10 Best Historic Waterfalls in North Carolina 2026

The USGS gazetteer describes it as: On Rough Run, 3.7 km (2.3 mi) E of Buck Knob and 5.6 km (3.5 mi) NW of Glenville. Name history: Named for Thurston Robert Hatcher, Jr (1924-1990), an architect who developed Cullowhee Falls, a mountain community. Visitors rate it 4.4 stars across 5 Google reviews. The nearest town is Cullowhee, about 7.5 miles to the north. The nearest other named waterfall is High Falls, about 0.3 miles to the southeast.

The USGS gazetteer describes it as: 35 ft. high; in Nantahala National Forest on Santeetlah Creek, 1.65 mi. ENE of Stratton Gap. Name history: The name refers to the old Bemis Logging Camp, located approximately 0.75 mi. upstream from the falls. The nearest town is Robbinsville, about 11 miles to the east. The nearest other named waterfall is Upper Falls, about 4.9 miles to the south.

The USGS gazetteer describes it as: approx. 20 ft. tall; located 1 mi. SE of Chalk Mountain, 0.3 mi. SW of Swiss Pine Lake. Name history: The name refers to the abundance of crystals found in the area. The nearest town is Spruce Pine, about 2.0 miles to the northeast. The nearest other named waterfall is Grassy Creek Falls, about 2.4 miles to the south.

The USGS gazetteer describes it as: 80 ft. high; in Nantahala National Forest on an unnamed tributary of Wolf Creek, 2.8 mi. W of Pinhook Gap. Name history: Named for spring plant growth around the falls. The nearest town is Cullowhee, about 12 miles to the west. The nearest other named waterfall is Upper Vernal Falls, about 0.1 miles to the northwest.

The USGS gazetteer describes it as: 25 ft. wide, 10 ft. tall, 0.85 mi. NW of Black Knob, 2.3 mi. NE of Becky Mountain. Name history: Named in association with Shady Lane. The nearest town is Brevard, about 3.5 miles to the west. The nearest other named waterfall is Glencannon Falls, about 1.3 miles to the west.

The USGS gazetteer describes it as: 35 ft. high; in Nantahala National Forest on an unnamed tributary of Wolf Creek, 2.85 mi. W of Pinhook Gap. Name history: Named for spring plant growth around the falls. The nearest town is Cullowhee, about 12 miles to the west. The nearest other named waterfall is Lower Vernal Falls, about 0.1 miles to the southeast.

The USGS gazetteer describes it as: Located at Milepost 339.5 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Older records also call it Murphy’s Falls and Crabtree Falls. Visitors rate it 4.7 stars across 7 Google reviews. The nearest town is Spruce Pine, about 8.2 miles to the northeast. The nearest other named waterfall is Murphy Falls, about 2.3 miles to the north.

The USGS gazetteer describes it as: approx location. Older records also call it Contara and Contaroga. The nearest town is Brevard, about 14 miles to the northeast. The nearest other named waterfall is Windy Falls, about 4.0 miles to the west.

The USGS gazetteer describes it as: along Colt Creek, SW of Melrose. Visitors rate it 4.4 stars across 278 Google reviews. The nearest town is Tryon, about 5.5 miles to the east. The nearest other named waterfall is Bradley Falls, about 4.4 miles to the northeast.

Older records also call it Cascade Falls. Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 194 Google reviews. The nearest town is Danbury, about 3.5 miles to the east. The nearest other named waterfall is Window Falls, about 1.1 miles to the southeast.