that gorgeous gem.
đź’¦ More to see: Along the Rainbow Falls hike, see if you can find Hidden Falls and Turtleback Falls.
‼️ Exert extreme caution, though, as this is another area known for pet and human fatalities. It is strongly advised that you no longer slide and swim here. And keep your eyes on your GPS, as there are multiple “Rainbow Falls.”
Gorges State Park is full of biodiversity perfect for hiking, biking, fishing, and horseback riding. Tom and I need to explore all of this area much more.
Linville Falls
One of the most photographed waterfalls near Asheville, Linville Falls is known as the “Grand Canyon of the Southern Appalachians.” It’s not hard to see why, especially with that Gorge.
Past the Visitor Center, select from numerous trails, including Erwin’s View Trail and Linville Gorge. There are at least four overlooks, filled with wildlife and wildflowers across the seasons.
Just know that climbing on the rocks and swimming are prohibited here. There is also a campground and picnic area.
✨ What to do next: Afterward, head to Linville Falls Winery. This is also a great stop on your way to or from Banner Elk, NC, another one of our favorite nearby mountain towns.
Mingo Falls
Mingo Falls is the Stairmaster of waterfalls. We counted 160 steps.
At 120 feet tall, this is one of my favorite waterfalls in Cherokee, right before one entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
✨ What to do next: While Mingo Falls is not much of a “hike,” head into the Smokies afterward to start exploring the best of Mother Nature. The nearby Oconaluftee Visitor Center showcases traditional Appalachian life and has facilities. We’ve stopped here to explore, hike the flat Oconaluftee Trail, and see elk, which kind of look like camels to me.
✨ Even more: While in the area, consider an afternoon in Maggie Valley, drinking beer by the creek, shopping, and touring the motorcycle museum. Maggie Valley is famous for its twin waterfall, Soco Falls.
đź’¦ Be sure to let us know your favorite waterfalls around the Asheville area in the comments.
Hi Christine,
Your information has been a blessing for me in planning our up coming trip. We are staying in Saluda. I wanted to ask you if you had a suggestion about the best way to see Looking Glass, Moore Cove, Sliding Rock, and Skinny Dip? Like first you go to this fall then from there you can easily get to the next fall and so on. Since we have never been and just looking on a map I’m looking to not have to back track as much as possible.
Thank you for your time.
Hi Tyra, Coming from AVL, I’d probably go: Looking Glass to Moore Cove to Sliding Rock and then dip over to Skinny Dip (the first three are all in a line; Skinny Dip runs a bit of a horseshoe turn & then parallel. Or, start with Skinny Dip and then tackle the other three.
@Christine,
Thank you so very much! I really appreciate your response.
Some of these are absolutely beautiful. Some look like sewage runoff (like Biltmore picture). This page was helpful. Thanks!
I won’t disagree with you there… we *may* have had the same thoughts. Haha. The pond nearby is pretty.
Toxaway Falls is gorgeous on Hwy. 64 W going towards Cashiers
Thanks for the recommendation!
I’m headed that way with my wife and a few other couples this Fall. I’m looking forward to the Hunger Games fall and a couple further away. I’ll let you know which ones are everyone’s favorites when we get back! Take care and thank you for the info!
The fall is absolutely beautiful here. You guys will love it. I hope you have a wonderful trip! Thank you so much.
I adore these pictures, wow. They remind me of Mt. Hermon, the place my family goes to during November, but with waaayyyy more waterfalls than just the one :’) These hikes look g l o r i o u s. I would probably have to stop so many times to take a picture, write something about what’s in front of me, and/or just drink it all in for a couple of moments. You’re so lucky that this is essentially your backyard!
Aw, thank you Macey! I really need to learn how to take a *professional* waterfall picture with the correct settings. One day! These Asheville waterfall hikes are just what I need right now during this pandemic — and they are a great way to stay socially distanced, too. It’s been a LONG year. We feel very lucky to have so much nature around us. Hiking is the absolute best here. I hope you have a wonderful week and are enjoying the summer. I’ll have to look up Mt. Hermon!