Waterfalls Near Charlotte, NC
These 11 waterfalls are less than a three-hour drive from Charlotte, offering spectacular drops, unique overlook points, and chances for swimming and sunbathing away from urban crowds.
Living in or near Charlotte, you might not realize how many breathtaking waterfalls are just a few hours away. But once I started exploring western North Carolina, I quickly learned that you don’t have to go far to feel far away.
From roadside stunners to misty hikes in Pisgah National Forest, these falls don’t just reward, they revive. I found myself pulling off winding roads, lacing up boots still wet from the last trail, and thinking, “I didn’t know how much I needed this until I was already here.”
If you’ve got a weekend, or even just a free morning, there’s a waterfall waiting to slow you down.
Unique Waterfalls Near Charlotte, NC
Looking Glass Falls - 2 hours from Charlotte
Looking Glass Falls was the first one I visited near Charlotte that made me say “wow” out loud before I even got out of the car. It’s right off the highway in Pisgah National Forest, and the first glimpse is pure postcard, water pouring over a 60-foot cliff, framed by mountain laurel and mist.
I walked down the short path to the base and felt the spray hit my face. There were families skipping rocks, couples sitting on boulders, and a little kid trying to fill a water bottle from mid-air. I stood in the cool breeze and thought, “If beauty were easy, it would look like this.”
Afterwards, I drove into Brevard and stopped at Velvet Cup Coffee Truck for a veggie breakfast burrito and a hot biscuit with honey butter. It smelled like rosemary and warm dough, and I ate it sitting on the tailgate with wet shoes and a full heart.
Looking Glass Falls At a Glance
- Location: Near Brevard, NC (Pisgah National Forest)
- Distance from Charlotte: ~2.5 hours by car
- Trail: No hike required; short paved path to base
- Height: ~60 feet
- Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings for fewer crowds
- What to Bring: Water shoes, towel, camera for spray shots
- Food Nearby: Velvet Cup Coffee Truck, Brevard, NC
Log Hollow Falls - 2.5 hours from Charlotte
Log Hollow Falls felt like a secret I wasn’t supposed to find. There were no crowds, no signs, just the sound of water pulling me in as I moved through the trees. The trail is gentle, more of an old logging road than a proper hike, but it winds through some of the softest, greenest forest I’ve ever walked.
The falls themselves slip gracefully over a sloped rock face, framed by ferns and fallen branches. No thunder, no drama, just movement and moss. I stood there alone, boots in the mud, and thought, “This is what it feels like to be let in on something quiet.”
After the walk, I drove back into Brevard and stopped at Morning Social. I had their veggie hash with sweet potatoes, onions, and spinach, plus a sourdough slice that smelled like toast and olive oil. I sat outside in the sun, still carrying the calm from the woods.
Log Hollow Falls At a Glance
- Location: Pisgah National Forest, near Brevard, NC
- Distance from Charlotte: ~2.75 hours
- Trail: ~1 mile round trip, easy and flat
- Height: ~25 feet
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or early summer for best flow
- What to Bring: GPS/map (unmarked), hiking shoes, bug spray
- Food Nearby: Morning Social, 142 E Main St, Brevard, NC
High Falls - 2 hours from Charlotte
If Looking Glass was beauty on display, High Falls was beauty in motion. I could hear it before I saw it, water crashing in layers, echoing up the trail. The hike through DuPont State Forest was smooth and wide, surrounded by hardwood trees that filtered the light in waves.
When I reached the overlook, High Falls was pouring down a 120-foot granite slope, white and loud and thrilling. I scrambled down the optional spur trail to the base, feeling the thunder in my knees. I stood there drenched in mist, and thought, “This isn’t just water, this is energy made visible.”
Afterward, I stopped at Cedar Mountain Café for a late lunch, a grilled veggie wrap with hummus and cucumber salad. The wrap was still warm, the cafe smelled like pinewood and coffee, and I didn’t realize how hungry I’d been until I took the first bite.
High Falls At a Glance
- Location: DuPont State Recreational Forest, near Cedar Mountain, NC
- Distance from Charlotte: ~2.5 hours
- Trail: ~1.2 miles one way, easy to moderate with descent to base
- Height: ~120 feet
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or fall for cooler hiking temps
- What to Bring: Shoes with grip, sunblock, a snack for the base
- Food Nearby: Cedar Mountain Café, 10667 Greenville Hwy, Cedar Mountain, NC
Elk River Falls - 2.5 hours from Charlotte
Elk River Falls came with sound first, that deep, plunging echo of water hitting rock in a basin below. The trail was short, just a few minutes down from the parking lot, but when I stepped out onto the flat boulders overlooking the plunge pool, I felt like I’d wandered into an amphitheater built by water.
The 50-foot falls crash into a wide, dark pool that’s popular for swimming in warmer months. I didn’t dive in, but I dipped my fingers in and instantly knew: mountain water doesn’t mess around. I watched some locals climb out onto the rocks and thought, “I might not jump in, but I get why they do, this place dares you.”
Later, I grabbed lunch at Kaye’s Kitchen in Elk Park, a veggie plate with collards, okra, and cornbread that tasted like summer at someone’s grandmother’s house. It was warm, salty, and just the right kind of tired-after-hiking food.
Elk River Falls At a Glance
- Location: Near Elk Park, NC
- Distance from Charlotte: ~2.75 hours
- Trail: ~0.5 miles round trip, short but rocky
- Height: ~50 feet
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring through fall; popular on weekends
- What to Bring: Swimsuit (if brave), sturdy shoes, caution near slippery edges
- Food Nearby: Kaye’s Kitchen, 301 Main St, Elk Park, NC
Sliding Rock - 2 hours and 45 minutes from Charlotte
I never expected to laugh so hard on a waterfall hike, but Sliding Rock was pure joy. It's exactly what it sounds like, a smooth 60-foot rock slope where water rushes down, turning it into a natural slide straight into a frigid plunge pool. And yes, I did it.
The line of people waiting to slide gave it a local carnival vibe, but the cold water shut up everyone, fast. I slid down with a yelp and came up gasping, drenched and wide-eyed. I remember standing on the shore, hair dripping and legs shaky, thinking, “I’ll never be this awake again today.”
After drying off, I headed into Brevard (again!) and found The Square Root. I ordered a veggie pasta primavera with sun-dried tomato pesto. It tasted like warmth after shock, and my fingertips finally thawed.
Sliding Rock At a Glance
- Location: Pisgah National Forest, near Brevard, NC
- Distance from Charlotte: ~2.5 hours
- Trail: Short walk from parking lot; steps to base
- Height: ~60-foot rock slide
- Best Time to Visit: Summer (lifeguards on duty, small entrance fee)
- What to Bring: Swimsuit, towel, dry clothes, courage
- Food Nearby: The Square Root, 33 Times Arcade Alley, Brevard, NC
Rainbow Falls - 3 hours from Charlotte
Rainbow Falls is the kind of hike that reminds you what legs are for. The trail through Gorges State Park climbs steadily... roots, rocks, and heat but I knew it would be worth it. I could hear the falls long before I saw them, and when I rounded the final bend, the spray hit me like a curtain.
This is one of the most dramatic falls I’ve seen near Charlotte, 150 feet tall, blasting water into mist that throws rainbows across the sunlit canyon. I stood there soaked and stunned, thinking, “This is wild in every sense of the word.”
Back in Sapphire, I stopped at Canyon Kitchen for a veggie plate with local greens and roasted carrots. It tasted earthy and sweet, like the trail had followed me to the table.
Rainbow Falls At a Glance
- Location: Gorges State Park, near Sapphire, NC
- Distance from Charlotte: ~3 hours
- Trail: ~3.9 miles round trip, moderate to strenuous
- Height: ~150 feet
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring and early summer
- What to Bring: Sturdy shoes, water, snack, change of clothes
- Food Nearby: Canyon Kitchen, 130 Canyon Dr, Sapphire, NC (seasonal)
Second Falls - 2 hours and 45 minutes
Sometimes you want a waterfall that doesn’t make you work too hard, Second Falls delivered. Located right off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Graveyard Fields, the trail to the falls was short, a little rocky, and smelled like wild blueberries the whole way down.
The moment I reached the overlook, the sound of the falls filled the air. Water spilled in clean sheets over dark rock, catching the sun in all the right places. I made my way down to the lower pool and dipped my feet in the stream. I remember closing my eyes and thinking, “I need more places that feel like this, easy, quiet, generous.”
Afterwards, I stopped at Blue Ridge Restaurant in Waynesville for their veggie skillet with sweet potato hash and peppers. It was cozy and filling, and I was still slightly damp, which, honestly, made the food taste better.
Second Falls At a Glance
- Location: Graveyard Fields, Blue Ridge Parkway
- Distance from Charlotte: ~2.75 hours
- Trail: ~0.6 miles round trip, short but rocky
- Height: ~50 feet
- Best Time to Visit: Summer for swimming; fall for foliage
- What to Bring: Water shoes, towel, berry-hunting spirit
- Food Nearby: Blue Ridge Restaurant, 3198 Dellwood Rd, Waynesville, NC
Triple Falls - 2 hours from Charlotte
Triple Falls isn’t just popular, it’s famous. It’s had a few starring roles (hello, *The Hunger Games*), but even without the Hollywood credits, it would’ve impressed me. The trail in DuPont State Forest climbs steadily, and as soon as I heard the roar, I knew I was close.
Three distinct drops cascade over massive granite ledges, and there are spots where you can walk right between the upper and middle falls. I stood on a rock outcrop watching water thunder below me and thought, “No wonder this place is a star. It knows how to command attention.”
I ended the hike with a stop at Bracken Mountain Bakery in Brevard for a fresh veggie focaccia and an oatmeal raisin cookie that still smelled like cinnamon. I ate on the steps out front with sore legs and zero regrets.
Triple Falls At a Glance
- Location: DuPont State Recreational Forest
- Distance from Charlotte: ~2.5 hours
- Trail: ~1.2 miles round trip (some incline)
- Height: Three sections, total drop ~120 feet
- Best Time to Visit: Year-round; fall for drama and fewer crowds
- What to Bring: Good traction shoes, a snack, camera (trust me)
- Food Nearby: Bracken Mountain Bakery, 42 S Broad St, Brevard, NC
Upper Falls - 3 hours
While most people rush to Second Falls in Graveyard Fields, Upper Falls waits patiently upstream, quieter, calmer, and worth every step. The trail follows the creek, weaving through thickets and across bridges, each turn pulling me deeper into solitude.
When I reached the falls, I had them completely to myself. Water flowed like a long breath over layered rock, gentle but steady. I sat on a nearby boulder and watched the branches sway above the stream. I remember thinking, “This is what happens when you go just a little farther than everyone else.”
Later, I grabbed a late bite at Smoky Mountain Sub Shop in Waynesville, roasted veggie sub with house-made chips. The bread was warm, the place smelled like oregano, and I stayed longer than I meant to.
Upper Falls At a Glance
- Location: Graveyard Fields, Blue Ridge Parkway
- Distance from Charlotte: ~2.75 hours
- Trail: ~1.6 miles round trip, moderate with roots and wet spots
- Height: ~25 feet
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or fall; early morning for solitude
- What to Bring: Trail map, hiking shoes, time to linger
- Food Nearby: Smoky Mountain Sub Shop, 29 Miller St, Waynesville, NC
Waterfalls Near Charlotte, NC: Final Thoughts
There’s something about standing in front of a waterfall that resets you. But doing it after a trail, after miles and sweat and stillness, makes the view hit different. The best part? I didn’t need to board a plane or take a week off. These places were all within a morning’s drive from Charlotte.
Some trails were easy. Others left me sore in the best way. But each one reminded me that beauty doesn’t always shout, sometimes it just flows, falls, and waits for you to show up. I kept thinking, “I live close to all this. I just have to remember to go.”
So next time your weekend feels too short or your week feels too long, lace up, hit the road, and follow the sound of falling water. It’ll know what to do with you.
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