Waterfall Hikes Near Banner Elk, NC

1,234 residents
New York Time Zone
32 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Banner Elk sits high in the Blue Ridge with thirty-two falls inside fifty miles. Laurel Creek Falls is three tenths of a mile in and people swim there. Dutch Creek Falls takes two miles. Jones Falls runs three miles out along the Elk River and earns the extra distance. Dogs do well on most of these trails.

Located at 36.1589°N, -81.8677°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Banner Elk

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

30 of 32 gauged

3 of 30 waterfalls near Banner Elk are flowing strongly today

Abrams Falls Barely Flowing Betseys Rock Falls Moderate Cascade Falls Moderate Long Hope Falls Moderate Big Falls Moderate Big Falls Moderate Dutch Creek Falls Moderate Laurel Creek Falls Moderate Watauga Falls Moderate Blue Sea Falls Moderate Crabtree Falls Moderate Crystal Falls Moderate Falls of Gouges Creek Moderate Grassy Creek Falls Moderate Mitchell Falls Moderate Murphy Falls Moderate Roaring Spout Falls Moderate Upper Falls Moderate Buckeye Falls Moderate Spivey Falls Moderate Carter Falls Moderate Little Falls Moderate Coon Den Falls Roaring Jones Falls Roaring Laurel Falls Roaring Douglas Falk Barely Flowing Walker Falls Barely Flowing Linville Falls Moderate Moravian Falls Moderate Silvervale Falls Low

Updated about 1 hour ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Tuesday

Sunny · 68°F

Tod 60°F Sunny
Mon 63°F Sunny
Tue 68°F Sunny Best
Wed 70°F Sunny
Thu 71°F Mostly Sunny
Fri 71°F Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Sat 66°F Rain Showers Likely

Flowing best right now near Banner Elk

Updated about 2 hours ago

Ranked by live stream-gauge flow versus each waterfall's seasonal normal.

  1. 1 Laurel Falls Roaring · 1110 cfs 93rd percentile
  2. 2 Jones Falls Roaring · 1110 cfs 93rd percentile
  3. 3 Coon Den Falls Roaring · 1110 cfs 93rd percentile
  4. 4 Moravian Falls Moderate · 860 cfs 70th percentile
  5. 5 Little Falls Moderate · 1160 cfs 63rd percentile
  6. 6 Carter Falls Moderate · 1160 cfs 63rd percentile

Know when to go.

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Find waterfalls to hike near Banner Elk

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🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Banner Elk (9 waterfalls)

Easy access waterfalls are drive-up or short-walk friendly. Perfect for families, casual visitors, or anyone who loves waterfalls but is "so-so" about hiking.

Laurel Creek Falls waterfall

Laurel Creek Falls

5.2 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
0.3 miles Unknown

🐕 Dog-Friendly Waterfall Hikes Around Banner Elk (22 waterfalls)

Bring your four-legged friend along! These waterfalls welcome dogs on their trails.

Big Falls waterfall

Big Falls

6.2 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Jones Falls waterfall

Jones Falls

7 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
3.0 miles 300 ft
Twisting Falls waterfall

Twisting Falls

8 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
1.5 miles 400 ft

All 32 Waterfalls Near Banner Elk

Dutch Creek Falls waterfall

Dutch Creek Falls

4.8 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.0 miles Unknown
LiDAR terrain view around Watauga Falls in North Carolina, about 142 feet of drop LiDAR

Watauga Falls

5.2 miles away
North Carolina
Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Laurel Creek Falls waterfall

Laurel Creek Falls

5.2 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
0.3 miles Unknown
Big Falls waterfall

Big Falls

6.2 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Jones Falls waterfall

Jones Falls

7 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
3.0 miles 300 ft
Twisting Falls waterfall

Twisting Falls

8 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
1.5 miles 400 ft
Linville Falls waterfall

Linville Falls

12.7 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
1.6 miles 250 ft
LiDAR terrain view around Coon Den Falls in Tennessee, about 338 feet of drop LiDAR

Coon Den Falls

15.2 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.6 miles 500 ft
Laurel Falls waterfall

Laurel Falls

16.9 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.3 miles 300 ft
Silvervale Falls waterfall

Silvervale Falls

17 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
0.1 miles Unknown
LiDAR terrain view around Falls of Gouges Creek in North Carolina, about 155 feet of drop LiDAR

Falls of Gouges Creek

17.5 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Long Hope Falls waterfall

Long Hope Falls

20.6 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
4.5 miles 800 ft
Cascade Falls waterfall

Cascade Falls

21.9 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
0.8 miles 100 ft
Crystal Falls waterfall

Crystal Falls

22.2 miles away
North Carolina
Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Grassy Creek Falls waterfall

Grassy Creek Falls

24 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
1.5 miles Unknown
Betseys Rock Falls waterfall

Betseys Rock Falls

25.6 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Crabtree Falls waterfall

Crabtree Falls

26.1 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.5 miles 500 ft
LiDAR terrain view around Murphy Falls in North Carolina, about 161 feet of drop LiDAR

Murphy Falls

26.6 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
4.0 miles 300 ft
Gentry Creek Falls waterfall CC

Gentry Creek Falls

26.9 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
4.5 miles 500 ft
Upper Falls waterfall

Upper Falls

28.6 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
3.3 miles 500 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Banner Elk

Are there free waterfalls near Banner Elk?

There are 23 free waterfalls near Banner Elk, including Betseys Rock Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Banner Elk?

There are 9 easy waterfall hikes near Banner Elk, including Carter Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Banner Elk?

There are 22 dog-friendly waterfalls near Banner Elk, including Betseys Rock Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Banner Elk?

There are 22 kid-friendly waterfalls near Banner Elk, including Abrams Falls.

Can you swim in any waterfalls near Banner Elk?

There are 2 waterfalls that allow swimming near Banner Elk, including Laurel Creek Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Banner Elk?

The shortest waterfall hike near Banner Elk is Abrams Falls at 0.1 miles round trip.

How tall are the waterfalls near Banner Elk?

The tallest waterfall near Banner Elk is Buckeye Falls at 475 feet.

Can I camp near the waterfalls around Banner Elk?

Yes, 32 waterfalls near Banner Elk have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to Banner Elk?

The closest waterfall to Banner Elk is Dutch Creek Falls, approximately 4.8 miles away.

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Where to Stay

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