Waterfalls
Waterfalls have long had an almost spiritual appeal among humans. Whether one is an avid outdoorsman or an occasional hiker, there is something special about making a gorgeous waterfall the destination for a hike.
Among the Cherokee Indians, rivers were known as “The Long Man” and special ceremonies were often held at waterfalls.
The following waterfalls are just a few of the more popular among the hundreds in Western North Carolina. View an interactive map of western North Carolina waterfalls
Dry Falls
Dry Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in Western North Carolina and an easy stop if you are seeing the other falls on U.S. 64 through the Cullasaja Gorge. Visitors can walk behind the falls and to the other side. The powerful waterfall is about 65 feet tall.
Dry Falls is in between Quarry Falls and Bridal Veil Falls about three miles west of Highlands on U.S. 64. There’s a small parking area on the left if you are headed west. Signs mark the falls on both sides of the road. If you come on a Saturday during peak tourist season, a parking space will be hard to come by. The trail to the falls is short with some steps.
Cullasaja Falls
Cullasaja Falls is the final waterfall on the Cullasaja River before leaving the Gorge. The falls, a 200-foot cascade, is powerful and beautiful. You can get a good view of it from the road, but it would be a hike to get to the base, and I haven’t seen any trails that lead down to it. The downside to Cullasaja Falls is that the pull off is small and is a dangerous place for traffic to stop.
Cullasaja Falls is about two and a half miles west of Quarry Falls on U.S. 64.The pull off is small and at a sharp curve. The small pull off fills up quickly during peak tourism days. You might have to drive past it a few times before you can get a spot. Heading west, the pull off is on the left side of the road. You might want to drive past it, turn around and approach it from the eastbound side of the highway.
Lower Satulah Falls
Lower Satulah Falls can be seen from a pull off on N.C. 28. The falls is across a gorge and a good distance away. It’s not obvious that it’s there, unless you’re looking for it, but you can see it at the pullout even during the summer months.
When U.S. 64 comes into Highlands, drive through downtown and turn right to go south on N.C. 28. Drive about three and a half miles to an overlook on the right side of the road. The falls can be seen from there.
Secret Falls
Because of the gravel drive and moderate hike to get there, Secret Falls is quieter than some of the other falls around Highlands. But the 50-foot falls has grown in popularity, and the park service has put in a new trail to the falls. On a warm summer day, you can expect to see other visitors and people swimming near the base of the falls. Downstream from the falls, the water flows over several ledges that can add another dimension to photos of the falls.
Take U.S. 64 East through downtown Highlands. It will become Horse Cove Road. At about 3.7 miles, turn right onto gravel Walkingstick Road. Go 2.5 miles until you come to a fork. Within the next half-mile, turn right onto F.R. 4567. The sign is easy to miss so look for a road that runs beside a small, old house with a rusty station wagon that has a bush growing from it. F.R. 4567 is closed from Dec. 15 to March 15. Follow the road till you see a grassy road on the right with a sign for Big Shoals Trail. Big Shoals trail is marked by blue, rectangular blazes and leads to Secret Falls. At an average pace, it should take 20 to 30 minutes to get to the falls.
Silver Run Falls
Silver Falls is about 30-feet high. In front of the falls is a large, tranquil pool. The drive to the falls has no gravel roads, and the hike is short and easy.
From Cashiers, drive 4 miles south on N.C. 107. You’ll see a pullout on the left side of the road with a sign to the falls. If you pass it, you’ll end up in Georgia. From the pullout, the path to the falls is obvious, and 215 yards long.
Mingo Falls
On the Qualla Indian Reservation in Cherokee, you’ll find the popular Mingo Falls. A small creek falls about 150 feet over mossy rocks. Access to the falls is good – if you can handle lots of steps. A small bridge goes across the creek, giving hikers a face on view of the falls. People often climb around the bridge and on the rocks in front of the falls. Some of the rocks are very slippery, so be very careful if you choose to stray from the bridge.
Coming from Cherokee, head north on U.S. 441. You’ll turn right onto Acquoni Road. There will be signs telling you to turn there for Big Cove Road. In about .1 mile, turn left on to Big Cove Road. Again you’ll see signs pointing to Big Cove Road. Drive about 5 miles and turn right into Mingo Falls Campground. The parking area is straight ahead. The trail starts there, goes up a lot of stairs, levels out and comes to a bridge overlooking the falls. The trail is about 265 yards.
Soco Falls
Soco Falls is one of the closest large falls to Waynesville. Two creeks flow over steep rock cascades at a right angle from each other. There’s a wooden platform that faces the higher of the two falls. The other falls is nearly impossible to see face on without going down to the base of the falls. There’s a really steep dirt incline that goes down there without a lot to hold on to. I’ve never gotten the guts to slide down – especially with my camera.
From Waynesville, drive north on U.S. 19. You’ll pass under the Blue Ridge Parkway. After passing the Blue Ridge Parkway, drive 1.4 miles to a pull off on the left. At the corner before the pull off you want, you’ll see a large gravel pull off. This is actually a private driveway and not the way to Soco Falls. A sign on the right side of the road will tell you to go another half mile. You want a pull off with a guardrail. A short, steep path goes down between the guardrails. Follow the trail, which leads to a wooden platform. The trail beyond the platform is steeper and more difficult but will take you to the top of one of the falls. A dirt incline leads to the bottom of the falls that you’d have to slide down. It looks like it would be a challenge to get back up.
Waterfall on Little Fall Branch
The waterfall on Little Fall Branch — a 40-foot near vertical drop — is a pleasant surprise. In his guidebook, Kevin Adams writes, “You wouldn’t expect a waterfall like this to be here. You’ll stroll through a gently ascending wood beside a little, placid branch and then, wham, there it is.” Wild flowers grow along the trail but so does poison ivy. The trail is narrow and the poison ivy is easily camouflaged with the rest of the foliage. I’d recommend wearing jeans.
Take Exit 7 for Harmon Den on I-40. If you are coming from the east, turn right onto Cold Springs Creek Road, heading north. From where you hit the gravel road, drive 3.5 miles to a sign partially blocked by a tree branch for Cold Springs Picnic Area and Harmon Den Horse Camp. Turn right here. Follow it about .3 miles. Don’t turn onto the road on the left for the horse camp after the picnic area. Drive to a gate and park there without blocking it. Walk around the gate. On the left you’ll see a narrow path that runs along a creek. Follow it about .3 miles to the falls. Watch out for poison ivy.
Waterfall on West Fork Pigeon River
The waterfall on West Fork Pigeon River runs under an old stone bridge on N.C. 215. Although this waterfall isn’t one to plan a trip around, if you’re driving to the other falls on N.C. 215, it’s worth a stop. You can take shots from the road and the bridge but watch out for traffic. I tried to hike down to the base of the falls and failed miserably. I wouldn’t recommend trying it.
The waterfall is under a bridge on N.C. 215, 4.2 miles from where N.C. 215 crosses the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s 13.6 miles south of where N.C. 215 intersects with U.S. 276.
Dill Falls
When I was at Wildcat Falls and met a Sylva hiking group, they agreed that Dill Falls was a waterfall I had to include. They said it was a lesser-known, somewhat local secret compared to the heavy trafficked Graveyard Fields on the Parkway. Dill Falls is 60 feet tall with a short vertical drop followed by a very steep cascade.
Head south 2.6 miles on N.C. 215 from the Parkway. Most of that distance you won’t see any houses, but when you get close to F.R. 4663, you’ll see three. You’ll see a gravel driveway on the right. Then between the next two houses, you’ll see a gravel road. Turn right here. The marker for F.R. 4663 is very small and not visible from the road. Follow the road 1.8 miles till you get to a fork. On the way, you’ll see a road to the right at .5 miles. Don’t take it. At the fork, F.R. 4663B goes left. If you drive an SUV or high clearance vehicle, you’d probably be fine following F.R. 4663B the .6 miles to where the road splits into three directions. I think my Mazda Tribute would have been fine, but since I’d never been before I didn’t want to chance it. Here, no matter what you drive, you should park. The road to the left is grassy and doesn’t go anywhere. Blackberry bushes line the cove. The road in the middle goes .2 miles down to Dill Falls. The road that ascends to the right goes to Upper Dill Falls.
Courthouse Falls
Courthouse Falls is a popular detour from the Blue Ridge Parkway. The small Courthouse Creek is funneled through a chute, steeply sliding into the pool about 40 feet below. The hike to the falls is beautiful and easy, following the creek most of the way.
Head south on N.C. 215 from the Parkway 6.5 miles. You’ll cross a small bridge and shortly thereafter F.R. 140 veers off to the left. The road is gravel and the sign is very small. Follow the road 3 miles and park on the side of the road after you cross the creek. The trail goes beside the right side of the creek. After short distance you’ll be able to see the waterfall from the trail. Keep going on the trail until you see an obvious path that goes to the right. An arrow and blue blaze nailed to a tree will point the way. The entire hike is about .36 miles.
Tom Branch Falls
Tom Branch Falls is one of the three waterfalls in the Deep Creek area. Especially during the summer, Deep Creek is popular for tubing. Leading into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, several outfitters rent tubes for as little as $3 for the day. Tubers pass directly in front of the falls. In the summer, Tom Branch Falls is little more than a 75-foot trickle of water.
From downtown Bryson City, follow the signs to Deep Creek Campground. Follow the road through the park until it ends at a turnaround. Before reaching the turnaround, you’ll see a parking lot on the left. Park here – although it may be hard to find a spot on a busy day in the summer. Walk back to the turnaround. You’ll see a gravel road extend from the back of the turnaround. You’ll hike about a quarter of a mile following the creek and see a clearing between the trees and the creek. Look across the creek to the opposite bank, and you’ll see Tom Branch Falls.
Indian Creek Falls
Indian Creek Falls is about a 100-yard hike from the put-in point for tubes on Deep Creek. The cascading falls is about 25 feet high. During the summer, the trail is covered with adults and kids carrying tubes and pushing strollers. On the Indian Creek Trail, you may see horseback riders. The falls in Deep Creek are hardly worth the trip just to take waterfall pictures.
From downtown Bryson City, follow the signs to Deep Creek Campground. Follow the road through the park until it ends at a turnaround. Before reaching the turnaround, you’ll see a parking lot on the left. Park here – although it may be hard to find a spot on a busy day in the summer. Walk back to the turnaround. You’ll see a gravel road extend from the back of the turnaround. You’ll walk past Tom Branch Falls. At .73 miles the trail will split into Deep Creek Trail and Indian Creek Trail. Go right on Indian Creek Trail and follow the signs about 100 yards to Indian Creek Falls.
Second Falls
Second Falls, or Lower Falls as its labeled on the trail signs, is the more beautiful of the falls in Graveyard Fields. The area is very popular and you are sure to encounter other hikers and berry pickers on the short trail to the falls. The water cascades about 55 feet over a series of bare rock faces. At the rocky base of the falls, you’ll see people cannon-balling into the small pool and splashing in the water.
Park at the Graveyard Fields Overlook off the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile marker 418.8. It’s halfway between where U.S. 276 and N.C. 215 intersect with the Parkway. Take the set of steps down from the lower end of the overlook. The steps lead to a paved path that weaves through rhododendrons. The paved path leads to a bridge that crosses over the creek. Go right. Continue to follow the wooden signs that point to lower falls. Take a set of stairs down to the base of the falls.
Upper Falls
Upper Falls is not as remarkable as Second Falls, but the hike is easy and enjoyable. You can hike to the falls from Second Falls. On the way, you’ll pass through a large open area full of blackberry and blueberry bushes. Kevin Adams writes in his waterfall guidebook that Upper Falls resides at an elevation of 5,320 feet – the highest elevation for any waterfall he included in his North Carolina guidebook. Even on a foggy, misty day, I encountered several families on this 1.5-mile hike. Upper Falls is about 40-feet high with a very small watershed. Through the fog, it was unimpressive, and even in the sun, I don’t know if it would have been much better. The hike makes it worth it though.
Park at the Graveyard Fields Overlook off the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile marker 418.8. It’s halfway between where U.S. 276 and N.C. 215 intersect with the Parkway. You can get here from Second/Lower Falls or the parking lot. Hike back from Lower Falls until you see where the trail splits and you see signs going to Upper Falls. Stay on the main path and avoid user created paths. You can also get to Upper Falls from the second, upper staircase in the parking lot. Either way, the hike is about 1.5 miles.
Skinny Dip Falls
Skinny Dip Falls cascades into the most beautiful swimming hole I’ve ever seen. Although it’s supposedly a local spot, I’m sure it’s busy on a sunny day. And even in the rain, I walked past other hikers on the trail. No skinny dipping here. Two small sliding cascades fall into an upper pool. Beneath the pool, the water gushes over and is funneled into another pool.
Park at the Looking Glass Rock Overlook off the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile marker 417. It’s halfway between where U.S. 276 and N.C. 215 intersect with the Parkway. Cross the Parkway on the north side of the overlook, and take the obvious path into the woods. You’ll come to a four-way fork. To the left, there’s a fire pit. Go straight up the incline. You’ll come to another four-way fork. The Mountains-to-Sea Trail goes to the right and straight. Take the trail straight. It will be blazed with white circles. The path descends over rocks for most of the journey to the falls. At one point a path descends perpendicular from the Mountains-to-Sea trail. Don’t take it. Further down, another path will fork to the left and go up. Don’t take that either. Stay on the main trail until you come to a small overlook and bench with a set of stairs that goes down to Skinny Dip Falls. The hike is .42 miles to the falls.
— By Elizabeth Jensen
