Looking Glass Falls, North Carolina Waterfall
When my kids were little we were going to 2 waterfalls per week. Looking Glass Falls and Moore Cove Falls (just right up the road) were the most visited.
Looking Glass Falls is a 60-foot plunge waterfall nestled in the Pisgah National Forest near Brevard in Transylvania County, North Carolina. Its prime location, right off U.S. Highway 276, makes it one of the most accessible and popular waterfalls in the region. The site features a paved walkway and a platform for easy viewing, plus stairs leading down to the creek and plunge pool.
The waterfall—and the creek feeding it—take their name from Looking Glass Rock, a monolithic granite formation known for its ice-covered face that glistens like a mirror in winter.
Pisgah National Forest encompasses half a million acres of wild beauty, hiking trails, rushing rivers, and panoramic mountain views, with Looking Glass Falls as one of its welcoming gateways.
Looking Glass Falls Popularity
Highly photographed and heavily trafficked, the falls attract visitors year-round. If you go first thing in the morning there will be less people. The afternoons are so busy sometimes, you have to park quite a ways away from the enterance.
Caution is advised—there have been injuries and even fatalities from climbing or jumping near the falls.
Virtually effortless to visit: You can admire the falls from your car, then take a short stair walk for a closer look.
Seasonal charm: In warmer months, visitors often wade or swim in the pool below—though they’re cautioned that the rocks are slippery and there are no lifeguards.
Winter transforms the falls into a natural ice sculpture, with solid ice formations perfect for photography or even ice climbing.
250 Waterfalls + White Squirrels
As part of Transylvania County—the “Land of Waterfalls”—Looking Glass Falls is one of over 250 waterfalls in the area. It's a popular stop for those driving the scenic US 276 Heritage Byway, which winds between Brevard and the Blue Ridge Parkway. These are some of the nearby attractions:
A natural water slide that’s a favorite summer tradition. Open during set hours in the warmer months, it does require a small admission fee, but the thrill of sliding down smooth rock into a refreshing mountain pool is well worth it.
Kid-friendly hike to a very high waterfall that you can walk under. On the left side you can hike up to the stream feeding the waterfall.
Discovery Falls, Log Hollow Falls, Upper Log Hollow Falls, and Logging Road Falls
Each offers its own charm, from the delicate cascades of Discovery Falls to the lush, moss-lined setting of Log Hollow and its upper companion. Logging Road Falls adds to the adventure, rewarding visitors willing to wander a bit farther off the beaten path.
Double cascade where two streams spill side by side into a mossy gorge. The moderate hike to the falls offers a rewarding mix of lush forest trails, creek crossings, and scenic overlooks. Often called one of the most beautiful waterfalls near Brevard.
Brevard has a large community of wild white squirrels. Some of the hot spots to potentially see the squirells are: Brevard College, Silvermont, and Franklin Park.
Suggested Itinerary for The Day at Looking Glass Falls
These waterfalls don’t have addresses and the GPS doesn’t work in Pisgan Forrest so I recommend printing this map.
Morning: Looking Glass Falls - no hiking - plan for 1 hour
Mid Morning: Moore Cove Falls - 1.5 miles hike - plan for 2 hours
Early Afternoon: Picnic Lunch - plan for 1 hour
Early Afternoon: Sliding Rock - no hiking - plan for 2 hours if you want to slide down the rock
Mid Afternoon: Discovery Falls, Log Hollow Falls, Upper Log Hollow Falls, and Logging Road Falls - 2.6 mile hike - plan for 2 hours
Evening: Head Home
Let Us Know
Have you been to this waterfall? Share your thoughts in the comments below—I’d love to hear your experience!
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