Waterfall Hikes Near Bristol, VA

17,036 residents
New York Time Zone
28 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Bristol straddles the Tennessee line, and its waterfall map does too, with twenty-eight falls within fifty miles, many of them south and east toward Watauga Lake and across into North Carolina. Laurel Fork Falls, listed here as Laurel Falls, is a 40 foot drop about 1.3 miles up the Appalachian Trail from the Dennis Cove trailhead, roughly 2.6 miles round trip. Gentry Creek Falls near Laurel Bloomery is a two-tiered drop at the end of about 4.6 miles round trip, with 13 or 14 creek crossings on stepping stones. Twisting Falls on the Elk River is reached by an unofficial path that loses over 400 feet in about a quarter mile, so treat it as a scramble rather than an easy swim stop.

Located at 36.6181°N, -82.1604°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Bristol

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

26 of 28 gauged

3 of 26 waterfalls near Bristol are flowing strongly today

Abrams Falls Moderate Betseys Rock Falls Barely Flowing Cascade Falls Barely Flowing Long Hope Falls Barely Flowing Big Falls Moderate Tank Hollow Falls Moderate 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 Crabtree Falls Barely Flowing Buckeye Falls Moderate Spivey Falls Moderate Coon Den Falls Strong Jones Falls Strong Laurel Falls Strong Linville Falls Barely Flowing Monkey Falls Low

Updated about 2 hours ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Monday

Sunny · 60°F

Aft 70°F Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Thu 72°F Chance Rain Showers
Fri 68°F Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Sat 57°F Mostly Sunny
Sun 58°F Mostly Sunny
Mon 60°F Sunny Best
Tue 64°F Sunny

Flowing best right now near Bristol

Updated about 2 hours ago

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

  1. 1 Laurel Falls Strong · 808 cfs 84th percentile
  2. 2 Jones Falls Strong · 808 cfs 84th percentile
  3. 3 Coon Den Falls Strong · 808 cfs 84th percentile
  4. 4 Tank Hollow Falls Moderate · 161 cfs 35th percentile
  5. 5 Big Falls Moderate · 161 cfs 35th percentile
  6. 6 Abrams Falls Moderate · 12 cfs 31st percentile

Know when to go.

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Find waterfalls to hike near Bristol

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🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Bristol (8 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.

Tank Hollow Falls waterfall

Tank Hollow Falls

16 miles away
Virginia
Easy
1.5 miles Unknown
Big Falls waterfall

Big Falls

21.4 miles away
Virginia
Easy
2.4 miles Unknown

🐕 Dog-Friendly Waterfall Hikes Around Bristol (16 waterfalls)

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

Laurel Falls waterfall

Laurel Falls

17.9 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.3 miles 300 ft
LiDAR terrain view around Coon Den Falls in Tennessee, about 338 feet of drop LiDAR

Coon Den Falls

19.6 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.6 miles 500 ft

All 28 Waterfalls Near Bristol

Abrams Falls waterfall

Abrams Falls

6.9 miles away
Virginia
Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Tank Hollow Falls waterfall

Tank Hollow Falls

16 miles away
Virginia
Easy
1.5 miles Unknown
Monkey Falls waterfall

Monkey Falls

16.5 miles away
Virginia
Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Laurel Falls waterfall

Laurel Falls

17.9 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.3 miles 300 ft
LiDAR terrain view around Coon Den Falls in Tennessee, about 338 feet of drop LiDAR

Coon Den Falls

19.6 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.6 miles 500 ft
Big Falls waterfall

Big Falls

21.4 miles away
Virginia
Easy
2.4 miles Unknown
Gentry Creek Falls waterfall CC

Gentry Creek Falls

21.7 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
4.5 miles 500 ft
Twisting Falls waterfall

Twisting Falls

26.8 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
1.5 miles 400 ft
Jones Falls waterfall

Jones Falls

27.8 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
3.0 miles 300 ft
Big Falls waterfall

Big Falls

28.6 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
0.5 miles Unknown
LiDAR terrain view around Watauga Falls in North Carolina, about 142 feet of drop LiDAR

Watauga Falls

30.8 miles away
North Carolina
Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Laurel Creek Falls waterfall

Laurel Creek Falls

30.9 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
0.3 miles Unknown
Long Hope Falls waterfall

Long Hope Falls

33.6 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
4.5 miles 800 ft
Dutch Creek Falls waterfall

Dutch Creek Falls

36.8 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.0 miles Unknown
LiDAR terrain view around Falls of Gouges Creek in North Carolina, about 155 feet of drop LiDAR

Falls of Gouges Creek

36.8 miles away
North Carolina
Unknown
Unknown Unknown
LiDAR terrain view around Murphy Falls in North Carolina, about 161 feet of drop LiDAR

Murphy Falls

38.2 miles away
North Carolina
Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Crabtree Falls waterfall

Crabtree Falls

38.2 miles away
North Carolina
Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Crystal Falls waterfall

Crystal Falls

38.7 miles away
North Carolina
Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Crabtree Falls waterfall

Crabtree Falls

39.4 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.5 miles Unknown
LiDAR terrain view around Roaring Spout Falls in North Carolina, about 273 feet of drop LiDAR

Roaring Spout Falls

39.6 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
Unknown Unknown

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Bristol

Are there free waterfalls near Bristol?

There are 22 free waterfalls near Bristol, including Abrams Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Bristol?

There are 8 easy waterfall hikes near Bristol, including Betseys Rock Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Bristol?

There are 16 dog-friendly waterfalls near Bristol, including Betseys Rock Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Bristol?

There are 19 kid-friendly waterfalls near Bristol, including Abrams Falls.

Can you swim in any waterfalls near Bristol?

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

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Bristol?

The shortest waterfall hike near Bristol is Big Falls at 0.3 miles round trip.

How tall are the waterfalls near Bristol?

The tallest waterfall near Bristol is Buckeye Falls at 475 feet.

Can I camp near the waterfalls around Bristol?

Yes, 28 waterfalls near Bristol have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to Bristol?

The closest waterfall to Bristol is Abrams Falls, approximately 6.9 miles away.

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Nearby Hot Springs

Hot springs near Bristol, Virginia

Hot Springs

Hot Springs

63.4 mi 108°F

Hot Springs surfaces at 108 degrees Fahrenheit in the town of Hot Springs, Madison County, North Carolina, near Marshall. At ju...

Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Bristol, Virginia on SoakingSprings.

Explore Virginia springs

Where to Stay

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