North CarolinaNC Waterfalls

Sols Creek Falls is one of my favorite waterfalls in North Carolina—easily in my top 10, and maybe my top 5. More than almost any other waterfall in the state, it evokes the large, powerful waterfalls out West. The creek drops 150 feet over a massive cliff, landing with a thunderous roar.

Even at normal flow, the spray is powerful. If the water is just a little high, you’ll be soaked before you can get close enough for a good view.

The catch is that Sols Creek Falls is on private property. I’ve never seen a posted sign, and people visit it regularly, but going there means trespassing.

You can, however, see part of the waterfall without trespassing. Its upper section is visible from Bear Creek Lake, and it’s an impressive sight. You’ll need a boat, but that’s the most practical way to see it even if you hike to the base. The falls sit in a canyon ringed by massive cliffs, and reaching the base requires following the creek upstream.

The lake view alone is worth the trip. Bear Creek Lake is one of North Carolina’s more scenic mountain lakes, and the waterfall makes the outing especially memorable.