Hickory Nut Falls is a 404-foot waterfall on Fall Creek in Chimney Rock State Park, Rutherford County, North Carolina, sliding down the wall of Hickory Nut Gorge. The park describes it as one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi, and its brink was the setting for the final fight in the 1992 film The Last of the Mohicans.
The falls
Fall Creek drops over the cliff in a long horsetail, the longest single drop about 351 feet, followed by cascades to a total of 404 feet. It can be seen, far off, from US 64 in the gorge below.
Getting there
The park entrance is at 174 Chimney Rock Park Road in the village of Chimney Rock, reached by US 64 and NC 9. Admission is $17 for adults and $8 for ages 5 to 15, sold as timed tickets; buy ahead for holiday weekends and October and November weekends, the busiest times. Hurricane Helene destroyed the park's access bridge in September 2024; the park reopened in June 2025, but recovery in the area is ongoing, so check road conditions before driving.
The Hickory Nut Falls Trail is a 1.4-mile round trip through the forest to the base of the falls, taking 45 to 60 minutes. It rolls up and down with a few moderate climbs, rocky stretches and stairs at the end, and is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
When to go
The park is open all year, with shorter hours in winter; the falls trail closes at 6 pm. Spring brings wildflowers, early summer rhododendron, fall color in October, and winter ice formations around the falls. The park may close for ice or flood warnings.
On site
Stay on the trail and the viewing area at the base. Dogs are welcome on a 6-foot leash but are not allowed in the elevator. Several trails and the Eagle Rock access in the wider park remained closed in 2026 during storm recovery.
History and name
Dr. Lucius Morse bought the land in 1902 and ran Chimney Rock Park privately for more than a century; the state bought it in 2007.
Nearby
Wolf Creek Falls is about 0.9 mile away, Rainbow Falls about 1.1 miles and Bottomless Pools about 1.5 miles.
Distances are straight-line.