A multi-stage waterfall on the Blue Ridge Parkway finishing in a 45-foot plunge into Linville Gorge.
Linville Falls drops in stages through Linville Gorge off the Blue Ridge Parkway, finishing in a 45-foot plunge into a deep pool, per the National Park Service's trail guide. The falls sit in Burke County, North Carolina, reached from the Linville Falls Visitor Center area at Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 316.4, where trails wind through remnant old-growth hemlock, white pine, oak, hickory, and birch forest to several overlooks.
Three trails from the visitor center area reach different views: the Erwins View Trail (1.6 miles round trip, moderate with strenuous sections) leads to the farthest overlook, while the shorter Linville Gorge Trail (1.4 miles) and Plunge Basin Trail (1 mile) are both rated strenuous. Hurricane Helene heavily damaged the area in September 2024, destroying the visitor center building; at our review, the Parkway had reopened the main trail system and parking off the milepost 316.4 spur road, but the visitor center, picnic area, and campground remained closed while a recovery plan was underway. NPS prohibits swimming in the Linville River and climbing on the rocks here. Check the official Blue Ridge Parkway page for current road and trail status before visiting.
Hurricane Helene (September 2024) destroyed the Linville Falls Visitor Center and damaged trails and residences in the area. At our review, the main trail system had reopened via the milepost 316.4 spur road, but the visitor center, picnic area, and campground remained closed, and a public site-recovery plan was underway. Check the official Blue Ridge Parkway conditions page before visiting. Check the current notice ↗
Know before you go
Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 316.4, Burke County, NC; trailheads near the Linville Falls Visitor Center area.
Open year-round, subject to Parkway road conditions; check current closures before visiting.
Erwins View Trail 1.6 mi round trip (moderate, strenuous sections); Linville Gorge Trail 1.4 mi round trip (strenuous); Plunge Basin Trail 1 mi round trip (strenuous).
No entrance fee reported for this Blue Ridge Parkway site; verify any current parking or facility changes.
Trails are not wheelchair accessible and involve uneven, sometimes strenuous terrain to rocky overlooks.
2026-10-11. Conditions and requirements can change; confirm with the land manager before travelling.
Sources & further reading
- NPS Blue Ridge Parkway — Linville Falls Hiking Trails ↗
- NPS Blue Ridge Parkway — Linville Falls Recovery Plan public input ↗
- USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) ↗
This is a researched visitor guide, not a claim that our editors have personally visited. Trail conditions, permits, and access can change.
