Waterfall Hikes Near Fontana Dam, NC

11 residents
New York Time Zone
66 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Looking for the best waterfalls to hike near Fontana Dam? There are 66 waterfall hiking trails within a 50-mile radius of Fontana Dam. These trails range from drive_up to moderate difficulty, providing options for both casual hikers and experienced adventurers looking to explore the region's natural beauty.

Located at 35.4328°N, -83.8248°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Fontana Dam

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

66 of 66 gauged

1 of 66 waterfalls near Fontana Dam is flowing strongly today

Abrams Falls Barely Flowing Anna Ruby Falls Low Dukes Creek Falls Low Bald River Falls Moderate Bullet Creek Falls Moderate Bemis Camp Falls Barely Flowing Big Falls Barely Flowing Leatherwood Falls Barely Flowing Middle Falls Barely Flowing Santeetlah Bluff Falls Barely Flowing Sassafras Falls Barely Flowing Upper Falls Barely Flowing Stewart Falls Barely Flowing Benton Falls Moderate Berties Falls Barely Flowing Betsy Falls Moderate Fairfield Falls Moderate High Falls Moderate Maidenhair Falls Moderate Onion Cliff Falls Moderate Onion Falls Moderate Slatten Falls Moderate Twin Falls Moderate Thurston Hatcher Falls Moderate Bridal Veil Falls Barely Flowing Burningtown Falls Barely Flowing Cullasaja Falls Barely Flowing Dry Falls Barely Flowing Glen Falls Barely Flowing Highlands Falls Barely Flowing Satulah Falls Barely Flowing Courthouse Falls Barely Flowing Dill Falls Barely Flowing Lower Vernal Falls Barely Flowing Second Falls Barely Flowing Yellowstone Falls Barely Flowing Woodfin Falls Barely Flowing Upper Vernal Falls Barely Flowing Upper Falls Barely Flowing DeSoto Falls Low Helton Creek Falls Low High Water Falls Low Nottely Falls Low Dismal Falls Low Schoolhouse Falls Low Estatoah Falls Low Wilson Falls Low Timpson Falls Low Flat Creek Falls Barely Flowing Grotto Falls Barely Flowing Laurel Falls Barely Flowing Rainbow Falls Barely Flowing Ramsey Cascades Barely Flowing Wilson Falls Barely Flowing Haynes Falls Barely Flowing Horsetrough Falls Barely Flowing High Falls Barely Flowing Sea Creek Falls Barely Flowing Kennedy Falls Moderate Lower Falls Moderate Queens Falls Moderate Little Creek Falls Low Mingo Falls Low Mouse Creek Falls Barely Flowing Stekoa Falls Low Soco Falls Strong

Updated about 1 hour ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Wednesday

Mostly Sunny · 89°F

Aft 92°F Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sat 92°F Patchy Fog then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sun 90°F Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Lab 86°F Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Tue 88°F Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Wed 89°F Mostly Sunny Best
Thu 90°F Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Flowing best right now near Fontana Dam

Updated about 1 hour ago

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

  1. 1 Soco Falls Strong · 553 cfs 81st percentile
  2. 2 Kennedy Falls Moderate · 652 cfs 66th percentile
  3. 3 Lower Falls Moderate · 652 cfs 66th percentile
  4. 4 Queens Falls Moderate · 652 cfs 66th percentile
  5. 5 High Falls Moderate · 79 cfs 49th percentile
  6. 6 Thurston Hatcher Falls Moderate · 79 cfs 49th percentile

Know when to go.

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Find waterfalls to hike near Fontana Dam

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🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Fontana Dam (14 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.

Lower Falls waterfall

Lower Falls

30.9 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
0.5 miles 100 ft

🐕 Dog-Friendly Waterfall Hikes Around Fontana Dam (38 waterfalls)

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

Santeetlah Bluff Falls

35.4 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Bemis Camp Falls

35.1 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft

All 66 Waterfalls Near Fontana Dam

Lower Falls waterfall

Lower Falls

30.9 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
0.5 miles 100 ft
Abrams Falls waterfall

Abrams Falls

27.2 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
5.0 miles 675 ft
Stewart Falls waterfall

Stewart Falls

35.3 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Santeetlah Bluff Falls

35.4 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Bemis Camp Falls

35.1 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Kennedy Falls waterfall

Kennedy Falls

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

Big Falls

43.1 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Sassafras Falls

42.6 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Queens Falls waterfall

Queens Falls

23.6 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.5 miles 300 ft
Middle Falls waterfall

Middle Falls

43.5 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
4.5 miles 400 ft
Upper Falls waterfall

Upper Falls

44.5 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
0.5 miles 100 ft
Leatherwood Falls waterfall

Leatherwood Falls

43.7 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Bald River Falls waterfall

Bald River Falls

28.5 miles away
Tennessee
Drive Up
0.1 miles 50 ft
Laurel Falls waterfall

Laurel Falls

36 miles away
Tennessee
Easy
2.6 miles 314 ft
Wilson Falls waterfall

Wilson Falls

15.6 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Little Creek Falls waterfall

Little Creek Falls

24.4 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Berties Falls waterfall

Berties Falls

31.4 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Burningtown Falls waterfall

Burningtown Falls

25.5 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Haynes Falls waterfall CC

Haynes Falls

22.3 miles away
Georgia
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Rainbow Falls waterfall

Rainbow Falls

41.2 miles away
Tennessee
Hard
5.4 miles 800 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Fontana Dam

Are there free waterfalls near Fontana Dam?

There are 36 free waterfalls near Fontana Dam, including Bald River Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Fontana Dam?

There are 14 easy waterfall hikes near Fontana Dam, including Anna Ruby Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Fontana Dam?

There are 38 dog-friendly waterfalls near Fontana Dam, including Anna Ruby Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Fontana Dam?

There are 42 kid-friendly waterfalls near Fontana Dam, including Abrams Falls.

Can you swim in any waterfalls near Fontana Dam?

There are 4 waterfalls that allow swimming near Fontana Dam, including Courthouse Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Fontana Dam?

The shortest waterfall hike near Fontana Dam is Abrams Falls at 0.1 miles round trip.

How tall are the waterfalls near Fontana Dam?

The tallest waterfall near Fontana Dam is Cullasaja Falls at 250 feet.

Can I camp near the waterfalls around Fontana Dam?

Yes, 66 waterfalls near Fontana Dam have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to Fontana Dam?

The closest waterfall to Fontana Dam is Lower Falls, approximately 7.3 miles away.

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Where to Stay

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