07/07/2023
With the mountain springs comes an abundance waterfalls! Waterfall hopping is one of our favorite pastimes. Take a hike or a quick stroll to see one as soon as possible. Talk about a way to cool off!
Bridal Veil Falls: Two-and-a-half miles east of Highlands on U.S. 64. The 120-foot falls are visible from the highway.
Cullasaja Falls: On U.S. 64, 11 miles east of Franklin, the 250-foot falls are visible from the road.
Dry Falls: Located near U.S. 64, 3.5 miles west of Highlands, 16.5 miles from Franklin. Paved walkway leads to falls from parking area. Walk underneath the 75-foot falls.
Graveyard Fields: Trailhead located at parking area on the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 418. The Yellowstone Prong of the Pigeon River feeds three waterfalls-Yellowstone Falls, Lower Falls and Upper Falls-that are definitely worth the hike.
Looking Glass Falls: From Waynesville, take U.S. 276 South, about 22 miles. Parking area is well marked on the east side of the highway. The 85-foot falls are visible from the road. It is only a short walk to the falls. Walkways with handrails.
Moore Cove Falls: Travel 1 mile north of Looking Glass Falls on US 276. You'll find a small wooden footbridge just off the highway, the trail starts at the bridge and leads to the falls. An easy 1 mile round trip walk to the 50ft waterfall.
Sliding Rock Falls: Travel 7 miles north on US 276 from the Ranger Station, 2 miles north of Looking Glass Falls. Propelled by 11,000 gallons of cold mountain water per minute into a 6ft deep pool below.
Soco Falls: From Maggie Valley head up US 19 south to the Blue Ridge Parkway. cross under the Parkway and continue downhill towards Cherokee. From the Parkway, it's 1.5 miles to a marked pull-off on the left side of the orad. There's a small blue sign indicating Soco Falls .5 miles ahead. The trail begins at the break in the guardrail. The short, steep trail ends at a viewing deck overlooking the falls.
Toxaway Falls: U.S. 64 passes right over the 125-foot falls. From Sapphire drive north on US 64 for two miles. Look for a large masonry bridge at the base of a hill and the dam to the left. Cross the bridge and park in the graveled area on the left side. carefully cross US 64 to glimpse the falls on the south side.
Whitewater Falls: Take U.S. 64 east to Whitewater Road. The falls are located 10 miles south on Whitewater Road, near the North Carolina-South Carolina state line. At 411 feet, Whitewater Falls are the tallest falls in Eastern America. Drift, Horse Pasture and Rainbow falls are also accessible from Whitewater Road.
