North Carolina Waterfalls

Asheville area off The Blueridge Parkway. Glassmine Falls. Best viewed in the spring when water is more plentiful, the Falls are very narrow the rest of the summer. It occasionally dries up completely. You can view the falls from Glassmine Falls Overlook at milepost 361.1. The overlook is about 75 yards north of the parking area which is on the right when driving north from Asheville. Look across the valley to locate the Falls. Although the stream of water is narrow it is about 800 feet high so you should be able to see them easily even from this distance.

Balsam Grove. Kiesee Falls. Between Cashiers and Brevard, from Cashiers, travel 16 miles east on US-64, to Glouchester Road. Kiesee Falls is on Kiesee Creek in Balsam Grove. Courthouse Falls. From Cashiers, follow US-64 east 16 miles to NC-215. Turn right (north) and continue to Balsam Grove and Courthouse Creek. In the rugged wilds of the Beech Gap area on Courthouse Creek in the Beech Gap area of the Pisgah National Forest is this 45 foot high waterfall plunging into a secluded pool just like in a story book. A short, 0.3 mile trail of medium difficulty leads from the highway. Not wheelchair accessible. Phone: 828-526-3765.

Brevard area. Connestee Falls. Just south (about 6 miles) of Brevard on US-276, the twin falls (on your right) are about 110 feet high and are easily reached by a staired walkway. In fact, the walkway, up to a vantage point from which you can view the falls, is very nice, level, brick-paved, and ck-paved, and wheel-chair accessible. Connestee Falls are on private land and are accessible free of charge through the generosity of the owner. 828-885-2610. Rainbow Falls is for waterfall addicts. It is on private land and only accessible by a poorly marked, narrow, very rocky trail. The falls are some 200 feet high and, especially after the spring rains, are really worth the effort. The mist created by the water splashing furiously against all the rocks creates a permanent rainbow - hence the name. Take US-64 west from Brevard to NC-281. Turn left (south), another 2 miles and park on the side of the highway just before you cross the bridge. Horsepasture Falls. Named after the river, this is one of a series of magnificent waterfalls on the Horsepasture River. From Cashiers follow US-64 east 10 miles to Sapphire. Turn right on the 'Whitewater' Road and then south about 3 miles to the Horsepasture River. 828-526-3765. Drift Falls. From Cashiers follow US-64 10 miles east to Sapphire. Turn right on the 'Whitewater' Road and then south about 3 miles to the Horsepasture River. Whitewater Falls. This set of two waterfalls is located 10 miles south of Cashiers NC via NC-28 in the Nantahala National Forest of North Carolina. Whitewater Falls is really two waterfalls, the Upper (411 feet) and the Lower Falls (285 feet). This is the highest set of falls east of the Rocky Mountains having a total drop of almost 700 feet. There is a well maintained trail from the paved parking lot (complete with rest rooms) and it is an easy walk to the many vantage points. Cove Creek Falls. From its intersection with US-64 and NC-280 just east of Brevard, follow US-276 north about 5 miles to the Fish Hatchery (on your left). Turn left (this is FR-475) and proceed to Cove Creek Campground. The falls is about a mile from the parking lot over a fairly decent trail. Slick Rock Falls. From its intersection with US-64 and NC-280 just east of Brevard, follow US-276 north about 5 miles to the Fish Hatchery (on your left). Turn left (this is FR-475) and continue another 1.5 miles to 475-B. Turn right, go another mile and you're at Slick Rock Falls. Just up the road at Cove Creek Campground is a short, 1 mile trail to Cove Creek Falls. And a little further on FR-475 is Daniel Ridge Falls, both of which you will want to see. High Falls (Pisgah National Forest) On the Mills River near Pink Beds, 135 feet of drop are probably enough of an inducement to get you to make the 2.5 mile, rugged hike (the trail is very rough and steep). No formal parking area has been constructed; you'll have to find a good spot along the road. Take US-276 north from Brevard into Pisgah National Forest to Yellow Gap Road. There is a sign. Looking Glass Falls (Pisgah National Forest) Looking Glass Falls is actually a 30-foot wide cascade over a sloped 60-foot surface of polished granite (said to be the largest single granite rock in the southern Appalachian Mountains). Looking Glass Falls is on US-276 22 miles south of Waynesville and about 5.5 miles north of SC-280 in Brevard. The parking area is well marked on east side of the highway. It's just a short walk to the falls. You will surely want to continue a little further after looking at Looking Glass Falls: there is Moore Cove Falls and then Sliding Rock Falls. A little further and you will be on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Bryson City area. Indian Creek Falls. From Bryson City, follow Deep Creek Rd. north about 3 miles to the Deep Creek Campground in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Height of falls is 60 ft. The one-mile hike to the falls is classified as "easy". Juneywhank Falls. Falls is one-quarter mile downstream on Indian Creek. Tom's Bramch Falls. From Bryson City, follow Deep Creek Rd. north about 3 miles to the Deep Creek Campground in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Tom's Branch Falls is an easy quarter-mile walk from the Deep Creek Campground.

Cashiers/ Toxaway area. Whitewater Falls is really two waterfalls, the Upper (411 feet) and the Lower Falls (285 feet). This is the highest set of falls east of the Rocky Mountains having a total drop of almost 700 feet. There is a well maintained trail from the paved parking lot (complete with rest rooms) and it is an easy walk to the many vantage points. Horsepasture Falls. Named after the river, this is one of a series of magnificent waterfalls on the Horsepasture River. From Cashiers follow US-64 east 10 miles to Sapphire. Turn right on the 'Whitewater' Road and then south about 3 miles to the Horsepasture River. 828-526-3765. Drift Falls. From Cashiers follow US-64 10 miles east to Sapphire. Turn right on the 'Whitewater' Road and then south about 3 miles to the Horsepasture River. Whitewater Falls. This set of two waterfalls is located 10 miles south of Cashiers NC via NC-28 in the Nantahala National Forest of North Carolina. Toxaway Falls. From Cashiers, take US-64 east. The highway passes over the falls (about 16 miles east of Cashiers). Drift Falls. From Cashiers follow US-64 10 miles east to Sapphire. Turn right on the 'Whitewater' Road and then south about 3 miles to the Horsepasture River. Whitewater Falls. This set of two waterfalls is located 10 miles south of Cashiers NC via NC-28 in the Nantahala National Forest of North Carolina.

Cherokee area. Soco Falls. From Cherokee follow US-19 north about 6 miles to Soco Falls (located on slopes of Soco Bald).

Chimney Rock Park. Hickory Nut Falls. Hickory Nut Falls is in Chimney Rock Park, now a state owned park, in the western part of Rutherford County near Lake Lure and Bat Cave. Open only from late spring to early autumn, a fee is charged for admission. The falls are a series of drops for better than 900 feet. The main falls swoops over a granite ledge and drops some 400 feet to the pool below. From Hendersonville, take US-64 to the intersection of US74-A, turn right and the park entrance (well signed) will be on your right a few miles down the Broad River. There are wide areas here and there along the river where you can pull off and enjoy the sights of the rapids. Visit the site.

Columbus area. Shunkawauken Falls. Privately owned and near the summit of White Oak Mountain, this 150 foot cascade of Horse Creek was named after an old Indian chief. The falls can be viewed from NC-1136 (just north of Columbus).

Franklin. Cullasaja Falls. Cascading about 250 feet it is a fitting climax to the trio of Bridal Falls and Dry Falls as you proceed west form Highlands. It is not very visible from the highway and there is no designated parking area. But there is an extended wide spot which is well used. The trail to the base of the falls is steep and rocky. And remember, you have to climb back up again. The Cullasaja gorge is between Highlands and Franklin on US-64 which, though very curvy and narrow, is bi-directional and can accommodate up to medium size recreational vehicles if driven with great care. Be prepared for a slow but rewarding ride.

Highlands. Bridal Veil Falls. Just west of Highlands on US-64, just past Lake Sequayah, is a fun waterfall: the 120-foot Bridal Veil Falls. There is a little loop off the highway so you can drive right under the falls, - perhaps even get a quickie car wash (if the water flow is sufficient). Highlands is about 40 miles west of Brevard, the falls about 2 miles further west. The falls are a little less that 20 miles east of Franklin. Dry Falls is just beyond Bridle Veil Falls in the Nantahala National Forest (on US-64 about 3.5 miles west of Highlands and 16.5 miles east of Franklin). It is free and you can see it from the road. No, it's not dry! There is an old log shelter at the trailhead. The trail descends a series of steps to the base of the 75-foot falls. Not particularly challenging but, wait, you have to climb back up to the top. If you descend to the base of the falls, you can walk behind the falls (be prepared to get wet). Cullasaja Falls. Cascading about 250 feet it is a fitting climax to the trio of Bridal Falls and Dry Falls as you proceed west form Highlands. It is not very visible from the highway and there is no designated parking area. But there is an extended wide spot which is well used. Glen Falls. From Highlands, travel 3 miles south on NC 106. Turn left on the U.S. Forest Service Rd. with the "Glen Falls" marker. The 1-mile trail to the falls is steep and rough. Glen Falls actually is a series of three large falls, each dropping approximately 60 feet.

Linville. Linville Falls. At the head of the Linville Gorge is the famous Linville Falls which is actually two falls: Upper Falls (50 feet) and Lower Falls (60 feet). A well used (and maintained) trail leads you in the long climb to both lower and upper falls. The climb is strenuous but the rewards are great. They have placed benches along the way for those of us needing to take the climb in stages. The view of the Linville Gorge from the upper vantage point is well worth the effort. An information station at the parking lot has brochures about the falls (read it before you start your climb) and has other reading material, etc., for sale. Off the Blue Ridge Parkway (between milepost 316 and 317).

Saluda / Tryon. Pearson's Falls. Pearson's Falls are located on private property and a fee is charged for access. They close their little park in inclement weather and for about two weeks around Christmas.The falls have a total descent of about 100 feet. Access to a nicely maintained wildflower garden, with adjacent picnic tables, is included in the admission fee. Take US-176 south from Saluda or north from Tryon to Pearson Falls Road (about 4 miles). Take this gravel road another 3.5 miles to parking area.

Sparta area. Stone Mountain Falls. Accessed by a 1.2 mile trail, this mighty 200 foot drop waterfall is one of the most magnificent of the Carolina hydro-spectaculars. The specially-constructed wood staircase, which allows safe access to the base of the falls, shows the concern of the NC Parks Division for your safety. And it certainly makes access so much easier than climbing down a steep, rocky (and probably slippery) trail - and back up again. But there are a lot of stairs to climb on your way up, so - be prepared. Two other falls are also on Big Sandy Creek: Middle Falls and Lower Falls. They are also accessible from the Stone Mountain Falls Trail*. They aren't as dramatic as Stone Mountain Falls but, if you love waterfalls, you will certainly enjoy them.