These are the waterfalls near the Blue Ridge Parkway you need to consider when planning your visit.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is amazing for so many reasons and the beautiful waterfalls are one of those reasons.
While the main purpose of the Blue Ridge Parkway will always be to create an uninterrupted drive along the mountains between Shenandoah National Park and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, to merely drive through is to miss some of the deepest beauty.
Many of the waterfalls on this list require hiking but there are also several that you can drive up and enjoy without hiking at all. Make sure you check for closures before you go searching for waterfalls on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Waterfalls near the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia
Virginia is home to many waterfalls and most of these are either on or very close to the Blue Ridge Parkway. I also included a few waterfalls in this list that are within a half an hour drive from the parkway. I included these because they represent some of the best waterfalls in the state and offer experiences that are unique to the region. In other words, they are worth a quick detour!
1. White Rock Falls
White Rock Falls parking is directly on the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 18.5 or you can park at The Slacks Overlook at 19.9. The trail from White Rock Falls parking is a 4.7 mile loop or about 1.5 miles out and back from The Slacks. Either way, you can enjoy a somewhat strenuous hike to the pretty waterfall.
Waterfall Height: 40 feet
Hiking Distance to see waterfall: 4.4 miles
Nearest Milepost on Blue Ridge Parkway: 18.5 on the Blue Ridge Parkway
2. St. Mary’s Waterfall
St. Mary’s Waterfall is not directly on the Blue Ridge Parkway. You will need to drive about 30 minutes into the beautiful St. Mary’s Wilderness to reach the parking area. Once you do, the hike to the waterfall requires crossing the St. Mary’s River several times. This isn’t hopping over a series of well placed rocks. Instead you get to ford the river. Bring river sandals, it’s amazing.
You’ll be knee deep in water that stays pretty cold year round. It’s one of the most exhilarating hikes you can find in the Blue Ridge. When you reach the beautiful waterfall there are endless opportunities for children or adults to enjoy playing in the water.
Waterfall Height: 35 feet
Hiking Distance to see waterfall: 4.3 miles
Nearest Milepost on Blue Ridge Parkway: 27 (trailhead is about 9 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway)
3. Crabtree Falls
Like St. Mary’s Falls, Crabtree Falls is not directly on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The drive to the parking area is around 25 minutes and is in the Priest Wilderness. Crabtree Falls is the longest waterfall east of the Mississippi at 1200 feet long. It is important to note this is not a single 1200 foot drop but a series of drops and slides down a mountain.
What’s so great about Crabtree Falls is you can see the lower edge of the waterfall after a quick walk along a paved walk. There is so much more to see, though. A steep trail swerves up the mountain bringing you to views of Crabtree Falls over and over again.
Waterfall Height: 1200 feet
Hiking Distance to see waterfall: 0.1 miles to see the first overlook, 3.6 to see all of them
Nearest Milepost on Blue Ridge Parkway: 27 (trailhead is about 8 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway)
4. Wigwam Falls
Wigwam Falls is directly on the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 34.4 and can be found on the Yankee Horse Trail. The hike to the waterfall is a very short 0.2 miles and takes you across a decommissioned rail line. At that distance, this is more of a leg stretcher than a true hike.
The waterfall is rather small but still worth seeing because it’s so easy and the brief trail is pretty as well.
Waterfall Height: 30 feet
Hiking Distance to see waterfall: 0.2 miles
Nearest Milepost on Blue Ridge Parkway: 34.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway
5. Apple Orchard Falls
Apple Orchard Falls is accessed from either the Cornelius Creek Trail or from the Blue Ridge Parkway Sunset Field Overlook at milepost 78.4. The trail from Sunset Fields is an out and back trip and is only 2.6 miles but you’ll gain more than 1000 feet in elevation on the way back.
Even though the hike is strenuous, the beautiful waterfall is worth visiting. The waterfall is viewed from a wide wooden observation deck and is one of the more powerful falls on this list.
Waterfall Height: 200 feet
Hiking Distance to see waterfall: 2.5 miles
Nearest Milepost on Blue Ridge Parkway: 78 on the Blue Ridge Parkway
6. Fallingwater Cascades
Fallingwater Cascades is a part of the Peaks of Otter area and is a moderate hike to a multitiered waterfall. The hike is about 1.3 miles and you’ll descend and then gain about 500 feet. The highlight of the hike is the trail around the waterfall.
The trail climbs beside the waterfall and you can access both the bottom and the middle section of the waterfall.
Waterfall Height: 40 feet
Hiking Distance to see waterfall: 1.3 miles
Nearest Milepost on Blue Ridge Parkway: 83.1 on the Blue Ridge Parkway
7. Bent Mountain Falls
Bent Mountain Falls is part of Bottom Creek Gorge Nature Preserve. It isn’t directly on the Blue Ridge Parkway but it takes less than 15 minutes to reach the Preserve area. This is an interesting destination because there are three separate trails (Knight, Johnston, and Duval) to enjoy.
The Johnston Trail is the most direct trail to the Bent Mountain Falls but taking the Knight trail takes you along the creek and the Duval takes you along the ruins of an old mountain community. Taking one of the alternate paths is more enjoyable even though they are longer than the Johnston Trail.
One thing to know is that you will be viewing the waterfall from a distance. There isn’t a trail that takes you to the base of the waterfall. There is a large ravine between the observation point and Bent Mountain Falls.
Waterfall Height: 200 feet
Hiking Distance to see waterfall: 4.7 miles
Nearest Milepost on Blue Ridge Parkway: 136 (4.5 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway)
Waterfalls near the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina
There are so many waterfalls in North Carolina, seriously, it’s obnoxious – we get it North Carolina, you’re pretty.
The Blue Ridge Mountains get wilder and taller as the parkway passes into the Pisgah National Forest and the waterfalls become more frequent. In the far edges of Western North Carolina the parkway reaches Nantahala National Forest and crescendos in Transylvania County.
8. Widows Creek Falls
Widows Creek Falls is in Stone Mountain State Park and is a detour from the parkway. The state park is big and beautiful. There are two ways to enjoy the waterfall. The short hike to the lower falls is only about 0.2 miles. The hike to the upper falls is close to a three mile trail. Each is good to visit. The lower falls is an easy walk and is the more popular hike so on weekends expect large crowds.
Waterfall Height: 25 feet
Hiking Distance to see waterfall: 0.2 miles
Nearest Milepost on Blue Ridge Parkway: 229 (the trailhead is 12 miles from Blue Ridge Parkway)
9. Stone Mountain Falls
Stone Mountain Falls is the other waterfall at Stone Mountain State Park to consider visiting. Reaching the 200 foot waterfall requires a relatively easy hike. The waterfall is more of the slide variety and less of an uninterrupted plunge.
Waterfall Height: 200 feet
Hiking Distance to see waterfall: 3.5 miles
Nearest Milepost on Blue Ridge Parkway: 229 (the trailhead is about 9 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway)
10. Cascades
You can find the Cascades in E.B. Jeffress Park. From the trailhead it is only a short walk of under half a mile to reach the waterfall. There are two different overlooks where you can see different sections of this long cascading waterfall.
In addition to the waterfall, the park also has two historic cabins you can visit as well as a small picnic area with beautiful views. Overall this is an awesome place to stop.
Waterfall Height: 100 feet
Hiking Distance to see waterfall: 0.8 miles
Nearest Milepost on Blue Ridge Parkway: 272.5 on the Blue Ridge Parkway
11. Hebron Falls
Hebron Falls is in Julian Price Memorial Park. This isn’t the largest or most amazing waterfall, but the park itself is one of the most beautiful areas on the parkway making this a great place to stop for a hike. There is, in addition to the waterfall an amazing picnic area and a huge lake. The waterfall is along the Boone Fork Trail and only gains about 200 feet of elevation along the way.
Waterfall Height: 25 feet
Hiking Distance to see waterfall: 5 miles
Nearest Milepost on Blue Ridge Parkway: 294.6 (2 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway)
12. Linville Falls
Linville Falls sits just outside the Linville Gorge Wilderness area and is one of the most beautiful falls in the entire region. The rushing, carving river slices through the rock face and spills lower in a short series of drops. The trail to the falls begins at the visitor center parking lot and it only takes about 20 minutes to reach the first amazing overlook.
Waterfall Height: 150 feet
Hiking Distance to see waterfall: 1.6 miles
Nearest Milepost on Blue Ridge Parkway: 316.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway
13. Duggers Creek Falls
Duggers Creek Falls is a thin waterfall bound by forest in the Linville Falls area. This waterfall is overshadowed by its bigger brother but you can be confident the 15 minutes it takes to reach is worth it. You won’t be wowed like Linville Falls but two waterfalls are better than one because there is no bad waterfall.
Waterfall Height: 15 feet
Hiking Distance to see waterfall: 0.2 miles
Nearest Milepost on Blue Ridge Parkway: 316.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway
14. Crabtree Falls
Crabtree Falls is an incredible stop on the parkway. It’s not among the tallest waterfalls on the list but it’s one of our favorite waterfalls because of the amazing photos you can take. The sound of the plunging water is almost deafening in the most pleasant way and the rocky bank near the waterfall edge is the perfect place to be enveloped.
Waterfall Height: 70 feet
Hiking Distance to see waterfall: 2.5 miles
Nearest Milepost on Blue Ridge Parkway: 339.5 on the Blue Ridge Parkway
15. Glassmine Falls
Glassmine Falls is a waterfall that must be enjoyed at a distance. The waterfall is viewed from View Glassmine Falls Overlook and the waterfall is on private land. The waterfall is thin and forest festooned. If it has been dry, the waterfalls narrows to a trickle, so visit after rains to see the falls at their best.
Waterfall Height: 800 feet
Hiking Distance to see waterfall: None
Nearest Milepost on Blue Ridge Parkway: 361.2 on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Waterfalls on Pisgah Highway
The next six waterfalls are all along Pisgah Highway in Transylvania County. It’s a little crazy how packed in these waterfalls are. Pisgah Highway leads to Brevard and it’s know as “the land of waterfalls”, its a true statement.
16. Looking Glass Falls
Looking Glass Falls is again a roadside waterfall. Parking is along Pisgah Highway, a spiritual cousin to the Blue Ridge Parkway with its winding lanes and uninterrupted beauty. You can enjoy Looking Glass Falls from the viewing area or take a short trail to a lower viewing area. Both are excellent. The waterfall is stunning and perhaps the best on the list for low effort with high reward.
Waterfall Height: 60 feet
Hiking Distance to see waterfall: None to the viewing platform, optional 0.25 miles to base of falls
Nearest Milepost on Blue Ridge Parkway: 412 (10 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway)
17. Moore Cove Falls
Moore Cove Falls is a brief detour off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Brevard, one of the better destinations off the parkway. The short trail to the waterfall is pleasant and meanders over many wooden foot bridges.
Moore Cove Falls is of that rarest waterfall type that you can walk behind. There is a wide cave behind the waterfall where you can explore. It’s also not far from Looking Glass Falls so you can easily see both with a quick detour from the Parkway.
Waterfall Height: 50 feet
Hiking Distance to see waterfall: 1.5 miles
Nearest Milepost on Blue Ridge Parkway: 412 (9 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway)
18. Cedar Rock Creek Falls
Cedar Rock Creek Falls can be found on Cat Gap Loop Trail near Brevard. The trail leaves from the Pisgah Wildlife Center and follows the Cedar Rock Creek for awhile. The waterfall is only about 20 feet high. You can approach the hike as an out and back or as a loop. The loop trail will be a little more than 4.5 miles and if you are really ambitious connect to surrounding trails, like the Art Loeb Trail, for a long adventure.
Waterfall Height: 20 feet
Hiking Distance to see waterfall: 1.8 miles
Nearest Milepost on Blue Ridge Parkway: 412 (12 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway)
19. Slick Rock Falls
Slick Rock Falls is a thin waterfall that slips off a bare rock face to crash into the bare creek bed below. While some waterfalls are demonstrations of power, Slick Rock Falls is a delicate thing. The trail to the waterfall is only a couple hundred feet if you take the fire road. While this is primarily enjoyed as a waterfall, some visit to climb the smoothed rock near the falls.
Waterfall Height: 35 feet
Hiking Distance to see waterfall: 0.1 miles
Nearest Milepost on Blue Ridge Parkway: 412 (13 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway)
20. Cove Creek Falls
Cove Creek Falls is a tall wide waterfall that cascades down a series of rocks along Cove Creek Trail. The trail is only a couple miles and is mostly easy. At the base of the waterfall is a rocky area perfect for scrambling on. The waterfall is great for photography and exploring and getting lost in nature for awhile.
Waterfall Height: 50 feet
Hiking Distance to see waterfall: 2 miles
Nearest Milepost on Blue Ridge Parkway: 412 (13 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway)
21.High Falls, Triple Falls, and Hooker Falls
All three of these great waterfalls are not only in Dupont State Park, they can also be combined into one amazing hike. This is the longest detour from the Parkway in North Carolina on this list. But it’s only a short drive from the town of Brevard and it’s worth visiting the town whenever you can.
Triple Falls and High Falls are a short distance from each other and are powerful waterfalls surrounded by beautiful view after beautiful view. Hooker Falls is accessible from a separate spur hike and while it is not as high or as powerful as the other two, there is a swimming area near the base of the falls.
Waterfall Height: 150 feet (High Falls), 120 feet (Triple Falls), 15 feet (Hooker Falls)
Hiking Distance to see waterfall: 3.2 miles for all three
Nearest Milepost on Blue Ridge Parkway: 412 (26 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway)
22. Lower Falls at Graveyard Fields
Graveyard Fields is an amazing stop on the Blue Ridge Parkway. There is a beautiful and interesting hike with a stunning waterfall. So, obviously don’t skip this one, like ever.
The waterfall is always great to visit, but if you want to know the best times to visit, it is mid September to early October. Not only are all of the above superlatives true, the leaf change here might be the best on the parkway! Yeah, this one is good.
Waterfall Height: 40 feet
Hiking Distance to see waterfall: 1.5 miles
Nearest Milepost on Blue Ridge Parkway: 418.8 on the Blue Ridge Parkway
23. Courthouse Falls
Courthouse Falls is about a 30 minute drive from the Blue Ridge Parkway and although that’s a bit further than most other waterfalls on this list, this plunging waterfall is on the list because at the base there is a deep swimming hole. To visit the waterfall and swimming hole, you’ll need to walk a short trail through the forest. Because this is one’s a little out of the way this is a great option for getting away from potential crowds during nice weekends in spring, summer, and fall.
Waterfall Height: 45 feet
Hiking Distance to see waterfall: 0.6 miles
Nearest Milepost on Blue Ridge Parkway: 423.5 (10 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway)
24. Soco Falls
Soco Falls is only a few minutes drive off the Blue Ridge Parkway and it’s a 120 foot tall beauty. Access to the waterfall requires an easy five minute walk to the viewing area. Oh, and if that wasn’t enough, Soco Falls is a double waterfall. There isn’t much more to say except visit it, this waterfall has all the stuff you need.
Waterfall Height: 120 feet
Hiking Distance to see waterfall: 0.2 miles
Nearest Milepost on Blue Ridge Parkway: 456 (1.5 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway)
25. Mingo Falls
To reach Mingo Falls you will leave the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Southern end where it connects to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It only takes about 12 minutes to reach Mingo Falls. The very easy walk to Mingo Falls is less than half a mile and you get to enjoy a 120 foot waterfall powerfully spilling over the rocky mountain face.
Waterfall Height: 120 feet
Hiking Distance to see waterfall: 0.4 miles
Nearest Milepost on Blue Ridge Parkway: 469.1 (8 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway)
Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip
Are you planning a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway? Be sure to check out our guide to the Blue Ridge Parkway with tons of tips for enjoying the parkway including places to stay, the best times to visit, and the top must-see highlights.
If you’ve come this far you must really, really love waterfalls. I know you are also going to want to see the best waterfalls to visit in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from our friends at National Parks Mom.
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