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North Carolina

North Carolina

The Top 20 Natural Monuments in North Carolina

North Carolina’s landscape is a beautiful place to explore — something that you can best experience by visiting one of our 20

beautiful natural monuments in North Carolina. To help you find the one for, you can see all the details you need to explore the best natural monuments, and better plan your next outdoor adventure!

Last updated: November 14, 2025

Tom Branch Falls

Highlight • Waterfall

The trail to the Tom Branch Falls starts at Deep Creek Trailhead. After walking about 500 m along the Deep Creek Trail, you can see the 18-meter-high Tom Branch Falls.

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Chimney Rock Summit

Highlight • Summit

Chimney Rock is located in the state park of the same name in North Carolina, near the area around the beautiful Lake Lure. The actual 96-meter-high rock can be easily …

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Charlies Bunion

Highlight • Viewpoint

Charlies Bunion is a rock outcropping that was originally known as Fodderstack. The current name was derived when Charlie Conner went hiking one day with Horace Kephart, one of the …

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Andrews Bald

Highlight • Summit

Andrews Bald is located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and stands at 5,920 feet, making it the highest grassy bald (a type of summit unique to the area …

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Pilot Mountain

Highlight • Summit

Pilot Mountain, a striking metamorphic quartzite monadnock mountanin, rises 2,421 feet above sea level. This iconic peak, a reaiming part of the ancient Sauratown Mountains, features two large formations: Big …

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Indian Creek Falls

Highlight • Waterfall

The trail to the Indian Creek Falls starts at Deep Creek Trailhead. For about 1 km the trail follows Deep Creek Trail to the junction with Indian Creek Trail. About …

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Catawba Falls

Highlight • Waterfall

Catawba Falls is a series of waterfalls along the headwaters of the Catawba River. The river flows over two major drops: Upper Catawba Falls, a free-fall drop, and the larger …

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Mount Mitchell Summit

Highlight • Summit

Mount Mitchell is the highest point east of the Mississippi River at 6,684 feet. There is a cool little lookout tower at the top. There is also a parking lot …

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Exclamation Point – Chimney Rock State Park

Highlight • Viewpoint

Great for a perfect photo not only on the top of the rock but also along the park.

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Wright Brothers National Memorial

Highlight • Historical Site

Unfortunately, the memorial is only open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. - plan ahead!

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Black Balsam Knob

Highlight • Summit

Black Balsam Knob, standing at 6,214 feet, offers amazing views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains and Great Balsam Mountains. This treeless bald is ideal for a short hike and …

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The Foothills Trail — Waterfalls, Forests & Appalachian Wilderness

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Mountain Peaks

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Didn’t find what you were looking for?

Find even more amazing natural monuments in North Carolina by checking out the top Highlights region by region:

Swain County Graham County Haywood County Jackson County Macon County Yancey County Burke County Buncombe County Henderson County Transylvania County Dare County Avery County National Forests In North Carolina Stokes County

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Extend your search for the best caves by checking out these guides of the top ones in North Carolina:

The Top 20 Natural Monuments in North Carolina

Tom Branch Falls

Chimney Rock Summit

Charlies Bunion

Andrews Bald

Pilot Mountain

Indian Creek Falls

Catawba Falls

Mount Mitchell Summit

Exclamation Point – Chimney Rock State Park

Wright Brothers National Memorial

Black Balsam Knob

Other adventures in North Carolina

Most popular routes in North Carolina

Most popular attractions in North Carolina

Get inspired with the komoot mobile app

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