Roaring Fork Falls: Awesome Waterfall Hike Near Mt Mitchell

Published by Christina. Last Updated on August 22, 2024.

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Roaring Fork Falls NC (aka Roaring Fork Creek Falls) sits at the base of Mount Mitchell in Yancey County (near Burnsville), just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. This 100-foot easy-to-reach cascade is one of our favorite kid-friendly hikes in the area.

Hop off the Parkway and you’ll find this quick hike with beautiful sights and sounds that hold their own against that iconic scenic road. Eventually, you’ll reach a secluded waterfall that’s perfect for a picnic and a jump in the water!

Our guide shares tips to help you reach this wonderful waterfall by car and after you get out.

About Roaring Fork Falls

Trailhead Address: 208 Busick Work Center Rd, Burnsville, NC
Hike Distance: 1.3 miles

The gentle cascade at Roaring Fork Falls

The cascade at Roaring Fork Falls has a gentle flow framed by lush greenery with a calm pool of water at the base. It is only seven miles from Crabtree Falls and off the same road as Setrock Creek Falls (South Toe River Rd).

That makes this one of three Yancey County waterfalls you can easily see in one day.

Driving Directions to Roaring Fork Falls

Cell service is not great while at Roaring Fork Falls, so be sure to know the route before heading out. From the Blue Ridge Parkway at MP 344, drive 2.2 miles north on NC 80.

Setrock Creek Falls near the trailhead for Roaring Creek Falls

When you reach South Toe River Rd, turn left. There will be a sign for Black Mountain Campground, which is the trailhead for Setrock Creek Falls.

Drive across the bridge and turn left toward Busick Work Center. There will be a wooden sign pointing to the left for Roaring Fork Falls. The road ends at the Roaring Fork Falls trailhead, and the entrance to the trail is behind a gate on your right.

By the way, that turn at MP 344 is one of our favorite Blue Ridge Parkway stops.

Leave No Trace (and Don’t Overcrowd)

the trail shortly after Roaring Fork Falls trailhead

When arriving at the Roaring Fork Falls trailhead, you’ll see limited parking, with perhaps enough spaces on the left for five to six cars.

We ask that you not park anywhere beyond these spots and return at another time if the lot is full. Also, we ask you to always keep North Carolina beautiful and pack out everything you bring in.

the scenic trail towards Roaring Fork Falls in the summer

Trash does NOT belong on our trails.

A great step further is to pick up any trash if you see it. That act will help maintain this beautiful trail today and for future generations.

Hiking to Roaring Fork Falls

The hike to Roaring Fork Falls is an easy half-mile, steady climb along a service road.

The trailhead sits just beyond a wire fence, where the road ends. It’s just across from the small parking lot to your right. A sign along the service road will guide you to the falls.

an abandoned bunker near Roaring Fork Falls

During the hike, keep your eyes out for two abandoned concrete buildings on your right. These are former bunkers that were used to store explosives. The doors have been removed for safety reasons, but they are still really cool to look into!

a small wooden bridge in the woods along the trailhead in the summer

The gravel service road will eventually end, and you will cross a bridge to the right. The waterfall is directly ahead after some light dodging of roots and rocks.

Tips for Visiting Roaring Fork Falls

Arrive early because parking is limited. If there aren’t any spaces available, head to Setrock Creek Falls, only 2.5 miles down the road, and occasionally check back for available parking spaces.

fishing with a net at the base of Roaring Fork Falls

the view at the bottom of Roaring Fork Falls cascading down the rocks

Although it is located on a gravel service road, we don’t recommend this trail for strollers or wheelchairs because the gravel is thick and the trail is not maintained.

The elevation gain is gradual enough that our toddler walked it, and we think it’s a great way for you (and your kids) to get some energy out!

Ready to Enjoy Roaring Fork Falls?

Roaring Fork Falls is a secluded waterfall and truly a hidden gem—perfect for a picnic. While it can get busy during the weekends, we were the only people at the waterfall in the middle of the week.

a view of the many levels of Roaring Fork Falls

As hard as we tried, Roaring Fork Falls photos really don’t do this place justice. If you’ve been before, you’ll likely agree. Of course, we’d love to know your thoughts if they differ from ours.

For those who’ve never been before, we’d love to know when you’ll be making your first visit and what you think after spending time at the amazing Roaring Fork Falls!

Nearby Places to Visit

Roaring Creek Falls truly is one of the best waterfalls near Mount Mitchell, but here are a few additional spots you really should get to know near Roaring Fork Falls.

Setrock Creek Falls

Setrock Creek Falls is the closest hike to Roaring Fork Falls. As we mentioned, the two sit off the same road.

It’s about 3 miles down the road from Roaring Fork and the hike to this 75-foot waterfall starts from the Black Mountain Campground. The flat 1-mile round trip is a fairly easy walk through the woods.

Also, you may notice a relatively full parking lot upon arrival, but the hike and falls are surprisingly not as crowded.

Mount Mitchell State Park

Mount Mitchell stands tall at 6,684 feet in elevation and is the highest point east of the Mississippi. Inside this state park (30 minutes away from Roaring Fork), you’ll find trails for all levels of hikers and nature lovers.

One of the most popular ways to enjoy Mount Mitchell is to view the summit from the observation deck for 360-degree views. From the parking area, it is a 1/4-mile paved and accessible trail.

More difficult trails include Deep Gap (8.6 miles round trip) at the picnic area near the summit and Old Mitchell (12 miles round trip), which starts at the Black Mountain Campground we mentioned.

Read More: The North Carolina Bucket List

Crabtree Falls

The area around Crabtree Falls on the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of our favorite sections. However, this waterfall stands out as one of the best in Western North Carolina.

It’s a beautiful 70-foot waterfall and the trailhead sits about 30 minutes away from Roaring Fork Falls.

You’ll reach Crabtree Falls after a 1.6-mile hike through hardwoods and rhododendron-covered paths. In total, the hike is about 2.5 miles.

Arrive early enough and you might have a view of the falls all for yourself.

Linville Falls

Linville Falls is about an hour away and the only non-Yancey County spot we’ll mention, but it’s totally worth a trip. You can see one of North Carolina’s most popular waterfalls via a two-mile round-trip hike.

In fact, you can enjoy three different vantage points of the falls. The Linville Falls Plunge Basin Trail is more difficult but approaches the waterfall from another direction. You’ll arrive at the bottom of the falls, which is really hard to top among views in our state.