Waterfall Hikes Near Rutherfordton, NC

3,671 residents
New York Time Zone
52 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Looking for the best waterfalls to hike near Rutherfordton? There are 52 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

52 of 52 gauged

5 of 52 waterfalls near Rutherfordton are flowing strongly today

Bead and Lace Falls Roaring Big Falls Strong Rainbow Falls Strong Rock Creek Falls Strong Bird Rock Falls Barely Flowing Catheys Creek Falls Barely Flowing Connestee Falls Barely Flowing 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 Bradley Falls Moderate Camp Minnehaha Falls Moderate Hickorynut Falls Moderate Rainbow Falls Moderate Toms Falls Moderate The Cascades Moderate Bridal Veil Falls Barely Flowing Glencannon Falls Barely Flowing High Falls Barely Flowing Laughing Falls Barely Flowing Looking Glass Falls Barely Flowing Maidenhair Falls Barely Flowing Slick Rock Falls Barely Flowing Courthouse Falls Barely Flowing Dill Falls Barely Flowing Second Falls Barely Flowing Yellowstone Falls Barely Flowing Upper Falls Barely Flowing Douglas Falk Moderate Walker Falls Moderate Gordons Mill Falls Roaring High Falls Low Hooker Falls Low Pearsons Falls Low Shoal Creek Falls Low Turley Falls Low Triple Falls Low Linville Falls Moderate Lower Falls Barely Flowing Reedy River Falls Barely Flowing Upper Falls Barely Flowing Pelham Falls Moderate Raven Cliff Falls Moderate Reems Creek Falls Moderate Silvervale Falls Moderate Slicking Falls Low

Updated 22 minutes ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Tuesday

Mostly Sunny · 92°F

Tue 92°F Mostly Sunny Best
Wed 96°F Sunny
Thu 98°F Sunny
Fri 98°F Sunny
Ind 98°F Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sun 97°F Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mon 94°F Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Flowing best right now near Rutherfordton

Updated about 1 hour ago

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

  1. 1 Bead and Lace Falls Roaring · 1180 cfs 100th percentile
  2. 2 Gordons Mill Falls Roaring · 107 cfs 93rd percentile
  3. 3 Big Falls Strong · 28 cfs 82nd percentile
  4. 4 Rock Creek Falls Strong · 28 cfs 82nd percentile
  5. 5 Rainbow Falls Strong · 28 cfs 82nd percentile
  6. 6 Linville Falls Moderate · 46 cfs 69th 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

22.5 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
1.4 miles 200 ft

🐕 Dog-Friendly Waterfall Hikes Around Rutherfordton (40 waterfalls)

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

Rainbow Falls waterfall

Rainbow Falls

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

The Cascades

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

Bradley Falls

49.6 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft

Bead and Lace Falls

14.8 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft

All 52 Waterfalls Near Rutherfordton

Hickorynut Falls waterfall

Hickorynut Falls

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

Rainbow Falls

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

The Cascades

23.4 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Camp Minnehaha Falls waterfall

Camp Minnehaha Falls

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

Bradley Falls

49.6 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft

Bead and Lace Falls

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

Toms Falls

23.1 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Pearsons Falls waterfall

Pearsons Falls

45.2 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
0.3 miles 120 ft

Turley Falls

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

Big Falls

10.5 miles away
South Carolina
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Grassy Creek Falls waterfall

Grassy Creek Falls

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

Linville Falls

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

Upper Falls

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

Crystal Falls

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

Rock Creek Falls

8.6 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.5 miles 500 ft
Crabtree Falls waterfall

Crabtree Falls

14.9 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.5 miles 500 ft

Murphy Falls

42.4 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
4.0 miles 300 ft

Falls of Gouges Creek

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

High Falls

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

Shoal Creek Falls

13.9 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 36 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 40 dog-friendly waterfalls near Rutherfordton, including Bead and Lace Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Rutherfordton?

There are 39 kid-friendly waterfalls near Rutherfordton, including Bead and Lace Falls.

Can you swim in any waterfalls near Rutherfordton?

There are 3 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, 49 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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Glamping Hipcamp

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

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