Attractions > Parkway Waterfalls

Must-See Waterfalls along the Parkway

popular waterfalls along the Blue Ridge Parkway

blue ridge waterfall

If you love waterfalls then this is the place for you, there are literally hundreds of waterfalls along the Blue Ridge Parkway. So many in fact that Transylvania County near the southern end of the Parkway is called "The Land Of Waterfalls" with over 500 large waterfalls in a single county!

While no list could possibly be complete (many waterfalls in the mountains haven't even been discovered yet), on this page we'll discuss some of the larger and more popular waterfalls that are easy to access from the Blue Ridge Parkway.


  • Looking Glass Falls

    looking glass fallsLooking Glass Falls is located near Brevard, NC, right off of U.S. 276, not far from the Blue Ridge Parkway. This particular waterfall is extremely popular for travelers because it is easily accessible from the road and the scenic view is one of the best around. The huge concrete double stack steps lead down to an even better view of the stunning waterfalls from below. This view is especially beautiful during the fall season when the foliage is in full swing.


  • Linville Falls

    linville falls waterfallLinville Falls is located in the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area near mile milepost 316 off of the Blue Ridge Parkway. This amazing 150 foot tall waterfall has the highest volume of water flow of any other falls on the northern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Starting with a twin set of upper falls and then spiraling through a small canyon until the falls plunge 50 feet below to the base of the falls in the Linville River.


  • Crabtree Falls

    crabtree falls waterfallCrabtree Falls is located at Crabtree Meadows Recreation Area at MP 339.5 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It features five major cascades and a number of smaller ones spanning 1200 feet. The best season for this area is spring when there is an impressive array of wildflowers on display.


  • Second Falls

    Second Falls on the Yellowstone Prong is a short walk from the Graveyard Fields Overlook at milepost 418.8. Second Falls and the valley below can be viewed as you approach the parking area from the south. The short .3 mile hike to the large and scenic waterfalls brings you through a Rhododendron tunnel and down to the creek. You'll come to a wooden bridge that crosses over the Yellowstone Prong. The trail leads down stairs to a large observation platform to view the falls from below.


  • Soco Falls

    Not far from the Blue Ridge Parkway near Cherokee, NC is Soco Falls. The parking area for this waterfall is on the side of U.S. 19 about a mile or so south of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Walk down the trail to a nice viewing deck with a good view of this impressive double waterfall. One Cherokee legend says that this waterfall was a favorite of a great Cherokee Chief and he visited it often.

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