Waterfall Hikes Near Columbus, NC

1,087 residents
New York Time Zone
75 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Looking for the best waterfalls to hike near Columbus? There are 75 waterfall hiking trails within a 50-mile radius of Columbus. These trails range from drive_up to moderate difficulty, providing options for both casual hikers and experienced adventurers looking to explore the region's natural beauty.

Located at 35.2656°N, -82.1976°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Columbus

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

75 of 75 gauged

9 of 75 waterfalls near Columbus are flowing strongly today

Big Falls Moderate Rainbow Falls Moderate Rock Creek Falls Moderate Bird Rock Falls Barely Flowing Catheys Creek Falls Barely Flowing Connestee Falls Barely Flowing Dismal Falls Barely Flowing Rainbow Falls Barely Flowing Schoolhouse Falls Barely Flowing Windy Falls Barely Flowing Whitewater Falls Barely Flowing Upper Falls Barely Flowing Toxaway Falls Barely Flowing Blue Sea Falls Barely Flowing Crabtree Falls Barely Flowing Crystal Falls Barely Flowing Falls of Gouges Creek Barely Flowing Grassy Creek Falls Barely Flowing Mitchell Falls Barely Flowing Murphy Falls Barely Flowing Roaring Spout Falls Barely Flowing Upper Falls Barely Flowing Bradley Falls Barely Flowing Camp Minnehaha Falls Barely Flowing Hickorynut Falls Barely Flowing Rainbow Falls Barely Flowing Toms Falls Barely Flowing The Cascades Barely Flowing Bridal Veil Falls Strong Glencannon Falls Strong High Falls Strong Laughing Falls Strong Looking Glass Falls Strong Maidenhair Falls Strong Slick Rock Falls Strong Courthouse Falls Moderate Dill Falls Moderate Lower Vernal Falls Moderate Second Falls Moderate Yellowstone Falls Moderate Woodfin Falls Moderate Upper Vernal Falls Moderate Upper Falls Moderate Douglas Falk Barely Flowing Walker Falls Barely Flowing Gordons Mill Falls Moderate Great Falls Roaring High Falls Moderate Hooker Falls Moderate Pearsons Falls Moderate Shoal Creek Falls Moderate Turley Falls Moderate Triple Falls Moderate Linville Falls Moderate Lower Falls Low Reedy River Falls Low Upper Falls Low Pelham Falls Barely Flowing Raven Cliff Falls Strong Reems Creek Falls Low Slicking Falls Low Spivey Falls Moderate

Updated about 1 hour ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Monday

Sunny · 97°F

Tod 93°F Patchy Fog then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sat 93°F Patchy Fog then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sun 93°F Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mon 97°F Sunny Best
Tue 92°F Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Wed 91°F Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Thu 93°F Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Flowing best right now near Columbus

Updated about 3 hours ago

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

  1. 1 Great Falls Roaring · 564 cfs 94th percentile
  2. 2 High Falls Strong · 84 cfs 86th percentile
  3. 3 Maidenhair Falls Strong · 84 cfs 86th percentile
  4. 4 Bridal Veil Falls Strong · 84 cfs 86th percentile
  5. 5 Slick Rock Falls Strong · 84 cfs 86th percentile
  6. 6 Laughing Falls Strong · 84 cfs 86th percentile

Know when to go.

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Find waterfalls to hike near Columbus

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🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Columbus (15 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.

Pearsons Falls waterfall

Pearsons Falls

31 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
0.3 miles 120 ft
Hickorynut Falls waterfall

Hickorynut Falls

15.8 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
1.4 miles 200 ft

🐕 Dog-Friendly Waterfall Hikes Around Columbus (51 waterfalls)

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

Bradley Falls waterfall

Bradley Falls

31.7 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Rainbow Falls waterfall

Rainbow Falls

16.4 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
3.9 miles 700 ft
The Cascades waterfall

The Cascades

13.9 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

All 75 Waterfalls Near Columbus

Bradley Falls waterfall

Bradley Falls

31.7 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Pearsons Falls waterfall

Pearsons Falls

31 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
0.3 miles 120 ft
Hickorynut Falls waterfall

Hickorynut Falls

15.8 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
1.4 miles 200 ft
Rainbow Falls waterfall

Rainbow Falls

16.4 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
3.9 miles 700 ft
The Cascades waterfall

The Cascades

13.9 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Big Falls waterfall

Big Falls

30.8 miles away
South Carolina
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Camp Minnehaha Falls waterfall

Camp Minnehaha Falls

14.5 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Bead and Lace Falls

7.8 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Toms Falls waterfall

Toms Falls

16.4 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Rock Creek Falls waterfall

Rock Creek Falls

37.4 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.5 miles 500 ft

Turley Falls

6 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Shoal Creek Falls waterfall

Shoal Creek Falls

13.8 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Triple Falls waterfall

Triple Falls

16.2 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.9 miles 300 ft

Pelham Falls

8.4 miles away
South Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Hooker Falls waterfall

Hooker Falls

16.3 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
0.9 miles 50 ft
High Falls waterfall

High Falls

34.2 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
1.2 miles 200 ft
Bridal Veil Falls waterfall

Bridal Veil Falls

3.5 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
4.4 miles 300 ft
Laughing Falls waterfall

Laughing Falls

15.1 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Rainbow Falls waterfall

Rainbow Falls

37.7 miles away
South Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Glencannon Falls

3.6 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Columbus

Are there free waterfalls near Columbus?

There are 45 free waterfalls near Columbus, including Bead and Lace Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Columbus?

There are 15 easy waterfall hikes near Columbus, including Connestee Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Columbus?

There are 51 dog-friendly waterfalls near Columbus, including Bead and Lace Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Columbus?

There are 50 kid-friendly waterfalls near Columbus, including Bead and Lace Falls.

Can you swim in any waterfalls near Columbus?

There are 4 waterfalls that allow swimming near Columbus, including Courthouse Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Columbus?

The shortest waterfall hike near Columbus is Bead and Lace Falls at 0.1 miles round trip.

How tall are the waterfalls near Columbus?

The tallest waterfall near Columbus is Raven Cliff Falls at 420 feet.

Can I camp near the waterfalls around Columbus?

Yes, 72 waterfalls near Columbus have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to Columbus?

The closest waterfall to Columbus is Bradley Falls, approximately 4.1 miles away.

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Nearby Hot Springs

Hot springs near Columbus, North Carolina

Hot Springs

Hot Springs

57.4 mi 108°F

Hot Springs surfaces at 108 degrees Fahrenheit in the town of Hot Springs, Madison County, North Carolina, near Marshall. At ju...

Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Columbus, North Carolina on SoakingSprings.

Explore North Carolina springs

Where to Stay

Hotels & Lodges Booking.com

Find hotels, lodges, and B&Bs near the trailhead
Cabins & Rentals VRBO

Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Glamping Hipcamp

Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
RV Rentals Outdoorsy

Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip

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