Waterfall Hikes Near Banner Elk, NC

1,234 residents
New York Time Zone
32 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Banner Elk sits high in the Blue Ridge with thirty-two falls inside fifty miles. Laurel Creek Falls is three tenths of a mile in and people swim there. Dutch Creek Falls takes two miles. Jones Falls runs three miles out along the Elk River and earns the extra distance. Dogs do well on most of these trails.

Located at 36.1589°N, -81.8677°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Banner Elk

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

30 of 32 gauged

30 waterfalls near Banner Elk have live flow data today

Abrams Falls Barely Flowing Betseys Rock Falls Barely Flowing Cascade Falls Barely Flowing Long Hope Falls Barely Flowing Big Falls Barely Flowing Big Falls Barely Flowing Dutch Creek Falls Barely Flowing Laurel Creek Falls Barely Flowing Watauga Falls Barely Flowing Blue Sea Falls Barely Flowing Crabtree Falls Barely Flowing Crystal Falls Barely Flowing Falls of Gouges Creek Barely Flowing Grassy Creek Falls Barely Flowing Mitchell Falls Barely Flowing Murphy Falls Barely Flowing Roaring Spout Falls Barely Flowing Upper Falls Barely Flowing Buckeye Falls Barely Flowing Spivey Falls Barely Flowing Carter Falls Low Little Falls Low Coon Den Falls Moderate Jones Falls Moderate Laurel Falls Moderate Douglas Falk Barely Flowing Walker Falls Barely Flowing Linville Falls Barely Flowing Moravian Falls Barely Flowing Silvervale Falls Barely Flowing

Updated about 2 hours ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Tuesday

Mostly Sunny · 71°F

Aft 81°F Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sat 79°F Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sun 73°F Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Lab 66°F Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Tue 71°F Mostly Sunny Best
Wed 74°F Mostly Sunny
Thu 76°F Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Flowing best right now near Banner Elk

Updated about 3 hours ago

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

  1. 1 Laurel Falls Moderate · 885 cfs 72nd percentile
  2. 2 Coon Den Falls Moderate · 885 cfs 72nd percentile
  3. 3 Jones Falls Moderate · 885 cfs 72nd percentile
  4. 4 Little Falls Low · 542 cfs 11th percentile
  5. 5 Carter Falls Low · 542 cfs 11th percentile
  6. 6 Upper Falls Barely Flowing · 37 cfs 6th percentile

Know when to go.

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Find waterfalls to hike near Banner Elk

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🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Banner Elk (3 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.

🐕 Dog-Friendly Waterfall Hikes Around Banner Elk (22 waterfalls)

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

Laurel Creek Falls waterfall

Laurel Creek Falls

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

Big Falls

32.9 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Jones Falls waterfall

Jones Falls

33.7 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
3.0 miles 300 ft
Twisting Falls waterfall

Twisting Falls

34.7 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
1.5 miles 400 ft

All 32 Waterfalls Near Banner Elk

Roaring Spout Falls

39.7 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Spivey Falls waterfall

Spivey Falls

15 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Moravian Falls waterfall

Moravian Falls

22.8 miles away
North Carolina
Drive Up
0.1 miles 50 ft

Buckeye Falls

17 miles away
Tennessee
Hard
8.0 miles 2 ft
Mitchell Falls waterfall

Mitchell Falls

39.2 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Blue Sea Falls waterfall

Blue Sea Falls

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

Walker Falls

23.8 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Abrams Falls waterfall

Abrams Falls

45.9 miles away
Virginia
Moderate
5.0 miles 675 ft

Douglas Falk

26.3 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Little Falls waterfall

Little Falls

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

Big Falls

40.5 miles away
Virginia
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Carter Falls waterfall

Carter Falls

22.1 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
1.5 miles 200 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Banner Elk

Are there free waterfalls near Banner Elk?

There are 23 free waterfalls near Banner Elk, including Betseys Rock Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Banner Elk?

There are 3 easy waterfall hikes near Banner Elk, including Carter Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Banner Elk?

There are 22 dog-friendly waterfalls near Banner Elk, including Betseys Rock Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Banner Elk?

There are 22 kid-friendly waterfalls near Banner Elk, including Abrams Falls.

Can you swim in any waterfalls near Banner Elk?

There are 2 waterfalls that allow swimming near Banner Elk, including Laurel Creek Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Banner Elk?

The shortest waterfall hike near Banner Elk is Abrams Falls at 0.1 miles round trip.

How tall are the waterfalls near Banner Elk?

The tallest waterfall near Banner Elk is Buckeye Falls at 475 feet.

Can I camp near the waterfalls around Banner Elk?

Yes, 32 waterfalls near Banner Elk have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to Banner Elk?

The closest waterfall to Banner Elk is Dutch Creek Falls, approximately 4.8 miles away.

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Where to Stay

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