18 North Carolina Waterfall Hikes Your Dog Will Love
Picture your dog bounding down a forest trail, nose twitching, tail spinning like a helicopter. North Carolina is loaded with jaw-dropping waterfalls tucked inside some of the most beautiful landscapes on the East Coast.
From towering 400-foot cascades to hidden swimming holes, these falls reward every muddy paw and tired boot. Pack the leash, fill the water bottles, and get ready for an adventure your pup will never stop talking about.
1. Hickory Nut Falls, Chimney Rock State Park
Standing 404 feet tall, Hickory Nut Falls near Chimney Rock, NC is one of the highest waterfalls east of the Mississippi. Your leashed dog is welcome on the Hickory Nut Falls Trail, an easy 1.5-mile round-trip through shaded woodland.
Movie fans will love knowing this roaring cascade appeared in the 1992 film “The Last of the Mohicans.” An admission fee is required to enter Chimney Rock State Park, so plan ahead.
2. Linville Falls (Erwin’s View Trail), Blue Ridge Parkway
Linville Falls is arguably North Carolina’s most photographed waterfall, and one look from Erwin’s View explains exactly why. The falls drop 90 feet into the wild Linville Gorge, and the 1.6-mile round-trip trail passes four distinct overlooks.
Leashed dogs are welcome on this moderate hike near Milepost 316.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Check current trail access before heading out, as some sections are still recovering from Hurricane Helene damage.
3. Triple Falls, DuPont State Recreational Forest
Triple Falls in DuPont State Recreational Forest near Cedar Mountain, NC gives you something most waterfalls never do: a flat rock platform right in the middle of the action. The 120-foot cascade drops in three distinct tiers, and leashed dogs are absolutely welcome.
The hike can be as short as one mile round-trip from the Hooker Falls parking area. Stay behind the cable barrier for safety, especially with excited four-legged companions nearby.
4. Hooker Falls, DuPont State Recreational Forest
Short on height but huge on fun, Hooker Falls in DuPont State Recreational Forest near Pisgah Forest, NC is one of the rare spots where swimming is officially permitted. The 12-foot waterfall spills into a broad, calm pool that is basically a dream come true for any water-loving dog.
Getting here is refreshingly simple. The trail from the parking area is only 0.75 miles round-trip, making it a perfect warm-up stop before tackling longer hikes nearby.
5. Dry Falls, Nantahala National Forest
Walking behind a waterfall sounds like something from a fantasy novel, but Dry Falls in Nantahala National Forest makes it real. Located about three miles west of Highlands, NC on US Highway 64, this 75-foot falls has a wide overhanging cliff that keeps walkers surprisingly dry.
A short paved trail leads down from the parking area, and leashed dogs are welcome. An accessible observation platform near the lot means even visitors with mobility challenges can enjoy the view.
6. Glen Falls, Nantahala National Forest
Glen Falls near Highlands, NC is a triple-tiered masterpiece tucked inside Nantahala National Forest. The upper tier drops 70 feet, the middle drops 60 feet, and each has its own observation deck for a front-row seat.
The 1.7-mile round-trip hike goes downhill on the way in, which means the climb back out will test your legs. Leashed dogs can join the adventure, though the elevation change may challenge smaller or older pups.
Autumn visits are especially spectacular here.
7. Crabtree Falls, Blue Ridge Parkway
Crabtree Falls near Marion, NC sits at Milepost 339.5 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and its 70-foot drop through a rocky forest bowl is genuinely worth the moderate hike. The loop trail runs 2.5 to 3 miles through some lovely mountain terrain.
Leashed dogs are welcome on the Crabtree Falls Loop Trail. As of mid-2026, the falls are closed due to Hurricane Helene damage, so check the Blue Ridge Parkway website for the latest reopening updates before you go.
8. Tom’s Creek Falls, Marion
Tom’s Creek Falls near Marion, NC is the kind of place that feels like a well-kept local secret. The multi-cascade waterfall drops 60 to 80 feet over layered rock, and a newer observation deck frames the whole scene beautifully.
The gravel trail is only about one mile round-trip, making it easy for families and dogs of all fitness levels. History buffs will enjoy knowing that old mica mines still sit near the base of the falls.
Leashed dogs are warmly welcomed.
9. Elk River Falls, Roan Mountain
Known locally as Big Falls, Elk River Falls near Elk Park, NC is one of the most rewarding quick stops in Pisgah National Forest. The 50-foot waterfall drops into a gorgeous oval pool, and a five-minute walk brings you to the top of the falls.
A steeper trail descends to the base for those wanting a closer look. The pool below is a popular summer swimming spot, but strong currents near the main plunge are real.
Pisgah National Forest generally welcomes leashed dogs on its trails.
10. Catawba Falls, Pisgah National Forest
Catawba Falls near Old Fort, NC returned in 2024 after a major trail renovation that added new stairs, overlooks, and a proper observation tower. The multi-tiered waterfall totals roughly 100 feet, and the full loop to both upper and lower falls covers 3.5 miles.
Reaching the lower falls is easy. The upper falls involve 580 stairs, so pace yourself and your pup.
Pets on leashes no longer than six feet are welcome, though they are not allowed in swim areas. A small parking fee applies.
11. Upper Whitewater Falls, Nantahala National Forest
At 411 feet, Upper Whitewater Falls in Jackson County, NC holds the title of the tallest waterfall east of the Rockies. That is not a small claim, and seeing it in person makes every step feel earned.
A short paved walkway leads to the upper overlook, and 154 steps take you down to a second, closer viewpoint. Dogs are welcome on the trails.
Picnic tables, restrooms, and a large parking area are on-site. A small fee is typically charged at the entrance.
12. Secret Falls, Nantahala National Forest
Also called Big Shoals Falls, Secret Falls near Highlands, NC earns its mysterious nickname by hiding down a remote forest road in Nantahala National Forest. The 50-foot cascade on Big Creek drops into a calm, inviting pool that draws swimmers and explorers alike.
The hike is an easy half-mile, and leashed dogs are welcome. The Forest Service has recently added it to the trail system as Big Shoals Trail 402, with new bridges and a staircase making the approach much safer and more enjoyable.
13. Graveyard Fields Lower Falls, Blue Ridge Parkway
Graveyard Fields at Milepost 418.8 on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Brevard, NC is one of those places that looks like it belongs in a painting. The open, low-shrub landscape is the result of a massive wildfire from the early 1900s, and it gives the area a hauntingly beautiful feel.
The Lower Falls sit along an easy 1.3-mile loop with boardwalks, stairs, and bridges. Leashed dogs are welcome on the pet-friendly trail, and summer visitors can pick wild blueberries along the way.
14. High Falls, DuPont State Recreational Forest
High Falls in DuPont State Recreational Forest near Cedar Mountain, NC is the showstopper of the forest’s famous waterfall trio. At 150 feet, it commands attention, and the historic covered bridge near the base adds a genuinely charming touch that makes photographers very happy.
Most hikers combine High Falls with Triple Falls and Hooker Falls for a full forest day. The High Falls parking area has a visitor center and restrooms.
Leashed dogs are welcome throughout, so the whole crew can come along.
15. Looking Glass Falls, Pisgah National Forest
Pull off US Highway 276 near Brevard, NC and Looking Glass Falls is right there, full and thundering, requiring zero hiking to appreciate. The 60-foot block waterfall drops into Looking Glass Creek, and a street-level overlook is fully wheelchair accessible.
Steps lead down to the pool below for those wanting to wade in when water flow allows. Leashed dogs are permitted, and the whole stop can take as little as 20 minutes.
The waterfall is named for nearby Looking Glass Rock, whose wet face mirrors sunlight like a polished surface.
16. Roaring Fork Falls, Busick
Roaring Fork Falls near Busick, NC zips and zigzags down a narrow rocky slide in a way that looks almost playful. The cascade runs 50 to 100 feet through lush rhododendron and boulders, creating a sheltered, mossy scene your dog will absolutely want to sniff every inch of.
Located in Pisgah National Forest off NC Highway 80, the trail is an easy 0.5 to 1.4-mile round-trip along a flat old forest road. It reopened in May 2025 after Hurricane Helene repairs.
Leashed dogs are welcome.
17. Douglas Falls, Pisgah National Forest
Douglas Falls near Barnardsville, NC offers something genuinely rare: the chance to slip behind a waterfall and watch the world through a curtain of falling water. The 60 to 70-foot cascade in Pisgah National Forest’s Big Ivy area is best visited after a good rain for maximum flow.
The shorter access route is a 0.5-mile downhill walk from the end of Forest Service Road 74. Leashed dogs are welcome.
Check current conditions before visiting, as the area sustained post-hurricane damage and closures were reported through late 2025.
18. Second Falls (Graveyard Fields Upper Falls), Blue Ridge Parkway
Second Falls, also called Graveyard Fields Upper Falls, sits in the same beloved high-elevation basin as the Lower Falls near Brevard, NC at Milepost 418.8 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The easy 3.2-mile loop trail connects both waterfalls through open meadows full of wildflowers.
June visits are especially magical when rhododendrons burst into bloom along every trail edge. Leashed dogs are welcome in this family-friendly area, and summer swimming holes along the creek make the whole loop feel like a reward at every turn.
