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Waterfall

Onion Cliff Falls

North Carolina

About

Onion Cliff Falls is a waterfall in the Nantahala Ranger District of the National Forests in North Carolina, about 3 miles from the town of Glenville. It sits at roughly 2,900 feet. Fall is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from the nearby Cullowhee weather station show October highs around 70°F with lows near 44°F, and the falls sit higher than that station, so temperatures here run a little cooler. Swinging Vine Trail and the 107 Boulders climbing area are both within about 2 miles. A little farther out, Wilderness Falls and Laurel Knob are each roughly 6 miles away.

Waterfall Facts

Elevation

2,919 ft

Elevation from USGS 3D Elevation Program terrain data (about 10 m resolution).

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Location

Onion Cliff Falls

North Carolina

Name and location: U.S. Geological Survey, Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). Elevation: USGS 3D Elevation Program. View the GNIS record.

Facts about this place

When to go

Best time to go: Mar–Nov. The mildest months here, with typical highs of 60–85°F and lows of 33–63°F.

Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Cullowhee, NC weather station, 7.3 mi away. High / low in °F.

  1. Jan49° high26° low
  2. Feb53° high28° low
  3. Mar61° high34° low
  4. Apr70° high42° low
  5. May77° high51° low
  6. Jun82° high59° low
  7. Jul85° high63° low
  8. Aug84° high62° low
  9. Sep79° high56° low
  10. Oct70° high44° low
  11. Nov60° high33° low
  12. Dec51° high29° low

Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020

Where it is

Nearest town
Glenville, North Carolina · 3.1 mi

Source: USFS EDW boundaries; USGS GNIS populated places

Conditions

Active alerts for Nantahala Ranger District as of Oct 9, 2026:

Source: USFS forest alerts

Nearby

Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)

    Onion Cliff Falls — Waterfall in North Carolina | Roamze