5 Unforgettable Waterfalls In Asheville, North Carolina (A Local’s Guide)
Finding a waterfall near you in Asheville, North Carolina isn’t hard with the Blue Ridge Parkway as veins running right outside of the city. If you’ve already made your way through my LGBTQ+ guide to Asheville or taken your own self-guided bike tour in West Asheville, it’s time to grab your hiking boots, towel, and head out. After visiting some twenty plus waterfalls during my summers here, inspired by the book North Carolina Waterfalls by Kevin Adams, I’m constantly asked for waterfall recommendations.
All of the waterfalls and swimming holes that I’ve visited over the past five years have had different personalities, energies, tones, and features. With that being said, I’m breaking down some of the types of waterfall experiences and giving you the best of the best in each category. Let’s dive in!
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Or should I say slide in? The first waterfall that made our list is one that’s bursting with fun, and for some, adrenaline.
1. The Most Fun: Turtle Back Falls
Turtle Back Falls is a heck of a ride. Once you make the around 1.75 mile hike there, you’ll have an “ah-ha” moment as to how it was given its name! The waterfall is pretty popular in the summer with people gathering to watch their friends and family ride down the falls or make the plunge.
One of the coolest things about the hike to Turtle Back Falls? You’ll pass another epic waterfall along the way: Rainbow Falls. If there was a category on this list for “most powerful waterfall,” Rainbow Falls would have taken the gold, easily.
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The trailhead that leads to Turtle Back Falls is located at Rainbow Falls Bull Head Parking A, Gatlinburg, TN, 37738. Once on the trail, a 3.5-mile roundtrip hike from Gorges State Park will take you past Rainbow Falls and onto Turtle Back Falls.
A word of warning: It is easy to slip and fall at the top of Turtleback falls which can result in injury or death. Please proceed with caution and never try this natural waterslide alone. I often have someone help me get out and into position on the top of the falls. The water below is cold, powerful, and unforgiving. Only slide down the waterfall if you are a strong swimmer and exit immediately.
Speaking of waterfalls that require strong swimmers, we arrive at our second recommendation. This one rocks a strong current and large crowd.
2. Beautiful But Busy: Looking Glass Falls
Looking glass can be a lot to handle in the summer months between the hot sun, large crowd, and powerful waters. I enjoy passing the excited people, wading into the water, and feeling the push and pull of the current in the pool below. During the autumn and winter months the traffic to this location dies down just a little and offers a spectacular view.
Getting to Looking Glass Falls requires a quick walk down paved stairs that are right off the road. Looking Glass Falls is located at Pisgah National Forest, 533-5988 Pisgah Hwy, Brevard, NC 28712.
Now we’ll move into our next category, our “hidden gem” of the crew.
🎧👉 Speaking of hidden gems, check out our podcast episode on local recommendations for things to do in Asheville. Listen in:
3. Secluded And Stunning: Sol’s Creek Falls
I’ve never read about Sol’s creek on the internet, and while doing a search for more information on the falls found almost nothing. As written about in my other post covering epic waterfalls with no signage, Sol’s creek makes it onto yet another list of great waterfalls.
This massive 120 ft waterfall is only accessible by boat and requires a 0.25 semi-steep and muddy hike to the falls. It took us around 1.5 hours to reach the waterfall by kayak. Once standing in front of this tremendous wonder, you can feel its incredible strength, force, and cleansing energies. No photo or video could do this natural treasure justice.
To access this location, take Highway 281 to the boat ramp off of Bear Lake Road. It is 15 miles north of where Slick Fisher Road comes into 281. From the boat ramp, head south on the reservoir until you hit the island. Once there, turn left. It took us a 10-minute ride from the island in the kayak to spot the top of the falls peaking out between the trees in the mountains. Enter the cove below to hike to the falls.
Think that Sol’s Creek sounds like a hike? Try making it to our next waterfall on the list!
4. Most Challenging Hike: Paradise Falls
Oh Paradise Falls, the hike that left me black and blue.
Although the actual falls were pleasing to look at, in this case the journey was just as exciting as the destination. Paradise Falls sits in the forest, surrounded by a little open and rocky pad, often occupied by college kids and Instagram stars. The open pool below makes for a fanatic swimming spot and an ideal place to cool off in the summer.
The trailhead for Paradise Falls is located at Canada Rd, Tuckasegee, NC, 28783. I’ll share the directions to the spot written by TheOutbound: “From the parking lot indicated on the map (within site of a local church) there are two ways to approach the falls. The easier route is to follow the path heading towards the rear of the church, ultimately dropping down to the river. Cross the river and continue following the path to the top of the waterfall. The more challenging path goes straight down from the back of the parking lot into the trees and rhododendron. This trail also comes to the river where you must cross, but in this case you head back up a small rise directly across the stream. Keep following the trail, and from the top of the hill you should see a long descent dropping almost straight down to the pool below Paradise Falls. Be careful here as the hill is quite steep, and after rain can be extremely slippery and treacherous. Make your way carefully down to the bottom where your reward awaits.”
The hike there requires a lot of leg muscle and clothes that didn’t mid getting dirty if you take the occasional spill. When I had almost finally made it and was approaching the falls at the end of the hike, I slipped off a large and wide rock, sliding 5 ft. down into the water. I narrowly avoided getting my ankle jammed between a literal rock and hard place. Be careful, aware, and conscious! Do this hike with a pal.
As cliche as it is, as we approach the end of this list, I’ve saved the best for last.
5. Best Overall Experience: Rough Butt Creek Falls
Rough Butt Creek falls, like Sol’s Creek, is another incredible waterfall that isn’t well-known. I found Rough Butt in a waterfall guide and decided to see what it was all about, even though it requires you to pass through “private property” to reach the trailhead.
The trail to get there is a serene experience, totaling about 2.6 miles out and back. The hike takes you through a lush forest with a healthy ecosystem. The large rocks, white water, and occasional creeks crossing the path are a delight for all senses. Ready to experience it for yourself?
Hiking The Appalachians says: “From the main entrance to Western Carolina University (SR 1325) along NC 107 in downtown Cullowhee, follow NC 107 South for 3.8 miles. Then, turn left onto Caney Fork Road (SR 1737). Continue on Caney Fork Road for 9.4 miles to Ruff Butt Road on the right. An unpaved private road, Ruff Butt Road is marked by a wooden sign. Even though this is a private road, the public is welcome to walk it. Please park in the grassy area at the intersection of Caney Fork Road and Ruff Butt Road, as Ruff Butt Road becomes extremely rough farther on.”
Ready For More Asheville Waterfall Adventures?
If you’re local or will be visiting the area I highly recommend the book North Carolina Waterfalls by Kevin Adams. It diligently lists over 1,00 waterfalls in North Carolina. Accompanied by full descriptions, comprehensive directions, and color photographs the guide is thorough. It has taken us to new waterfalls that are untraceable online and left in pristine condition due to their stealth. It’s perfect for finding your new favorite waterfall in Asheville or beyond in Western North Carolina.
