Top-Tier Waterfalls Surrounding Asheville Worthy of Your Bucket List
**Exploring the Best Waterfalls Around Asheville, North Carolina**
Asheville, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is surrounded by a wealth of natural beauty, with numerous waterfalls that cater to various hiking abilities. Here's a guide to some of the top waterfalls to visit in the area, along with details about trail length, elevation gain, difficulty, distance from Asheville, and swimming availability.
**Catawba Falls** offers a 2.1-mile round trip hike with a 308-foot elevation gain, rated easy. It features over 100 feet of cascading falls and allows swimming in the pools near the falls. It is about 30 minutes from Asheville.
**DuPont State Recreational Forest** is a must-see outdoor space in the Asheville area, with multiple waterfalls to visit. Trails range from 0.8 miles to 5.8 miles with elevation gains from 137 to 807 feet, covering easy to moderate difficulty levels. Hooker Falls is the shortest hike (0.8 miles, 137 ft gain), while visiting all four falls (Grassy Creek, High Falls, Triple Falls, Hooker Falls) involves 5.8 miles and 807 ft gain. Swimming is not allowed here. It is around 48 minutes from Asheville.
**Crabtree Falls**, located about 40 minutes from Asheville, is a roughly 5-mile round trip hike with minimal elevation gain, making it an easy hike. It is regarded as one of the most beautiful falls on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
**Graveyard Fields Lower Falls** is an easy, mostly flat hike through scenic mountain laurel and rhododendron, perfect for beginners. The trail is less than a mile and takes less than an hour. While swimming availability is not specified, it is famed for its captivating waterfall views.
**Catawba Falls**, once closed for a long period, is now open and worth visiting. It offers a variety of experiences from short, easy walks to moderate day hikes, with swimming options primarily at Catawba Falls. They are all within roughly an hour's drive from Asheville, making them excellent day trip destinations.
It's essential to note that DuPont State Forest's Triple Falls Trail was recently closed due to storm damage, so visitors should check current status before planning their trip. Glassmine Falls, while visible via an overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway, does not have an accessible trail, making it more of a scenic viewing spot than a hike.
Other notable waterfalls include **Linville Falls**, another favourite, with multiple overlooks offering different views; **Hickory Nut Falls** in Chimney Rock State Park, which reopened in June of 2025 after being affected by Hurricane Helene in 2024; and **Rainbow Falls**, **Turtleback Falls**, and **Drift Falls** located in Gorges State Park.
For those seeking a unique waterfall experience, **Wright Creek Falls** in Devil's Fork State Park is only accessible by boat and is one of the coolest and most unique waterfalls on the East Coast.
Lastly, Sliding Rock, not a waterfall but a 60-foot natural slide that flows into an 8-foot deep pool, is also a popular attraction for visitors. Quarry Falls, located 4 minutes away from Cullasaja Falls, is a roadside cascading waterfall.
Whether you're an experienced hiker or a beginner, Asheville's surrounding areas offer a diverse range of waterfalls to explore, ensuring a memorable and enjoyable outdoor experience.
- After a day of hiking at Graveyard Fields Lower Falls, one might look forward to pitching a tent in the Mountains, immersing themselves in the serene Lifestyle of a home-and-garden setting.
- For those planning a trip that includes Catawba Falls, it's advisable to pack travel essentials, as the nearby pools near the falls offer an opportunity for a refreshing swim.
- Adventure-seekers ought to consider visiting DuPont State Recreational Forest, offering a variety of trails with varying difficulty levels for an exciting hiking experience.
- While exploring the best waterfalls around Asheville, one might want to include Linville Falls and Hickory Nut Falls in their itinerary, offering spectacular views that cater to diverse tastes.
