waterfall
A waterfall is a point in a river or stream where water flows over a vertical drop or a series of steep drops. Waterfalls also occur where meltwater drops over the edge of a tabular iceberg or ice shelf.
Waterfalls can be formed in severa ...
s of
North Carolina
North Carolina () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and ...
,
U.S.A.
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
mountain
A mountain is an elevated portion of the Earth's crust, generally with steep sides that show significant exposed bedrock. Although definitions vary, a mountain may differ from a plateau in having a limited summit area, and is usually highe ...
regions of the state, as well as a major focus of tourism and outdoor recreation. Many of these falls are located in state parks, national forests, wildlife management areas, and other public lands, as well as private property. Many are accessible via established hiking trails, and some developed areas include boardwalks, observation platforms, picnic areas, and other amenities. Some of the highest and most voluminous waterfalls in the eastern United States are located in North Carolina.
Many of the waterfalls in the state are located in
Transylvania County
Transylvania County is a county in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census the population is 32,986. Its county seat is Brevard.
Transylvania County comprises the Brevard Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included i ...
, which is called "The Land of Waterfalls". This is due to the
orographic lift
Orographic lift occurs when an air mass is forced from a low elevation to a higher elevation as it moves over rising terrain. As the air mass gains altitude it quickly cools down adiabatically, which can raise the relative humidity to 100% and cr ...
that results in the area having one of the highest average rainfalls in the United States (90 inches per year).
Falls by county
This list is incomplete. Please feel free to add waterfalls to this list and to create articles about the waterfalls.
Visitors should always follow rules of safe waterfall hiking when visiting waterfalls.
Buncombe County
Although parts of Buncombe County receive less average rainfall than any other location in the Southeastern US, Buncombe County still has several waterfalls.
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Cascades Waterfall (Craggy Mountains)
Douglas Falls are a 60-foot waterfall located in Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is on a tributary of Waterfall Creek which flows into the Ivy River, and it is within the Big Ivy section of the Pisgah National Forest. The stream ...
Bridal Veil Falls (Macon County)
Bridal Veil Falls is a waterfall located in the Nantahala National Forest, northwest of Highlands, North Carolina. With a short curve of roadway located behind the falls, it had the distinction of being the only waterfall in the state that one ...
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Cullasaja Falls
Cullasaja Falls () , from the North Carolina Collection's website at the
Quarry Falls (Macon County)
Quarry Falls is a small waterfall (or perhaps large rapid in high water) located beside US Hwy. 64 west of Highlands, North Carolina, United States. It is best known for the large, deep pool at the bottom and is a popular place for swimming during ...
Catawba Falls
Catawba Falls is a series of waterfalls on the headwaters of the Catawba River, in McDowell County, near Old Fort, North Carolina.
Geology
The Catawba River flows over 2 major waterfalls in a short distance. The first drop, called Upper Cata ...
Sauratown Mountains
The Sauratown Mountains, which are sometimes called "the mountains away from the mountains", are an isolated mountain range located within Stokes and Surry counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The vast majority of the range is located i ...
This area receives more average annual rainfall than any other place in the Eastern United States - over 90 inches a year.
* Bridal Veil Falls (DuPont State Forest)
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Corbin Creek Falls
Corbin Creek Falls is a waterfall in North Carolina on Corbin Creek near Upper Whitewater Falls. As with most of North Carolina's waterfalls, it is in the mountainous area of the state. There is a cluster of falls in the area where the borders ...
Looking Glass Falls
Looking Glass Falls is a waterfall in Western North Carolina, located near Brevard.
Natural history
The name comes from nearby Looking Glass Rock, which resembles a wintertime mirror (or "looking glass") of sunlight, as water freezes on its side ...
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Moore Cove Falls
Moore Cove Falls is a waterfall in Pisgah National Forest in Western North Carolina, located near Brevard.
Natural history
The name comes from Moore Cove, and was named for Adam Q. Moore, who purchased the property. In 1891, the property was so ...
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Rainbow Falls (Horsepasture River)
Rainbow Falls is a waterfall in Western North Carolina, located near Brevard. The falls is located on the Horsepasture River. It is on Pisgah National Forest land just outside Gorges State Park.
History
A proposal to route the flow of the ri ...
List of waterfalls
This list of notable waterfalls of the world is sorted by continent, then country, then province, state or territory. A waterfall is included if it has an existing article specifically for it on Wikipedia, and it is at least high, or the fa ...
North Carolina
North Carolina () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and ...