Things to do in Linville Falls center on waterfall viewpoints and trails above and below the falls, on the Linville River along the Blue Ridge Parkway. From Travelers Inn, a hotel in Elizabethton, plan the outing around the trail distances and check Parkway access before setting out.
- Linville Falls is at Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 316.4.
- Erwins View Overlook is 0.8 mile from the visitor center.
- The Plunge Basin route is 1 mile round trip and strenuous.
- The Linville Gorge route is 1.4 miles round trip and strenuous.
At a glance
5 places · swipe
01Planning the drive to Linville FallsLinville Falls sits along the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 316.4, so the Parkway is the key reference…
02Waterfall viewpoints and trailsLinville Falls has several viewpoints, with trail options that range from a shorter walk to strenuous…
03Visitor facilities and seasonal accessThe visitor center is a reference point for the trail distances, but access to Linville Falls is not…
04Safety and day-trip preparationStay on the allowed routes and keep out of the river: swimming in the Linville River and climbing on the…- 05FAQsLinville Falls is a waterfall on the Linville River along the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 316.4.
Planning the drive to Linville Falls
Linville Falls sits along the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 316.4, so the Parkway is the key reference point when planning your approach. From Elizabethton, check the route and road conditions before you leave; access along the Parkway can change.
Use the National Park Service road-closure map to check current access, and check the official site before you go. The Parkway location makes the falls a clear destination for a Linville Gorge day trip, but the trail choices and road conditions should shape your schedule. For another outing from Elizabethton, read about Roan Mountain State Park.
Waterfall viewpoints and trails
Linville Falls has several viewpoints, with trail options that range from a shorter walk to strenuous routes descending toward the gorge and falls.
Erwins View Trail
Erwins View Overlook is 0.8 mile from the visitor center. From the overlook, you can see Linville Gorge and distant views of the upper and lower falls.
Plunge Basin and Linville Gorge
The Linville Gorge Trail to Plunge Basin is 1 mile round trip and rated strenuous. A separate Linville Gorge Trail route is 1.4 miles round trip and also rated strenuous.
At the fork 0.2 mile from the visitor center, the right branch leads to Plunge Basin Overlook. The left branch descends through rock cliffs to the bottom of the falls. Chimney View offers views of both the upper and lower falls; this part of the trail is strenuous and has considerable elevation gain.
Visitor facilities and seasonal access
The visitor center is a reference point for the trail distances, but access to Linville Falls is not limited to that starting point. The trail system can also be reached from Old NC 105 using the U.S. Forest Service parking lot.
Because Parkway access can change, confirm current road conditions before choosing your approach. Keep the trail distances and strenuous ratings in mind when deciding which viewpoints fit your day. For a different area outing, the Watauga Lake guide covers another destination from Elizabethton.
Safety and day-trip preparation
Stay on the allowed routes and keep out of the river: swimming in the Linville River and climbing on the rocks are dangerous and not allowed.
The routes to Plunge Basin and Linville Gorge are rated strenuous, and the descent from the fork toward the bottom of the falls passes through rock cliffs. Choose a trail that suits your ability, and account for the elevation gain on the Chimney View section when planning your walk.
FAQs
Where is Linville Falls?
Linville Falls is a waterfall on the Linville River along the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 316.4.
How far is Erwins View Overlook from the visitor center?
Erwins View Overlook is 0.8 mile from the visitor center and offers views of Linville Gorge and the upper and lower falls.
Which Linville Falls trails are strenuous?
The Plunge Basin route is 1 mile round trip, and the Linville Gorge route is 1.4 miles round trip; both are rated strenuous. The Chimney View section is also strenuous and has considerable elevation gain.
Can you swim in the Linville River?
No. Swimming in the river and climbing on the rocks are dangerous and not allowed.