Moravian Falls
North Carolina • 35 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
The falls is on private campground property. View it from Falls Road, or ask permission at the campground office before walking to the falls; swimming near or above the falls is not allowed.
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Drive Up
Trail Length
0.1 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Moravian Falls
Moravian Falls is a cascade and slide of about 35 to 42 feet on Moravian Creek in the town of Moravian Falls, Wilkes County, North Carolina. The falls is owned by Moravian Falls Campground, which has built a replica mill beside it. You can see it from Falls Road, and the campground asks visitors who want to walk closer to check in at the camp store or office first.
The Setting
Moravian Falls sits at 1,112 feet in the foothills of North Carolina. The falls drop 35 feet.
Height: 35 feet
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
No hiking required. Moravian Falls is accessible by vehicle with a roadside viewing area.
Trail Description
There is no trail. The falls is visible from Falls Road, and with the campground's permission you can take a short walk on campground property for a closer view.
What to Expect
The falls drop 35 feet.
Accessibility
This waterfall is viewable from a vehicle-accessible area. No hiking is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Moravian Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Moravian Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and fall are ideal times to visit due to the pleasant weather and vibrant foliage. Summer is also a good time, but the area may be busier.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Be cautious when parking along the roadside, as traffic may be present. Do not attempt to climb on or near the waterfall as it is on private property.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Yadkin River, 5.2 miles away, not on Moravian Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
396 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 64 years of record
2.27 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 YADKIN RIVER AT WILKESBORO, NC (8 km away).
Today
Moderate
396 cfs
8/10Tomorrow
Moderate
403 cfs
8/10Fri
Moderate
395 cfs
8/10Sat
Moderate
404 cfs
8/10Sun
Moderate
411 cfs
8/10Mon
Moderate
403 cfs
8/10Tue
Moderate
388 cfs
8/10Best window: Today — moderate flow, sunny (trip score 8/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late 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 Moravian Falls hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Moravian Falls Frozen?
Updated about 9 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded strong flow slows freezing
Moravian Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 72°F to 43°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 396 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: 1-meter lidar measures about 130 feet of drop through Moravian Falls, stretched along the creek rather than stacked in one wall. That is more than the listed 35 feet because the gorge keeps dropping below the falls themselves. The brink sits at about 1,124 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 98 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 46 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing north, 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
- 1,124 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 130 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- North
- 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 north).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
From Wilkesboro, take NC 16/18 south into the town of Moravian Falls, bear right to stay on NC 18, and after about 0.4 mile turn left onto Falls Road. The falls is on the left about 0.5 mile ahead.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
There is no public parking lot. Do not slow down or stop in the road to look at the falls, and do not block campground driveways.
Elevation
1,112 feet above sea level
Coordinates
36.085837° N, -81.190175° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
Since the waterfall is on private property, visitors should respect the landowner's privacy and avoid trespassing. Be cautious when parking along the roadside.
Where to Stay
Hampton Inn Wilkesboro
Red Roof Inn & Suites Wilkesboro
Holiday Inn Express Wilkesboro By IHG
Quality Inn near Speedway
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby Campground
BERRY MOUNTAIN PARK SHELTER
3.7 miles away · 1 sites
Overview Berry Mountain Park Shelter is located in Berry Mountain Park at W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir in northwestern North Carolina.Recreation The 1,475-acre reservoir offers excellent boating, canoeing, kayaking and swimming opportunities. Anglers will find channel catfish, large and smallmouth bass, bluegill, threadfin shad, spotted bass, striped bass, and hybrid striped bass.Facilities This ADA-accessible lakefront shelter offers six, 8-foot picnic tables. A water spigot can be found at t
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Nearby attractions include Stone Mountain State Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway, both offering additional scenic views and hiking opportunities.
Wildlife
The area around Moravian Falls may feature common North Carolina wildlife such as birds and small mammals.
Cities near Moravian Falls
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