With 200+ overlooks scattered along the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway, you could easily drive the world-renowned scenic route and see countless jaw-dropping mountain vistas without taking more than a few steps from your car.
But that would ultimately defeat the purpose of the BRP, which was conceived as part of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal in 1933, “to reveal the charm and interest of the American countryside.”
Constructing a road to connect Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina with Shenandoah National Park in Virginia was a landmark act of conservation.
By the early 20th century, the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains had been marred by decades of erosion, excessive logging, and fires. The BRP was designed to protect the region’s natural beauty and restore the land.
In our experience, hiking is the best way to explore the natural beauty of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, and the Parkway offers hundreds of trails to explore. But the ones leading to waterfalls are by far our favorites!
Read on for our in-depth guide to the 15 Best Waterfalls on/near the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC & VA, including info on the BRP milepost, distance, elevation gain, and what makes each of these trails so special.
READ MORE: The 15 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Hotels & Cabin Rentals in NC & VA
Places to Stay near Waterfalls on the BRP
VIRGINIA
Wintergreen Resort -5.7 mi to BRP
Steeles Tavern Manor Bed and Breakfast -7 mi to BRP
Peaks of Otter Lodge – on BRP
Hampton Inn Galax -13.5 mi to BRP
NORTH CAROLINA
Hampton Inn & Suites Boone -15 mi to BRP
The Pineola – 1.2 mi to BRP
Switzerland Inn -minutes to BRP
The NuWray Hotel & Carriage House –18.5 mi to BRP
Tru by Hilton Asheville -1.1 mi to BRP
Cherokee Grand Hotel -.9 mi to BRP
1. Upper Shamokin Falls (Milepost 9.6)
Upper Shamokin Falls is maintained by the Nature Foundation at Wintergreen Resort as part of a 13-acre stand of hardwood forest called Shamokin Springs Nature Preserve.
There are lots of hiking trails in the preserve, so there are different routes to reach Upper Shamokin Falls. Taking the Upper Shamokin Falls Trail (0.4 miles) is the shortest, and you can use the Morgan Loop (0.3 miles) to get back.
To get to the trailhead via the Blue Ridge Parkway (which is a notably longer hike), use the Dripping Rock parking area and hike across Laurel Springs Drive to access the falls.
This is one of the quieter waterfall trails on the BRP, making it easy to avoid crowds while seeing something remarkable!
READ MORE: The 10 Best Waterfalls on/near the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia
2. White Rock Falls (Milepost 19)
Located in the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests, the 30-foot White Rock Falls is one of the more popular waterfalls on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia.
The trailhead is just off the BRP at the White Rock Gap parking area, and the trail is well-marked and well-trodden.
It can either be a relatively easy 3.4-mile out-and-back trip or a 4.4-mile loop. Either way, it has plenty of cool rock formations and scenic vistas to appreciate along the way.
The waterfall has a ribbon-like flow down a mossy rock face, ending in a crystal-clear pool with a rocky bottom. The pool is not quite deep enough for a swim, but it’s a stunner and fantastic for cooling down on hot summer days.
READ MORE: Exploring Groundhog Meadow & Groundhog Mountain Picnic Area
3. Crabtree Falls (Milepost 27)
Located about 6 miles from the BRP, Virginia’s Crabtree Falls is a series of 5 cascades that fall a total of 1,200 feet. At 400 feet, one of these is the tallest vertical-drop cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi!
There are 5 overlooks from which to observe Crabtree Falls, the first of which is just 700 feet from the parking area (and is wheelchair accessible). The others continue along a mile-plus, rocky and steep dirt path, with several switchbacks.
At 1.7 miles in, there’s a wooden bridge that crosses over the waterfall, and the view from it is a magnificent vista of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Tye River Valley.
This waterfall is named after William Crabtree, the first European who settled in the area. Crabtree Falls is located at the Crabtree Falls Day Use Area, and it costs $3 cash per car to park there.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Restaurants in VA & NC
4. Apple Orchard Falls (Milepost 78)
The 200-foot Apple Orchard Falls is a beloved Virginia waterfall along the BRP, and a short spur off the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail in Virginia.
Accessible to most hikers, the trail from the Blue Ridge Parkway begins at the Sunset Field Overlook. It’s about 2.9 miles out-and-back, with a great snacking /viewing bench at the foot of the falls.
In addition to the falls, the Apple Orchard Falls Trail provides sweeping views of mountains and valleys. It also intersects the AT, which offers access to the Cornelius Creek Trail (another route for reaching the falls).
For hardy hikers, Cornelius Creek and the AOF Trail can be combined to make a 7.5-mile loop trail for viewing the waterfall, exploring a bit of the AT, and enjoying some seriously awesome scenic vistas.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Hiking Trails on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia
5. Fallingwater Cascades (Milepost 83)
This lovely waterfall is one of many highlights of the Peaks of Otter area in Bedford VA, with access via the Fallingwater or Flat Top parking lots.
Fallingwater Cascades is a series of fairly small waterfalls, but the trail itself is in a gorgeous forest and has a few magical wading pools you can cool off in along the way.
The easy hike can either be 1.2-miles out-and-back, or a 1.6-mile loop trail. If you want extended hiking, the Flat Top Trail connects Fallingwater Cascades to Abbott Lake and the Peaks of Otter Lodge.
This route is 4.4 miles one-way, and it has phenomenal panoramas from rocky outcrops. The forest ecology also changes over the course of the hike.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks in Virginia
6. Chestnut Creek Falls (Milepost 216)
Chestnut Creek Falls is one of many fine attractions in the 57-mile New River Trail State Park (near the town of Galax VA), which follows right along the river.
This linear park has two tunnels, three major bridges, and 30 small bridges/trestles. It traverses four counties, and has three primitive campgrounds.
Chestnut Creek Falls is located just north of the Cliffview Campground and Dannelly Park, and south of Chestnut Yard. The trek between Cliffview and Chestnut Yard is 4 miles, and rates as an easy hike.
To get to the Cliffview Campground from the BRP, take VA-89 N roughly 3 miles south of the Blue Ridge Music Center. From there, VA-89 takes you into the town of Galax, and it’s just a few short turns from there!
READ MORE: A Detailed History of the Blue Ridge Parkway
7. Cascades (Milepost 271.9)
Located at E.B. Jeffress Park in Deep Gap, the waterfall simply known as Cascades is considered one of the premier Boone NC attractions (though it’s around 15 miles northeast of the beloved Blue Ridge Mountain Town).
Accessible directly from the Blue Ridge Parkway at MP 271.9, the easy Cascades Trail is barely over a mile out-and-back, taking visitors to multiple overlooks of this series of waterfalls formed by the aptly named Falls Creek.
Not only is the trail short and gentle, but it’s also informative, with signs on the notable flora of the area.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Mountain Towns Along the Blue Ridge Parkway to Visit
8. Hebron Falls/Boone Fork Falls (Milepost 296.4)
Also known as Boone Fork Falls, Hebron Falls is located right on the Blue Ridge Parkway within the lovely Julian Price Memorial Park.
This 3.2-mile out-and-back trail is perfect for those who enjoy a lingering, lounging series of pools and plunges rather than an eye-popping drop of a waterfall.
The Boone Fork Trail tunnels through gorgeous rhododendron thickets and involves adventurous creek crossings while traveling beside both Boone Fork and Bee Tree Creek.
It’s also near the Julian Price Lake and picnic area, which is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the gorgeous mountain scenery, whether before or after visiting the falls.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Picnic Areas in NC & VA
9. Linville Falls (Milepost 316.4)
Located right off the Blue Ridge Parkway, this accessible, multi-tiered wonder plunges into the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, America’s first ever designated wilderness area.
Widely regarded as one of the best North Carolina waterfalls, Linville Falls is an especially fun one because there are lots of different perspectives from which visitors can enjoy it.
An observation deck offers a close-up view of Upper Linville, while the much taller Lower Linville Falls can be seen from several different observation platforms at varying altitudes.
Note that Linville Falls access from the BRP is still closed due to Hurricane Helene (as of 9/13/25), but some of the trails are still open. We will update this post when we receive an official update from the National Park Service.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks in North Carolina
10. Crabtree Falls (Milepost 339.5)
Located near Little Switzerland NC, the trail to Crabtree Falls NC remains closed as of our deadline due to Hurricane Helene damage. But no list of the best Blue Ridge Parkway waterfalls would be complete without it!
This 3-mile trail involves some muddy slopes and slippery roots. But it leads to a stunningly picturesque waterfall that ripples its way down an impressive rock face, making this one of our favorite Pisgah National Forest hiking trails.
The 60-foot-tall waterfall towers over a boulder-strewn landing pad that invites hikers to clamber their way across to comfortable viewing seats, making it a fantastic place for a picnic.
Crabtree Falls doesn’t have a visitor’s center, but it does have an extensive campground as well as an amphitheater for ranger-led talks and demonstrations.
READ MORE: The 13 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Campgrounds to Visit
11. Roaring Fork Falls (Milepost 344.1)
Located about 5 miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway via NC-80 (near the town of Burnsville NC), Roaring Fork Falls offers a lovely 1.4-mile walk in the woods on a wide, relatively flat former forest service road.
There’s virtually no elevation gain to speak of, and lots of NC wildflowers and creek views along the way, so it feels more like a gentle stroll than a hike.
The waterfall itself is nearly 100 feet tall, with small cascades twisting and winding their way down a forest-lined rock slide into a tranquil pool at the bottom.
It’s not deep enough for swimming, but it’s a fun place to cool off on hot summer days, and the big boulders all around offer lovely spots for a picnic.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Museums to Visit
12. Looking Glass Falls (Milepost 411.8)
Located near Brevard NC, Looking Glass Falls is one of the most visited North Carolina waterfalls, and easily the most popular of the hundreds of waterfalls near Brevard.
This 60-foot Transylvania County beauty is an easily accessed, literal roadside attraction on US-276, which is part of the spectacular Forest Heritage Scenic Byway.
Heading south on US-276, Looking Glass Falls will be on the left-hand side in about 10 miles. You don’t even have to get out of the car to see it, but there is a wheelchair accessible ramp and stairs for those who want a closer look.
If you’re taking this detour, there are several other major attractions nearby, including Moore Cove Falls, Sliding Rock, and the Cradle of Forestry in America.
READ MORE: The 25 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Waterfalls in North Carolina
13. Graveyard Fields Falls (Milepost 418.8)
One of the most beloved Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks, Graveyard Fields is more romantic and welcoming than its name would suggest, with fantastic waterfalls, wildflowers, and wild blueberries along the trail.
Its seemingly sinister name dates back about a century. The area’s trees were knocked down by a windstorm, then the stumps got burned in a wildfire, leaving what looked like tombstones scattered across the landscape.
Since then, the area has recovered to become a stunningly fertile valley. It’s located some 5,000 feet above sea level, but surrounded by 6,000-foot Blue Ridge Mountain summits.
There is a short walk you can take to one of the waterfalls here, but the 3.5-mile loop (which boasts multiple waterfalls and a lovely mountain meadow) is well worth the time and energy investment.
READ MORE: The 25 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Hikes for NC Day Trips
14. Soco Falls (Milepost 455.7)
Located 5.7 miles from Maggie Valley and 2 miles off the BRP, Soco Falls is an absolutely stunning pair of twin waterfalls that delivers remarkable ROI for such a short hike.
There’s a spacious new parking lot and trailhead that were opened in July 2025, as well as a newly rebuilt observation deck that’s perfect for viewing the falls.
The Soco Falls trail– once a short, steep, slippery trek from the parking lot down to the bottom of the falls– has gone from 1/10th of a mile to nearly a half-mile round-trip, with gravel added and hand rails along the way.
But the rope-assisted section to the bottom is still closed for now due to heavy erosion caused by Hurricane Helene. We’ll update this post if/when that changes.
READ MORE: Why You Need to Visit the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center (MP 384)
15. Mingo Falls (Milepost 469.1)
Located in the Qualla Boundary, just 5 miles from the end of the Blue Ridge Parkway (or beginning, depending on which way you choose to drive it), this is our favorite waterfall in Cherokee NC.
Mingo Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains, measuring around 120 feet and tumbling dramatically down a moss-laden rock face.
While the trail to Mingo Falls is 0.4 miles, it’s considered moderately difficult due to the elevation change and 161 big steps to reach the top. The trail is currently closed for renovations, but is expected to reopen soon.
Mingo Falls is just 6 miles from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so you could easily visit the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Mingus Mill, and Kuwohi on the same day! –by Jonathon Engels & Bret Love; lead image by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett
