A 404-foot waterfall on Fall Creek in Chimney Rock State Park, one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River. The Hickory Nut Falls Trail climbs gently to the base over rocky terrain and a short set of stairs.
Its 404 ft drop is taller than about 96% of the 775 waterfalls we track.
Hickory Nut Falls sits on Fall Creek. It lies in Rutherford, North Carolina. The site is on public land managed by Chimney Rock State Park.
This is a moderate hike waterfall: a longer day hike, roughly one to several miles each way. Reaching it takes a moderate walk, so budget time and pack water before you set out. The walk to the main viewpoint runs about 1.4 miles round trip. The nearest town is Chimney Rock.
When to go: spring. Flow usually peaks after snowmelt and heavy rain and tapers through late summer — a quick look at recent streamflow and the managing agency's conditions page can save a wasted trip.
