Waterfall Hikes Near Raleigh, NC
Raleigh sits on flat Piedmont ground, so waterfall hiking from here means heading southwest to the Cape Fear. Lanier Falls at Raven Rock State Park is the main event, five miles out and back with 300 feet of climb, and dogs can come along. Two different Little Falls give you easy one-mile walks. Upper Falls plus a pair of historical entries fill out the six on this page. Raven Rock alone justifies the drive down US 401.
Map of Waterfalls Near Raleigh
Pins are within 50 miles; hollow circles are day trips 50–100 miles out.
Today's Conditions
Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service
Water Flow
6 waterfalls near Raleigh have live flow data today
Updated about 2 hours ago via USGS
Best Day to Hike
Tuesday
Mostly Sunny · 67°F
Flowing best right now near Raleigh
Updated about 2 hours agoRanked by live stream-gauge flow versus each waterfall's seasonal normal.
- 1 Eagle Point Falls (historical) Low · 3 cfs 15th percentile
- 2 Hyco Falls (historical) Barely Flowing · 578 cfs 7th percentile
- 3 Lanier Falls Barely Flowing · 1 cfs 0th percentile
- 4 Little Falls Barely Flowing · 56 cfs 0th percentile
- 5 Little Falls Barely Flowing · 56 cfs 0th percentile
- 6 Upper Falls Barely Flowing · 56 cfs 0th percentile
Know when to go.
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Find waterfalls to hike near Raleigh
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🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Raleigh (2 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.
🐕 Dog-Friendly Waterfall Hikes Around Raleigh (3 waterfalls)
Bring your four-legged friend along! These waterfalls welcome dogs on their trails.
All 6 Waterfalls Near Raleigh
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🧭 Day Trips From Raleigh (6 waterfalls, 50–100 miles away)
Everything listed above is within 50 miles of Raleigh. Make a day of it and 6 more are within 100 miles. The closest is Great Falls, about 84 miles away, and the tallest is Lower Cascade Falls at 35 ft.
Distances are approximate, measured from the center of Raleigh; the drive is usually longer.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Raleigh
Are there free waterfalls near Raleigh?
There are 2 free waterfalls near Raleigh, including Lanier Falls.
Are there easy waterfall hikes near Raleigh?
There are 2 easy waterfall hikes near Raleigh, including Little Falls.
Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Raleigh?
There are 3 dog-friendly waterfalls near Raleigh, including Lanier Falls.
Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Raleigh?
There are 3 kid-friendly waterfalls near Raleigh, including Lanier Falls.
What is the shortest waterfall hike near Raleigh?
The shortest waterfall hike near Raleigh is Lanier Falls at 0.6 miles round trip.
Can I camp near the waterfalls around Raleigh?
Yes, 3 waterfalls near Raleigh have nearby campgrounds.
What is the closest waterfall to Raleigh?
The closest waterfall to Raleigh is Lanier Falls, approximately 29.4 miles away.
What waterfalls are within a day trip of Raleigh?
Beyond the 6 waterfalls within 50 miles, 6 more are between 50 and 100 miles from Raleigh. The closest of those is Great Falls, approximately 83.8 miles away.
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