Mitchell Falls
North Carolina • 25 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainNo public access
Mitchell Falls isn't open to the public. There's no public trail or parking, so please don't trespass or park at neighboring properties. See public waterfalls nearby.
Mitchell Falls is on private property with no public access. Guides report that permission is very unlikely and trespassers may be prosecuted, so do not try to reach it from Mount Mitchell State Park.
Photo Credits (5)
About Mitchell Falls
Height: 25 feet
Nearby Falls Worth Visiting
Crabtree Falls (70 ft) lies 8.1 miles to the east. Also nearby: Walker Falls (45 ft, 4.2 mi).
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Mitchell Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Mitchell Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on South Toe River, 6.8 miles away, not on Mitchell Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
74 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 69 years of record
0.84 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average for this time of year.
About This Gauge
This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge SOUTH TOE RIVER NEAR CELO, NC (11 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
74 cfs
5/10Tomorrow
Low
78 cfs
4/10Fri
Low
79 cfs
4/10Sat
Low
75 cfs
6/10Sun
Barely Flowing
73 cfs
5/10Mon
Barely Flowing
72 cfs
5/10Tue
Barely Flowing
86 cfs
5/10Best window: Sat — low flow, mostly sunny (trip score 6/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late February to early May, peaking in April.
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 Montreat hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Mitchell Falls Frozen?
Updated about 4 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded 1 more freezing day forecast
Mitchell Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 59°F to 40°F. 1 freezing day are forecast, so ice may start to form.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 1 of the next 7
- Flow
- 74 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.
1-meter lidar measures about 211 feet of descent through Mitchell Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. That is more than the listed 25 feet because the gorge keeps dropping below the falls themselves. The brink sits at about 4,962 feet above sea level.
Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 314 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 343 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing northeast, the falls stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 4,962 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 211 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Northeast
- Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading northeast).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Hours
Elevation
4,957 feet above sea level
Coordinates
35.774005° N, -82.283734° W
Where to Stay
Apt with Wraparound Deck and Epic Views in Burnsville!
The Farmhouse at Wolfehaven
Ruth's Place Tiny Home Retreat 1 mile to town
Forest-View Balcony and Trail Access! Burnsville Gem
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Nearby Campground
BRIAR BOTTOM GROUP CAMPGROUND
3.8 miles away · 6 sites
Overview Briar Bottom Group Campground is the perfect getaway for visitors to enjoy mountain scenery and easy access to hiking trails. The campground sits at the base of Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River, in Pisgah National Forest.Recreation With the South Toe River located near the campground, visitors will have no shortage of things to do, including picnicking, day hiking, scenic driving and trout fishing. Hikers will be pleased with a variety of trails from which to
Book on Recreation.govNearby Hot Springs
Hot springs near Swannanoa, North Carolina
Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Swannanoa, North Carolina on SoakingSprings.
Explore North Carolina springsAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Nearby attractions include the Blue Ridge Parkway, Mount Mitchell State Park, and other waterfalls in the Pisgah National Forest.
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, deer, and small mammals. Be cautious of snakes and other potentially hazardous animals.
Cities near Mitchell Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
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