Mitchell Falls

Mitchell Falls is a 25-foot waterfall that drops down the slopes of Mount Mitchell, the highest peak in the eastern United States. The water flows through a narrow valley surrounded by mountain forest and moss-covered rocks that frame the cascade.

The falls are linked to Dr. Elisha Mitchell, a professor and surveyor who died near this location in 1857 while measuring Mount Mitchell's elevation. His death brought attention to the scientific study of the mountain and its role in mapping the eastern landscape.

The falls attract nature enthusiasts interested in exploring mountain streams and geological features of the Blue Ridge system. For many people in the region, they represent the wild character that defines these mountains.

Access to this waterfall is restricted because it sits on private land and requires special permission to visit. Organized group hikes are the only legal way to see the falls and the surrounding landscape.

The waterfall flows from an elevation of about 4,375 feet, making it one of the highest-situated waterfalls in North Carolina's mountain region. This extreme altitude creates a distinctive environment with cooler temperatures and specialized plant life.