10 Hidden North Carolina Waterfalls That Make The Perfect Weekend Hike
North Carolina’s mountains hide some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the eastern United States, many tucked away from the usual tourist trails. These natural wonders offer peaceful retreats where you can escape the crowds and reconnect with nature.
So grab your hiking boots and water bottle as we explore these hidden places that reward adventurous spirits with unforgettable cascades and refreshing swimming holes.
1. Secret Falls: The Family-Friendly Treasure
Local swimmers have treasured this 50-foot cascade near Highlands for generations, though it remains unmarked on most maps. Finding it requires navigating an unsigned gravel road off Walking Stick Road, adding to its mystique.
The gentle one-mile round-trip hike makes this spot perfect for families with young explorers.
When summer heat peaks, nothing beats plunging into the crystal-clear pool at the base – just watch those slippery rocks that have claimed many a cell phone!
2. Rufus Morgan Falls: The Winter Wanderer’s Reward
Named after a legendary local naturalist who hiked these mountains well into his 90s, Rufus Morgan Falls delivers natural splendor with minimal effort.
The moderate one-mile loop west of Franklin leads to a graceful 60-foot cascade tumbling down moss-covered rock faces. I stumbled upon this gem last February when the seasonal gate was open, a rare winter treat!
Time your visit carefully, as Forest Road 388 closes annually from December 31 through April 1, making this beauty even more exclusive.
3. Dill Falls Duo: Two-for-One Forest Treasures
Hidden off NC 215 in Nantahala National Forest, this waterfall combo offers maximum reward for minimal effort. A short half-mile walk leads to both Upper and Lower Dill Falls, each with its own distinct personality.
The upper falls drops in a perfect rectangular curtain, while the lower falls spreads wide across stair-stepping rocks.
Pack a lunch and claim one of the flat boulders between the two for a picnic soundtrack you won’t forget – though check ahead in winter, as forest roads here often close with seasonal gates.
4. Courthouse Falls: The Secluded Swimming Hole
Courthouse Falls plunges dramatically into one of the clearest, deepest pools in western North Carolina.
With Forest Road 140 (Courthouse Creek Road) currently closed due to Hurricane Helene damage, you’ll need the longer Summey Cove approach to reach this paradise. The more adventurous can tackle the 5.4-mile Summey Cove route when gates close.
My cousin swears the water here stays icy even in August – he lost his class ring to these depths back in ’98, so perhaps consider leaving valuables behind before taking the inevitable plunge!
5. Big Laurel Falls: Standing Indian’s Secret
The Standing Indian Basin harbors this understated beauty, accessible via a gentle 1.2-mile round-trip hike that’s perfect for novice waterfall hunters. Look for Trail 29 off Forest Road 67, one of the few properly marked waterfall trails in the area.
The cascade slides down smooth rock faces before gathering in a series of shallow pools.
Visit after spring rains when mountain laurel blooms frame the falls in pink and white, creating a scene worthy of any landscape painting.
6. Schoolhouse Falls: Panthertown’s Classroom
Panthertown Valley earned its nickname as the “Yosemite of the East” partly because of gems like Schoolhouse Falls.
The moderate 2.5-mile round-trip from Cold Mountain Gap requires navigational skills – many hikers get turned around in this confusing valley.
Bring a paper map; your phone won’t help much here. I once spent three hours helping a lost family find their way back after they wandered off-trail chasing what they thought was a bear, but turned out to be someone’s black lab!
7. Wildcat Falls: The High-Elevation Wonder
Perched above 5,000 feet near the Blue Ridge Parkway, Wildcat Falls delivers alpine charm without alpine effort. Following an old railroad grade for about 1.5 miles round-trip, the path remains relatively flat despite the lofty elevation.
The 50-foot cascade performs best after rain, when water volume transforms it from pleasant to phenomenal.
Bring your camera in autumn when surrounding maples turn fiery red, creating a color contrast that makes photographers weak in the knees.
8. Upper Creek Falls: Jonas Ridge’s Swimming Paradise
Upper Creek Falls offers the perfect combination of adventure and accessibility along a 1.6-mile loop trail. The moderate path features several challenging sections with 500 feet of elevation gain, keeping casual tourists at bay.
The waterfall rewards hikers with multiple personalities: bedrock slides perfect for natural water rides, deep pools for swimming, and a dramatic main drop.
Those yellow warning signs about cliff edges? They’re not kidding – stay on marked trails and resist the urge to climb slippery rocks for that “perfect” Instagram shot.
9. Hunt-Fish Falls: The Remote Gorge Gem
Wilson Creek’s Wild & Scenic River designation protects treasures like Hunt-Fish Falls, where a moderate 0.75-mile descent from Forest Road 464 leads to broad, photogenic cascades. The finale features a steep scramble that keeps crowds minimal.
Sunlight filters through the dense forest canopy, creating spotlight effects on the rock slabs where water spreads into natural infinity pools.
The remote setting means you’ll often have this masterpiece entirely to yourself – I’ve spent whole afternoons here without seeing another soul.
10. Twin Falls: Double Delight in One Amphitheater
Nature rarely arranges waterfalls side by side, which makes Twin Falls in the Avery Creek area such a special find. The moderate four-mile round-trip via Buckhorn Gap delivers a unique payoff: two distinct waterfalls sharing one rocky amphitheater.
One falls drops straight down while its neighbor slides at an angle, creating a synchronized water ballet.
The half-day loop passes through diverse forest types, making this perfect for hikers who enjoy the journey as much as the destination.