I Discovered My New Favorite Waterfall, And It's Hiding Right Here In North Carolina
By Chris Dodge|Published May 22, 2024
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Chris Dodge
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My name is Chris Dodge and I live right here in the great state of Tennessee. My family and I are full adventurers filled with passion to see the amazing things our state has to offer. We are avid hikers and have explored many different places in Tennessee and beyond but we are always thankful to be living in such a glorious state.
I am an avid waterfall chaser and always looking for waterfalls near me. Whether I am hiking in a national park like the Great Smoky Mountains or am taking a scenic drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, I am always in search of a good waterfall – a cascade that makes you feel at peace and revives your spirit. That is precisely what I discovered as we rolled up to Looking Glass Falls. With pure natural beauty, this may be my new favorite waterfall in North Carolina.
From outstanding overlooks to terrific trails, the Blue Ridge Mountains are teeming with wonders any nature lover will fall head over heels for. The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of my favorite places in North Carolina to explore with my family, and I suggest it to anyone who is looking for a simple scenic drive or an epic hike.
On a recent weekend drive with my family along the Blue Ridge Parkway – where we were hoping to get out of the car and explore – we discovered a wondrous waterfall.
Looking Glass Falls isn’t technically on the Blue Ridge Parkway but is located in the Pisgah National Forest. Luckily, it is a short detour, if you are traveling through this marvelous mountain pass.
Some waterfalls I have experienced in North Carolina require a hike to get to – like Crabtree Falls or Mingo Falls, which are two more of my favorites – but Looking Glass Falls does not. Simply park along the road and descend a set of stairs to get to the base of the falls.
This is a popular spot and because there is no official parking lot, you might have trouble finding a spot. On the busy Saturday afternoon we visited, we had to circle around, but because most people move on fairly quickly, we didn't have to wait long for a spot to open up.
If you don't want to walk down the stairs, you can even witness the splendor right from your car. There are also a few spots to stop and take in the view as you traverse the steps. I personally want to get as close as possible, and that means getting out onto the rocks.
Climbing over a few rocks, I arrived at the base of Looking Glass Falls – my favorite place to truly experience a waterfall. The view from below is breathtaking. I felt the mist pelting my skin as I cleaned off my lens – multiple times – to get a good video of the rushing waters. The mighty roar of the flowing falls created an intense wind that could only be fully felt on the rock island at the base.
My daughters and I loved the feeling of misted wind. I thought it was going to even knock my youngest daughter off her feet. We laughed and had the greatest time watching this impressive waterfall, making it one of my new favorites.
If you too are an avid waterfall chaser, then right down the road is another must-see waterfall. Moore Cove Falls is a simple, 1-mile hike that leads you to a tall 50-foot waterfall.
The flowing water of this waterfall isn’t as intense as Looking Glass Falls, but you can walk behind the falls in a cave-like rock formation. There is something magical about walking behind a waterfall, and because of its proximity, this is a great addition to your Looking Glass Falls excursion.
If you love waterfalls as much as I do, Looking Glass Falls deserves a spot on your list. Stop by the next time you find yourself exploring the Pisgah National Forest. Because there is no hiking required, it is a great spot to bring the whole family!
One of our favorite waterfall-chasing companions is AllTrails+. Not only can you download trail details, but you can also keep track of where you are on your hike. If you are interested in our trip to Looking Glass Falls, check out our Adventuring in the Moment video when we visited the area.
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