Hot Springs, Waterfalls and Swimming Holes in North Carolina
North Carolina has 1 hot spring, 11 waterfalls, and 2 swimming holes on record. 2 are free to visit. 2 are closed to swimming or soaking, listed below; each place page has any warning on file.
Where you can't swim or soak
- Catawba Falls waterfall Seasonal closure: Upper viewing platform and Wildflower Trail remain closed following Hurricane Helene; additional repairs through spring and summer. Follow posted signage.
- Courthouse Falls waterfall Seasonal closure: Courthouse Creek Road (FSR 140) temporarily closed to motor vehicles; non-motorized use allowed. USFS: closure adds about 5 miles roundtrip to reach the falls.
- Crabtree Falls waterfall No swimming
- Linville Falls waterfall No swimming
- Sliding Rock waterfall Seasonal closure: May close day-of for lightning, heavy rain, or high water. Lifeguards and restrooms only Memorial Day through Labor Day.
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Closure or warning on file Sliding Rock Transylvania County 60 ft -
Closure or warning on file Looking Glass Falls Transylvania County 60 ft -
Closure or warning on file Whitewater Falls Transylvania County 411 ft -
Closure or warning on file Dry Falls Macon County 75 ft -
Closure or warning on file Rainbow Falls Transylvania County 150 ft -
Closure or warning on file Linville Falls Burke County 45 ft
Every place, on the map
- No closure on file
- Closed, or no soaking or swimming
No places match.
| Name | Kind | Access | Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Development Waterfall | Access 3.5 mi hike (round trip), paved road | Fee – | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| Development Waterfall | Access 0.3 mi hike, gravel road | Fee – | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| Development Waterfall | Access 2.5 mi hike (round trip), paved road | Fee – | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| Development Waterfall | Access 0.1 mi hike, paved road | Fee $3 per vehicle day-use; $15 annual pass (also valid at Whiteside Mountain and Whitewater Falls) | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| Development Hot spring | Access paved road | Fee Standard mineral bath $50/60 min (2 people before 6pm); $60 after 6pm; +$10 per extra person | Status No closure on file | |
| Development Waterfall | Access 1.6 mi hike (round trip), paved road | Fee – | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| Development Waterfall | Access paved road | Fee None | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| Development Waterfall | Access 0.7 mi hike, paved road | Fee Free (NPS place page lists no entrance fee for Moore Cove Falls). | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| Development Waterfall | Access paved road | Fee No day-use fee for Gorges State Park access. | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| Development Waterfall | Access 0.8 mi hike, paved road | Fee No Blue Ridge Parkway entrance fee. | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| Development Waterfall | Access paved road | Fee $6 per person daily when staffed; ages 5 and under free. Cash and credit accepted. | Status Closure or warning on file | |
| Development Waterfall | Access paved road | Fee $3 per vehicle day-use; $15 annual pass (also valid at Dry Falls and Whiteside Mountain) | Status Closure or warning on file |
Photo credits (11)
- Catawba Falls: Korlandella, CC0
- Courthouse Falls: Kadoka1, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Crabtree Falls: Wncoutdoors, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Dry Falls: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Linville Falls: P. Hughes, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Looking Glass Falls: Bill McMannis, CC BY 2.0
- Moore Cove Falls: Urban Versis 32, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Rainbow Falls: Wncoutdoors, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Skinny Dip Falls: Jason D. Layne, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sliding Rock: USDAgov, Public domain
- Whitewater Falls: P. Hughes, CC BY-SA 4.0