14 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Waterfalls to See in 2024

PLANNING A VISIT TO BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY WATERFALLS?

We’ve got all the details you need. We have been traveling together as a family since 2010 and had a great time exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469-mile, beautiful, non-stop recreational road managed by the National Park Service. Commonly referred to as “America’s Favorite Drive,” it runs north and south from Rockfish Gap, VA, to Cherokee, NC.

There are no entrance fees, and most of the activities are free. Looking back at this stop, as well as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, we can’t believe how beautiful this area is.

We loved exploring the hiking trails and the Blue Ridge Parkway waterfalls. We’re happy to share this comprehensive guide to help you best enjoy your time seeing the waterfalls along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Blue Ridge Parkway Waterfalls

1. Skinny Dip Falls

• Length: 0.9 miles
• Elevation Gain: 187 feet
• Route Type: Out & Back
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Hiking Time: 30 minutes to 1 hour

This is a fun swimming hole and waterfall that your entire family will enjoy. There is a small decline on the trail into Skinny Dip Falls, leading to a modest incline on the way back to the trailhead. Our four-year-old twins hiked out, needing only a few breaks along the way.

There were quite a few people at the swimming hole during our visit. If you visit earlier in the day, you can avoid the crowds. Rowen and Raven enjoyed finding rocks in the river and exploring the stream. The rocks can be fun to climb on, but make sure you are careful because they are slippery.

2. Sliding Rock

• Length: 0.1 miles
• Elevation Gain: 0 feet
• Route Type: Out & Back
• Difficulty: Easy
• Hiking Time: Less than 5 min

Sliding Rock is a natural water slide in Pisgah National Forest. It is a 60-foot flat sloping boulder that leads into an eight-foot-deep pool. The water is a chilly 50-60 degrees making it the perfect stop on a hot summer day. Even if you don’t want to get wet, there are plenty of areas on rocks and observation decks to watch.

The natural waterfall is an amazing natural waterslide. You can slide year-round during daylight hours, but from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, lifeguards and restrooms are available from 9 am to 8 pm.

After Labor Day weekend, the area is staffed on the weekends until October 31. Sliding Rock is the busiest from noon- 4 pm. Visiting outside these hours means you won’t have to wait in line as long between each slide. When lifeguards are on duty, there is a daily fee of $4 per person.

You don’t have to hike to get to this area, so it is a very easy and fun place to explore. We enjoyed sliding down multiple times. You should keep in mind that the rock formation is not perfectly flat; there are some bumps you will hit as you slide down, so be careful.

3. Moore Cove Falls

• Length: 1.2 miles
• Elevation Gain – 154 feet
• Route Type: Out & Back
• Difficulty: Easy
• Hiking Time: 1 to 2 hours

Moore Cove Falls is an easy hike the entire family will enjoy. It is a beautiful trail that is flat for the most part and wide enough that the kids can enjoy exploring the forest. It was one of our favorite waterfalls on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The falls are about 50 feet high and pour over a rock overhang. There isn’t a lot of water that pours over compared to some of the other falls in the area, but it is still worth a visit.

The bottom of the waterfall is muddy, but if you don’t mind the mud, it is a fun waterfall to play in and explore. Our kids loved this waterfall.

4. Looking Glass Falls

• Length: 0.1 miles
• Elevation Gain: 0 feet
• Route Type: Out & Back
• Difficulty: Easy
• Hiking Time: Less than 5 min

Looking Glass Falls is one of the easiest waterfalls to see in North Carolina. It is just on the side of the road. There are steps leading to the bottom of the falls if you want a closer look. The waterfall is 60 feet tall.

Looking Glass Falls is a perfect quick stop when driving Blue Ridge Parkway.

If you have more time, we recommend continuing your drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. You will find more stunning waterfalls, amazing views, and great hiking trails in the area.

5. Overall Run Falls

• Length: 5.1 Miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,291 Feet
• Route: Out and Back
• Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
• Hiking Time: 3 to 5 hours

Overall Run Falls is a peaceful area that is minimally visited because the falls does not always have water, but this is the highest waterfall on the Blue Ridge Parkway at 93 feet. The best time to see the water flow over the waterfall is after there has been heavy rains.

The trailhead starts at the Mathews Arm Campground registration and parking area. There are multiple trails in the area, so you need to make sure you know where you are going, or you could easily end up on the wrong trail.

You want to stay on Mathews Arm Trail to where it intersects with Tuscarora-Overall Run Trail. You will go to the left. After a short walk, you will be able to see the upper falls. You can then continue for another short distance, and you will see the largest waterfall in the Shenandoah National Park.

One important tip is if the campground is not open, you can stop at mile 21 on the Appalachian Trail and head over to the Tuscarora-Overall Run Trail, but this will make your hike 1 mile more. For a more detailed overview and a map, check out the National Park Website on Overall Run Falls.

6. Whiteoak Canyon Falls (Upper and Lower Falls)

• Length: 2.0 Miles (Lower) and 4.6 Miles (Upper)
• Elevation Gain: 500 Feet
• Route: Out and Back
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Hiking Time: 1 to 2 Hours (Lower) and 3 to 4 Hours (Upper)

The Whiteoak Canyon Falls has an upper and lower falls section. The lower falls is a pretty easy hike that is only a couple of miles and a reasonable amount of elevation gain. If you want to visit the upper falls, it will take you about twice as long to reach than the lower falls.

You will start both hikes at the Whiteoak Canyon parking lot. If you are going to the lower falls, you will begin the Whiteoak Trail, and when you get to the intersection with Cedar Run Trail, you will stay to your right.

For the upper falls, you will take the same trail but will pass the Old Rag Fire Road and Limberlost Trail, and about 2.5 miles later, you will arrive at the viewpoint for the upper falls.

You can check out a convenient national park map here.

7. Rose River Falls

• Length: 4.0 Miles
• Elevation Grain: 900 Feet
• Route: Loop
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Hiking Time: 4 to 5 Hours

The Rose River Falls is a popular falls to hike, so there is a good chance you will see other people on this trail. On this trail and the majority of other falls, you can have a pet as long as the pet is on a leash that is no longer than 6 feet long.

This is a beautiful trail and a beautiful waterfall that is almost 70 feet tall. This is a fantastic falls to visit when it is hot out because there is a nice area to swim. The distance to the waterfall will vary depending on the direction you go on the loop. If you start the loop to the left, the waterfall is only 1.3 miles away.

If you go to the right, the waterfall is a little over 2.5 miles away. Some people like to take the longer hike first because after you play at the waterfall, your short distance is at the end.

However, if you just want to see the falls and do less hiking, you can hike the short way twice and make the loop an out-and-back trail making your total hike only 2.6 miles long instead of the 4ish miles.

8. Dark Hollow Falls

• Length: 1.6 miles
• Elevation Gain: 583 feet
• Route: Out and Back
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Hiking Time: 1 to 2 hours

The Dark Hollow Falls Trail is a trail that is popular along the Blue Ridge Parkway for seeing waterfalls, hiking, and walking. However, this is one of the trails that does not allow animals, so make sure you leave them at home if you plan on visiting this waterfall. This is one of the most visited falls in the park because of its beauty.

The hike in and out is not super easy, so make sure you take your time. There are some steep and rocky sections. On the way in, you will have a steep rocky descent. This makes the way out somewhat challenging.

If the trail is wet, then it can be slippery, and you may need to go slower than you might normally.

9. Lewis Falls

• Length: 3.3 Miles
• Elevation Gain: 1000 Feet
• Route: Loop
• Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
• Hiking Time: 2 to 5 Hours

Lewis Falls is not the tallest falls in the Shenandoah National Park, but it is pretty close. The falls is 81 feet tall. Outside of the winter months, this trail boasts lots of beautiful foliage and trees. The falls are close to multiple other areas that you might visit, so this could be a fun trail.

It is close to the Harry F Byrd Sr. Visitor Center, camping, gas stations, restaurant, and Big Meadows Lodge. The hiking time to the falls can vary significantly depending on who is with you and your hiking ability. The incline over 3 miles can slow people down significantly.

The trail starts at the Big Meadows Amphitheater, and the free parking is a good size being able to fit more than 24 cars at a time. Make sure when hiking these falls you keep your eyes open for wildlife. You may spot deer, bears, and other animals.

10. South River Falls

• Length: 4.0 Miles
• Elevation Gain: 1000 Feet
• Route: Loop
• Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
• Hiking Time: 2 to 4 Hours

South River Falls has lots of good ratings from people who enjoy this trail. There is nothing that is super steep, but the elevation does increase when you are about 2 miles from the falls with a steady incline. The trail can be super muddy and slippery if there has been rain, so make sure you are prepared with some walking sticks or go a little slower.

If you take this trail in the winter at a time when it has not been frequented heavily, there can be downed trees that you will need to scramble over. This can make the trek a bit more challenging, so just be prepared.

The waterfall also slows significantly if you are visiting in the late fall or winter months. If you can make it to the base of the falls, it is pretty sweet.

11. Roaring Fork Falls

• Length: 1.4 Miles
• Elevation Gain: 150 Feet
• Route: Out and Back
• Difficulty: Easy
• Hiking Time: 30 Min to 1 Hour

The hike to Roaring Fork Falls is a nice and easy out-and-back waterfall trail that will probably only take around 30 minutes to complete. There is nothing that makes this trail overly challenging. Because the trail is a little easier you may find people running, hiking, or bird watching.

The trail is open all year long, and dogs are welcome. Just make sure you have them on a leash. The majority of the trail used to be an old logging road.

Once you are off the logging road, the falls are a short distance away. If there has been recent rain, the falls are pretty awesome to view. It is also a great easy family hike.

12. Crabtree Falls Trail

• Length: 2.6 Miles or 3 Miles
• Elevation Gain: 550 Feet
• Route: Out and Back or Loop
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Hiking Time: 2 Hours

This is a fun hike that gives you multiple hiking options. You can hike the trail as an out-and-back trail or a little more difficult loop trail. The trail to Crabtree Falls is located at Milepost 339.5 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, just a little ways away from Ashville.

The loop trail will climb up the ridge of the falls and is which makes it a more difficult option. The hike is not an overly strenuous hike, but it is a great opportunity to visit a fabulous and possibly the most popular waterfall in the area.

The Crabtree Falls Area has more than just a sweet waterfall. There is a picnic area with picnic tables and a campground that you can stay at. The name comes from the abundance of crabapple trees that used to be in the area. There are still crabapple trees around, but not as many as there used to be.

The falls can be super awesome if you visit at the right time of year or after some rain. If you visit the falls when the area is drier, there will be much less water flowing over the falls. Dogs are allowed on the trail.

Just a heads up, this falls is located in an area that can have seasonal road closures. These closures can be weather-related, maintenance projects, or other emergencies. You may want to double-check that the area is not closed. Check the NPS website for closures.

13. Graveyard Fields Falls

• Length: 3 Miles
• Elevation Gain: 300 Feet
• Route: Loop
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Hiking Time: 1 to 2 Hours

The Graveyard Fields Falls is another popular hiking trail that is south of Ashville. The trail got its name from when a bunch of trees blew over in a wind storm and later looked like there were headstones in a graveyard left over. The trees were later burned, and still, today, the area does not have the abundance of trees as some of the other trails.

There are two waterfalls along this trail, and you can check out both or just one, depending on how long you want to hike or the time you have for visiting. The first waterfall is less than 0.5 miles down the trail.

If you continue, you will arrive at the second falls, or what some people call the upper section. The second waterfall is about 3 miles round trip.

Once you get close to the upper falls, the trail will split, and you can see the waterfall from two different vantage points. The trail to the left is probably the better view, but they are both cool, so you may try to go to both spots.

GPS to these falls can be off sometimes, so make sure you pay attention. The trail is at milepost 418.8 and is just 10 miles from Mt Pisgah. Keep in mind that this is also along the area of the parkway that can close during the winter. Dogs are allowed on the trail.

14. Bridal Veil Falls

• Length: 4.5 Miles
• Elevation Gain: 587 feet
• Route: Loop
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Hiking Time: 2 to 3 hours

This is a popular falls and is also a popular area where people hike, mountain bike, and ride horseback. You will probably see other people on the trail. You can take your dog, but they are required to be leashed. The falls are in the DuPont State Forest, and the area is very beautiful.

Bridal Veil Falls is huge at about 120 feet tall. The base of the waterfall is a great place to relax and have a picnic after a little longer hike. The hike is longer, but the elevation gain is not too aggressive. The trail is also a well-cared-for trail, with a lot of the hike being on a small gravel road.

If you really want to be adventurous, you can prepare for an even longer hike that will take you to a few more waterfalls in the area. If you decide to hike the extra waterfalls, your hike will be closer to 7 miles. The DuPont State Forest has many waterfalls that are fun to visit.

Blue Ridge Parkway Waterfalls Map

Other Fun Hikes on the Blue Ridge Parkway 

Mount Pisgah

• Length: 4.5 Miles
• Elevation Gain: 1000 Feet
• Route: Out and Back
• Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
• Hiking Time: 2 to 4 Hours

There is a variety of different activities and services at Mount Pisgah. The views are beautiful, and there are hiking, picnic areas, a campground, a lodge, and a restaurant. The Mount Pisgah Restaurant is one of the few restaurants in the area.

The hike to the top of the mountain is 4.5 miles round-trip with 1000 feet in elevation gain. We hiked a portion of the trail to check out the area but didn’t end up making it to the top with the kiddos. The trail starts out pretty flat for about the first 0.8 miles. After that, the trail veers to the left and becomes more narrow and steep.

Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower 

• Length: 1.5 Miles
• Elevation Gain: 347 Feet
• Route Type: Out & Back
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Hiking Time: 1 Hour

Fryingpan Mountain’s fire tower is 70 feet tall and is the tallest fire tower in North Carolina. We love climbing the fire lookouts because of the amazing views. If you want to see amazing views, but you don’t want the long hike that Mount Pisgah requires, this is an arguably equal view but a much shorter hike.

This short hike is perfect for families. Our four-year-olds walked the whole way and climbed the tower. From the top, you can see the entire Balsam Mountains range as well as Cold Mountain, Looking Glass Rock, and Mount Pisgah, with Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the distance.

The hiking trail to the tower is flat with a gradual uphill grade. It is wide with lots of places to let the kids explore.

Black Balsam Knob via the Art Loeb Trail

• Length: 1.5 Miles
• Elevation Gain: 347 Feet
• Route Type: Out & Back
• Difficulty: Easy
• Hiking Time: 1 Hour

The Black Balsam Knob vis the Art Loeb Trail featured great 360 degrees views with lots of grass vegetation along the hike. This is a trail that many of the locals enjoy. It is not too hard and features some great views. It can be a nice easy walk for those looking for a mile hike or two.

You will park your car along the Black Balsam Knob Road, which is just under one mile off the Blue Ridge Parkway. This trail is popular because of the great views and not being overly difficult. there are many people who love this trail, and it is certainly one to try.

Lookouts on the Blue Ridge Parkway Near Asheville

There are a bunch of overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We stopped and explored the Funnel Top Overlook. The views are stunning as you drive, so be sure to leave some time for the overlooks. Often times these overlooks will have connecting trails or other points of interest, so don’t be afraid to do some exploring.

Here is a list of some of the best overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville listed by mile marker:

• 361.2 – Glassmine Falls (elev. 5200)
• 409.3 – Funnel Top Overview (elev. 4925)
• 411.8 – Wagon Road Gap (elev. 4535)
• 412.5 – Pigeon Gap (elev. 4520)
• 417.0 – Looking Glass Rock (elev. 4492)
• 422.4 – Devil’s Courthouse (elev. 5462)

You really can’t go wrong with any of the viewpoints. Enjoy the beautiful drive along the North Carolina Blue Ridge Parkway.

FAQ: Blue Ridge Parkway Waterfalls  

How many waterfalls does the Blue Ridge Parkway have?

There are 65 waterfalls along the entire Blue Ridge Parkway. It starts at mile 0 and ends at milepost 469. There are so many fun things to explore in this area, along with the waterfalls. If you want more information about the waterfalls, check out the book Great Waterfalls of North Carolina.

▶ SHOP Great Waterfalls of North Carolina

What is the prettiest part of the Blue Ridge Parkway?

The prettiest part of the Blue Ridge Parkway can be different for everyone. We thought the section of the parkway that runs through Pisgah National Forest was the most beautiful mountain scenery, but it is almost wrong to say that because the Parkway has so many pretty areas.

Where is the biggest waterfall in North Carolina? 

Whitewater Falls is the biggest waterfall in North Carolina, falling a total of 811 feet. The falls are not too far from Ashville and are also considered the most beautiful waterfall in North Carolina.

Conclusion: Blue Ridge Parkway Waterfalls  

The waterfalls on the Blue Ridge Parkway in VA and the Blue Ridge Parkway Waterfalls in NC are beautiful waterfalls. We love visiting and being able to explore the waterfalls off of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

We hope you are able to visit these beautiful falls. Not only are the waterfalls along the Blue Ridge Parkway beautiful, but the Blue Ridge Parkway hikes, in general, are beautiful. Enjoy your time exploring the numerous waterfalls and hiking.