Waterfall Hikes Near Rutherfordton, NC

3,671 residents
New York Time Zone
60 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Looking for the best waterfalls to hike near Rutherfordton? There are 60 waterfall hiking trails within a 50-mile radius of Rutherfordton. 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 35.3642°N, -81.9613°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Rutherfordton

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

59 of 60 gauged

8 of 59 waterfalls near Rutherfordton are flowing strongly today

Bead and Lace Falls Moderate Big Falls Moderate Rainbow Falls Moderate Rock Creek Falls Moderate Big Falls Barely Flowing Dutch Creek Falls Barely Flowing Laurel Creek Falls Barely Flowing Watauga Falls Barely Flowing Bird Rock Falls Barely Flowing Catheys Creek Falls Barely Flowing Connestee 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 Upper Vernal Falls Moderate Upper Falls Moderate Douglas Falk Barely Flowing Walker Falls Barely Flowing Gordons Mill Falls Moderate High Falls Moderate Hooker Falls Moderate Pearsons Falls Moderate Shoal Creek Falls Moderate Turley Falls Moderate Triple Falls Moderate Jones Falls Moderate Linville Falls Low Lower Falls Low Reedy River Falls Low Upper Falls Low Pelham Falls Barely Flowing Raven Cliff Falls Strong Reems Creek Falls Barely Flowing Silvervale Falls Low Slicking Falls Low

Updated 32 minutes ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Wednesday

Mostly Sunny · 93°F

Tod 95°F Patchy Fog then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sat 95°F Patchy Fog then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sun 95°F Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mon 98°F Sunny
Tue 94°F Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Wed 93°F Mostly Sunny Best
Thu 95°F Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Flowing best right now near Rutherfordton

Updated about 2 hours ago

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

  1. 1 Maidenhair Falls Strong · 84 cfs 86th percentile
  2. 2 Laughing Falls Strong · 84 cfs 86th percentile
  3. 3 Looking Glass Falls Strong · 84 cfs 86th percentile
  4. 4 Glencannon Falls Strong · 84 cfs 86th percentile
  5. 5 High Falls Strong · 84 cfs 86th percentile
  6. 6 Bridal Veil Falls Strong · 84 cfs 86th percentile

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Rutherfordton hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Find waterfalls to hike near Rutherfordton

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🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Rutherfordton (11 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.

Hickorynut Falls waterfall

Hickorynut Falls

15.8 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
1.4 miles 200 ft

🐕 Dog-Friendly Waterfall Hikes Around Rutherfordton (44 waterfalls)

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

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
Bradley Falls waterfall

Bradley Falls

31.7 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft

Bead and Lace Falls

7.8 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft

All 60 Waterfalls Near Rutherfordton

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
Camp Minnehaha Falls waterfall

Camp Minnehaha Falls

14.5 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Bradley Falls waterfall

Bradley Falls

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

Pearsons Falls

31 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
0.3 miles 120 ft

Turley Falls

6 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
Grassy Creek Falls waterfall

Grassy Creek Falls

31 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Linville Falls waterfall

Linville Falls

33.2 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
1.6 miles 250 ft
Upper Falls waterfall

Upper Falls

30.1 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
3.3 miles 500 ft
Crystal Falls waterfall

Crystal Falls

39.6 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
Crabtree Falls waterfall

Crabtree Falls

40.1 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.5 miles 500 ft

Murphy Falls

40.1 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
4.0 miles 300 ft

Falls of Gouges Creek

37.9 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
High Falls waterfall

High Falls

13.7 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
1.2 miles 200 ft
Shoal Creek Falls waterfall

Shoal Creek Falls

13.8 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Rutherfordton

Are there free waterfalls near Rutherfordton?

There are 40 free waterfalls near Rutherfordton, including Bead and Lace Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Rutherfordton?

There are 11 easy waterfall hikes near Rutherfordton, including Connestee Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Rutherfordton?

There are 44 dog-friendly waterfalls near Rutherfordton, including Bead and Lace Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Rutherfordton?

There are 42 kid-friendly waterfalls near Rutherfordton, including Bead and Lace Falls.

Can you swim in any waterfalls near Rutherfordton?

There are 5 waterfalls that allow swimming near Rutherfordton, including Courthouse Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Rutherfordton?

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

How tall are the waterfalls near Rutherfordton?

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

Can I camp near the waterfalls around Rutherfordton?

Yes, 57 waterfalls near Rutherfordton have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to Rutherfordton?

The closest waterfall to Rutherfordton is Hickorynut Falls, approximately 16 miles away.

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Nearby Hot Springs

Hot springs near Rutherfordton, North Carolina

Hot Springs

Hot Springs

62.6 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 Rutherfordton, North Carolina on SoakingSprings.

Explore North Carolina springs

Where to Stay

Hotels & Lodges Booking.com

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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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