How do you get to Hickory Nut Falls?

Two ways. Hickory Nut Falls Trail takes you to the base of the falls — 0.7 mile one way (1.4 miles round trip), rated Moderate, about 45 minutes to an hour round trip. Skyline Trail passes the top of the falls on a longer, more strenuous ridgeline route — 1.1 miles one way, 2 to 2.5 hours round trip.

Is the hike to Hickory Nut Falls hard?

The base trail is rated Moderate — gently rolling with a few uphill sections, some rocky terrain, and a small set of stairs at the base. The park describes it as recommended for families with small children, though it's not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs.

What time does the trail to Hickory Nut Falls close?

6:00 PM during main season (March 8–November 1) — earlier than the park's overall closing time. Start the hike with enough of a buffer; the trail closes to new entries before the park does.

Is Hickory Nut Falls the same waterfall from The Last of the Mohicans?

Yes — the falls and surrounding cliffs at Chimney Rock were used as filming locations for the 1992 film.

Hickory Nut Falls cascading down the granite cliff face, photographed in winter with ice on the rock

Hickory Nut Falls — 404-Foot Waterfall at Chimney Rock

404 feet, one of the tallest east of the Mississippi — and two different ways to see it.

Photo: John J. Mosesso / USGS, Public Domain — winter conditions shown; placeholder to be replaced

Quick Answer

Height: 404 feet
Ranking: One of the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River
Base trail: 0.7 mile one way (1.4 miles round trip), Moderate
Trail closes: 6:00 PM (main season)

Hickory Nut Falls drops 404 feet down the gorge wall inside Chimney Rock State Park — One of the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River. It's one of the park's signature sights, and one of the few places where a short, moderate hike gets you somewhere genuinely dramatic.

Two Ways to See It

From the base — Hickory Nut Falls Trail, 0.7 mile one way (1.4 miles round trip), rated Moderate, about 45 minutes to 1 hour round trip. This is the shorter, easier route, and the one most visitors take. The park describes the terrain as gently rolling with a few moderate uphill sections, some rocky ground, and a small set of stairs right at the base. It's recommended for families with small children — though not for strollers or wheelchairs. The base itself sits in what the park calls a rare, unique micro-ecosystem, with plant and amphibian species you won't see elsewhere in the park.

From the top — Skyline Trail, 1.1 miles one way (2.2 miles round trip), rated Moderate to strenuous, about 2 to 2.5 hours. This is the park's longer backcountry ridgeline trail, and it passes the top of the falls on its way to Peregrine's Point (2,640 feet — the park's highest overlook). It's a meaningfully longer, harder hike than the base trail — go this way for the views along the ridge, not as a shortcut to the waterfall.

Trail Hours

The Hickory Nut Falls Trail closes at 6:00 PM during main season (March 8–November 1) — earlier than the park's overall closing time. Give yourself enough buffer before that cutoff; the trail gate closes to new entries at that time regardless of when the park itself closes. See our Tickets & Hours guide for the full seasonal schedule.

On Screen

The falls and the cliffs around them were used as filming locations for The Last of the Mohicans (1992) — one of the more recognizable pieces of Hollywood history in the North Carolina mountains.

More Chimney Rock Guides

Chimney RockAll Chimney Rock TrailsEvery trail in the park, with real distances and difficulty ratings.Chimney RockElevator & AccessibilityWhy the elevator doesn't reach the falls, and what does work for limited mobility.Chimney RockTickets & HoursFull seasonal hours and entry deadlines.WeddingsWeddings at the FallsHickory Nut Falls is one of six ceremony sites in the park.

Insider Tips for Chimney Rock

Chimney Rock viewed from the stairs below, North Carolina

2026-08-02

The Best Time to Visit Chimney Rock — And the Window Nobody Uses

Most visitors arrive mid-morning and leave by 2 PM. The late-afternoon window (3–5 PM on weekdays) consistently has thinner crowds, better light, and still enough time for both the falls and the summit.

timingcrowdschimney-rock

All insider tips →

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Hickory Nut Falls?: 404 feet — one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River.
How do you get to Hickory Nut Falls?: Two ways. Hickory Nut Falls Trail takes you to the base of the falls — 0.7 mile one way (1.4 miles round trip), rated Moderate, about 45 minutes to an hour round trip. Skyline Trail passes the top of the falls on a longer, more strenuous ridgeline route — 1.1 miles one way, 2 to 2.5 hours round trip.
Is the hike to Hickory Nut Falls hard?: The base trail is rated Moderate — gently rolling with a few uphill sections, some rocky terrain, and a small set of stairs at the base. The park describes it as recommended for families with small children, though it's not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs.
What time does the trail to Hickory Nut Falls close?: 6:00 PM during main season (March 8–November 1) — earlier than the park's overall closing time. Start the hike with enough of a buffer; the trail closes to new entries before the park does.
Is Hickory Nut Falls the same waterfall from The Last of the Mohicans?: Yes — the falls and surrounding cliffs at Chimney Rock were used as filming locations for the 1992 film.

Last updated: 2026-08-19