Sunburst Falls
North Carolina · height not recorded · Shining Rock Wilderness · Last verified 2026-05-15
No verified photo yet
Sunburst Falls is a waterfall in North Carolina. Height has not been officially recorded. Access details and conditions have not yet been verified in person by Fallspots — the data on this page comes from OpenStreetMap and USGS GNIS.
Compare to nearby falls
If this one isn't the right fit, here's how it stacks up against the closest documented falls. Every column is filterable on the site — not buried in 13,000 reviews.
| Waterfall | Distance | Height | Trail | Dogs | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunburst Falls (this page) | — | — | — | Y | Free |
| Lower Sam Branch Falls | 0 mi | — | — | Y | Free |
| Wash Hollow Falls | 0 mi | 49 ft | — | Y | Free |
| Sam Branch Falls | 1 mi | 66 ft | — | Y | Free |
| Little Bird Falls | 1 mi | — | — | Y | Free |
| Waterfalls of Flat Laurel Creek | 1 mi | — | — | Y | Free |
Questions visitors ask about Sunburst Falls
Answers built from our structured data. If a question isn't here, the fact is unverified — we'd rather omit than guess.
Is Sunburst Falls in a national or state park?
Yes — Sunburst Falls is inside Shining Rock Wilderness. We inferred this from OpenStreetMap protected-area polygons; if you find we got the boundary wrong, please report it. See the park page for fees, hours, and current conditions.
Can I bring my dog to Sunburst Falls?
Yes — dogs are allowed (Shining Rock Wilderness permits leashed dogs in most areas). Inferred from park type; check the official site for trail-specific restrictions. Always leash and pack out waste.
Is there a fee to visit Sunburst Falls?
No entrance fee. Shining Rock Wilderness is free to access. Some trailheads may charge a parking fee separately.
How far is Sunburst Falls from a major city?
Sunburst Falls is 12 miles from Waynesville (about 16 minutes' drive).
More waterfalls in North Carolina
Where it is
35.3382, -82.9034
Sources and live status
Where we got the data, and where to check current conditions before you drive.
Last verified by Fallspots: 2026-05-15
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Marina and Theo verify pages one road trip at a time. If you've been to Sunburst Falls recently, your local knowledge improves the page for everyone. Pick the kind of contribution that fits — every email lands in our inbox and gets read (and credited when we publish).
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