Little Falls waterfall
Nearby gauge (Tar River) · 72 ft³/s · Much lower than usual

Little Falls

North Carolina

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (5)
1.
Brandon Christopher Warren CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr
2.
Brandon Christopher Warren CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr
3.
Brandon Christopher Warren CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr
4.
Brandon Christopher Warren CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr
5.
Brandon Christopher Warren CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Little Falls

This listing marks a second falls named Little Falls that the USGS lists on the Tar River in Edgecombe County, on the east side of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, about 1.9 km downstream of the Little Falls in Battle Park. We could not find a description, trail or public access information for this spot.

Trail & Hike Details

What to Expect

Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail is relatively short and flat, but it may not be fully accessible for wheelchairs or strollers due to uneven terrain.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Little Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Little Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and fall are ideal for visiting due to pleasant weather and vibrant foliage. Summer is also popular, but it may be busier.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.

Safety Information

Exercise caution near the waterfall as rocks can be slippery. Be aware of weather conditions, as heavy rain may make the trail muddy or hazardous.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 1 hour ago Barely Flowing

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Tar River, 0.5 miles away, not on Little Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

72 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Much lower than usual for this time of year

Based on 50 years of record

3.11 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is well below normal for this time of year, so the waterfall may be a trickle.

About This Gauge

USGS 02082585
0.5 miles from waterfall
Drainage: 925 sq mi
Altitude: 53 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge TAR RIVER AT NC 97 AT ROCKY MOUNT, NC (1 km away).

High confidence
Barely Flowing right now
73 cfs
↓ Falling
0000000TodayTomorrowFriSatSunMonTue

Today

Barely Flowing

73 cfs

5/10

Tomorrow

Barely Flowing

67 cfs

5/10

Fri

Barely Flowing

70 cfs

5/10

Sat

Barely Flowing

73 cfs

5/10

Sun

Barely Flowing

75 cfs

5/10

Mon

Barely Flowing

75 cfs

5/10

Tue

Barely Flowing

79 cfs

5/10

Best window: Today — barely flowing flow, mostly sunny (trip score 5/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid February to early April, peaking in March.

How we calculate this

This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.

Know when to go.

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

Is Little Falls Frozen?

Updated about 5 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded

Little Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 75°F to 35°F.

Days below freezing
0 of the last 14
Current cold streak
0 days
Freezing days ahead
0 of the next 7
Flow
80 ft³/s

Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.

Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail.

Weather Forecast

The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR

Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.

Here the descent is spread out: 3-meter lidar measures about 24 feet of drop through Little Falls, stretched along the creek rather than stacked in one wall. The brink sits at about 58 feet above sea level.

The ground changes about 35 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 16 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing northwest, the falls stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Little Falls near Rocky Mount, North Carolina, for comparison with the lidar view LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Little Falls near Rocky Mount, North Carolina, showing about 24 feet of drop, a long cascade, facing northwest
Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Ground elevation
58 feet
Measured by 3-meter lidar
Drop at the falls
About 24 feet
Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces
Northwest
Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.
Ground profile through the falls

A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading northwest).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Elevation

59 feet above sea level

Coordinates

35.959043° N, -77.780811° W

Visitor Tips & Gear

Visit early in the day to avoid crowds, especially during weekends. Wear sturdy shoes as the trail may be slippery after rain. Bring water and snacks, as there are no facilities nearby.

Additional Information

Nearby Attractions

Other nearby attractions may include local hiking trails and scenic viewpoints in the surrounding area.

Wildlife

Visitors may encounter birds, squirrels, and other small wildlife typical of North Carolina forests.

Cities near Little Falls

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