If you ask us, nothing beats a road trip through the mountains of North Carolina. With scenery at every turn, activities for the whole family, and charming towns to enjoy along the way, this region of the Tar Heel State seems tailor-made for outdoor enthusiasts. Today, we’ll introduce you to one of the most memorable scenic drives in the entire state: the Western North Carolina Waterfall Loop. Accessible from Bryson City, North Carolina, this drive takes roughly 4.5 hours to complete and showcases 11 stunning falls. Some of these waterfalls can be seen from the road while others require a short hike. So if you’ve ever hoped for a wonder-filled North Carolina waterfall road trip, this will lead you to some of the very best.

Without further ado, here’s an overview of North Carolina’s most scenic waterfall loop. For the customizable Google Map, you can view the map link.

1. Juney Whank

Juney Whank Falls Trail, North Carolina 28713, USA
Ali Majdfar / Getty Images
Our North Carolina waterfalls trip begins at the Deep Creek Waterfalls near Bryson City. In fact, you can stay in Bryson City to enjoy its close proximity to all of the gorgeous falls on this trip. The first trio of falls is located inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park and requires a bit of leisurely hiking along some of the most scenic hiking trails with waterfalls in North Carolina. From the Deep Creek Trailhead parking area, you’ll follow a well-marked trail for 1/4 mile to Juney Whank Falls. This 90-foot cascade flows under a scenic footbridge. The name for the waterfall is believed to have been inspired by the Cherokee phrase "juney whank" which means "the place where the bear passes."

2. Tom Branch

Tom Branch, North Carolina 28713, USA
Photo by Cathy Scola / Getty Images
From the Deep Creek Trailhead, continue approximately 1,000 feet along the trail to reach our second waterfall of the day. This gentle waterfall is 60 feet tall and flows into Deep Creek. Here you’ll find a bench for resting and soaking in the beautiful scenery. You might even spot some inner-tubers floating by.

3. Indian Creek

Indian Creek Falls, Indian Creek Trail, Bryson City, NC 28713, USA
Photo Courtesy of the Bryson City / Swain County NC Chamber of Commerce
The third of the Deep Creek waterfalls is Indian Creek, which is about one mile from the main trailhead. While this waterfall may be only 25 feet high, the volume of water flowing into the pool below makes for the most mesmerizing spectacle. You’ll also notice a short spur trail that leads to the base of the falls. Learn more about the hike to this waterfall on the NPS site.

4. Upper Nantahala Cascades

Wayah Road, Wayah Rd, North Carolina, USA
Great Smokies
The Nantahala is famous for its kayaking and rafting opportunities; however, relatively few have enjoyed the breathtaking cascades. Arguably the most beautiful portion of the river, the series of cascades begins 1,000 feet above the gorge. To access the cascades, take US 19/74 to the southern end of the Nantahala Gorge. Following Wayah Road, you'll be able to enjoy a majority of the Upper Nantahala Cascades right from your car. You can learn more about Nantahala Falls in North Carolina on the Great Smokies website.

5. Big Laurel Falls

National Forest Road, National Forest Rd, North Carolina, USA
jmpncsu / TripAdvisor
Our next waterfall can be found in the Franklin Area. Big Laurel Falls is accessible via a 1.1-mile round-trip trail and is one of the best waterfall hikes in North Carolina. The quick trek packs in loads of scenery and the waterfall itself is the crown jewel of the experience. Now that you've made it halfway through this waterfall road trip, you'll welcome the opportunity to stretch your legs. You can learn more about Big Laurel Falls in North Carolina on the USDA website.

Related Stories

8 Easy Waterfalls Hikes In North Carolina You're Guaranteed To Love

8 Easy Waterfalls Hikes In North Carolina You're Guaranteed To Love

 You Can Hike To 9 Waterfalls All Within 10 Miles Of This Charming North Carolina Town

You Can Hike To 9 Waterfalls All Within 10 Miles Of This Charming North Carolina Town

 The Wildcat Falls Trail In North Carolina Leads You Straight To An Abandoned Bridge That Crosses The Waterfall

The Wildcat Falls Trail In North Carolina Leads You Straight To An Abandoned Bridge That Crosses The Waterfall

6. Cullasaja Falls

Cullasaja Falls, North Carolina 28741, USA
Briony Kate / AllTrails
Cullasaja Falls in North Carolina is a cascading waterfall that measures an impressive 250 feet. Better yet, it's visible from the car. For those who want a closer look, there's a short and sweet 0.2-mile trail that offers an even better view.

7. Dry Falls

Dry Falls, North Carolina 28741, USA
Ellen B / TripAdvisor
The next portion of our waterfall loop will take us to Dry Falls in the Highlands Region of North Carolina. The inspiration behind the name of this iconic waterfall is the fact that visitors can walk behind the 75-foot falls without ever getting wet. You can also take one of the best waterfall hikes in North Carolina here.

8. Bridal Veil Falls

Bridal Veil Falls, North Carolina 28741, USA
The_Crafty_Beer_Mermaid / TripAdvisor
Bridal Veil Falls is just a stone's throw away from Dry Falls. The staggering 120-foot Bridal Veil Falls is one of North Carolina’s most iconic waterfalls, though photos hardly do it justice. It’s located in the Cullasaja Gorge, which is accessible via US 64. Just like Dry Falls, it's also possible to walk behind the waterfall for an unforgettable photo-op. You can learn more about Bridal Veil Falls in North Carolina on the Highlands North Carolina website.

9. Silver Run Falls

Silver Run Falls Trailhead, 35°04'00.9"N 83°04'01.1"W, Cashiers, NC 28717, USA
BradandStacy41 / TripAdvisor
Silver Run Falls in North Carolina may be only 30 feet tall, but the spectacle of this gorgeous waterfall emptying into a pool of water is one that's hard to describe. Just four miles south of Cashiers, this destination features a designated pull-off and quick walk to the viewing area.

10. Mingo Falls

Mingo Falls, North Carolina 28719, USA
Photo Courtesy of the Bryson City / Swain County NC Chamber of Commerce
Located on the Cherokee Indian Reservation, there are two beautiful waterfalls you’ll want to visit: Mingo Falls and Soco Falls. Mingo Falls in North Carolina can be found in the community of Big Cove. This breathtaking cascade, whose name means "Big Bear" in the Cherokee language, is 120 feet tall. This makes it among the tallest waterfalls in all of Southern Appalachia.

11. Soco Falls

Soco Falls, North Carolina 28751, USA
Photo Courtesy of the Bryson City / Swain County NC Chamber of Commerce
Last but not least, we arrive at Soco Falls. This staggering waterfall can be found 1.5 miles west of the Blue Ridge Parkway. What makes Soco Falls so memorable is the fact that it’s a double waterfall. This natural wonder can be found on the road to Maggie Valley, approximately 11 miles east of Cherokee. This waterfall is easily accessible via a viewing platform just a short walk from the designated pull-off. Soco Falls in North Carolina is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the state.

We hope this North Carolina waterfall road trip helps you find all the best waterfalls near you. How many of these beautiful North Carolina waterfalls have you seen? We’d love to hear all about your experiences in the comments below! And while you’re in the area, don’t forget to check out these incredible day hikes at Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

7 Trails In North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains That Belong On Your Hiking Bucket List

And don’t forget to check out this road trip essentials packing list before embarking on your adventure!

More to Explore

North Carolina Waterfall Road Trip

Melissa M. | July 09, 2022

What are the best kid-friendly hikes in North Carolina?

The Mount Mitchell summit trail is one of the best kid-friendly hikes in North Carolina.

With easy hikes that are one mile and under in North Carolina, you can bring the kids along! Trek along a trail, look at the flora and fauna, and see the sense of wonder on your kids’ faces. There’s nothing better than exploring the natural world with children while getting some fresh air and exercise. Take in the views along the Mount Mitchell Summit Trail or perhaps climb stairways and cross bridges on the Cascades Trail. Your kids will love being outside and exploring beautiful North Carolina!

Are there any waterfall swimming holes in North Carolina?

Skinny Dip Falls is a great waterfall swimming hole in NC.

While viewing a waterfall is always a wonderful experience, up the ante and take a dip in one of these waterfall swimming holes in North Carolina. You can take a short hike to Silver Run Falls, which even has its own small beach, or take a long hike to Skinny Dip Falls with its deep pool below … there are plenty of waterfall adventures to choose from!

What is the tallest waterfall in North Carolina?

At 811 feet, Upper Whitewater Falls in the Nantahala Forest is considered the largest waterfall in the state. Here’s a fun fact: the upper part of the falls (411 feet) is actually located in North Carolina while the lower portion (400 feet) is located in South Carolina. This is the tallest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains.

Related Articles

Explore North Carolina

Featured Addresses
Bryson City, NC 28713, USA