Lower Glen Marie Falls
Watauga County, North Carolina
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Watauga County, North Carolina
- Access status
- Partial: town trail; reports conflict on whether it has reopened
- The walk
- About 1.1 to 1.6 miles each way
- Ground & access
- Strenuous and steep, with about 600 feet of descent that must be climbed on return. Wet, slippery surfaces.
This is a partial guide. The town closed the trail after a hiker died in 2025, and reports conflict on whether it has reopened. From US 221 and Main Street in Blowing Rock, go south on Main Street less than a quarter mile, turn right on Laurel Lane, and in about 0.2 miles turn left into Annie Cannon Gardens. Take Glen Burney Trail from the end of the parking area. It passes the old sewer plant ruins and a footbridge, the top of the Cascades at about 0.6 miles, and reaches a split just under a mile in. Turn left (right goes to Glen Burney Falls) and descend past the top of Glen Marie Falls to the base, where the trail ends. Sources name the falls at this point Glen Marie Falls; this map calls it Lower Glen Marie Falls. The lower section is seen from the base.
Plan your visit
Glen Burney Trail from Annie Cannon Gardens in Blowing Rock, down New Years Creek past the Cascades to the base of Glen Marie Falls
Waterfall Hero lists 2.2 miles round trip to Glen Marie Falls. The town tourism page gives 1.2 miles one way, the Town of Blowing Rock 1.6 miles, and Blue Ridge Conservancy 3.2 miles round trip.
Strenuous and steep, with about 600 feet of descent that must be climbed on return. Wet, slippery surfaces.
Where to start
Annie Cannon Gardens parking off Laurel Lane, Blowing Rock. Published trailhead coordinates: 36.13263, -81.68043.
Timing & water
A hiker died on the Glen Burney Trail in July 2025. News reports conflict on whether the trail has reopened since then, and some areas were damaged by Hurricane Helene. Check with Blowing Rock Parks and Recreation before going.
Before you go
No fee is mentioned in the sources read. Town of Blowing Rock land.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Upper Glen Marie FallsPartial: this listing is probably the upper part of Glen Marie Falls; winter view onlyWatauga County, NC0.0 miNE
- Glen Burney FallsPartial: town trail; reports conflict on whether it has reopenedWatauga County, NC0.1 miN
- New Year's Creek CascadesPartial: town trail; reports conflict on whether it has reopenedWatauga County, NC0.3 miN
- China Creek FallsWatauga County, NC0.7 miW
- Thunderhole FallsPartial guide: access road closed to vehicles; parking and full walking distance not confirmedCaldwell County, NC1.2 miSW
- Lower Thunderhole FallsPartial guide: access road closed to vehicles; starting parking not describedCaldwell County, NC1.4 miSW
- Hebron Colony FallsNational park picnic area trailhead; marked trail and steep side pathWatauga County, NC3.7 miNW
- Walker Hollow FallsRoadside waterfall in Pisgah National ForestCaldwell County, NC4.7 miSW
- Woodruff Branch FallsNational forest; roadside viewCaldwell County, NC5.1 miSW