Eastern Cherokee Reservation
Cherokee, NC

Jackson County, NC, is your home base for exploring regional waterfalls. Make sure to check out these top waterfalls on your next trip.

Cashiers, NC

Sometimes the best waterfalls are the easiest to get to! Tucked away in a hidden cove right off N.C. Highway 107, Silver Run Falls, is only a short walk from the parking area. Although it may not be the largest waterfall in the NC Mountains, its short walk and prime swimming spot underneath the falls makes it perfect for families. Visitors are greeted with crystal clear waters along with a silver shimmer from the mica-rich sand that shines through. Insider Tip: Beat the heat and the crowds! Get there early in the morning (especially on a weekday) and enjoy this hidden treasure all to yourself!

US-19
Maggie Valley, NC

Located between Maggie Valley and Cherokee, Soco Falls is an ideal trip for a wonderful waterfall adventure. This 120-foot cascade is one of the few double waterfalls you will find in Western North Carolina. The two falls converge into one, creating the perfect scene as the sun rises, exposing the foliage behind it. If you plan to go to the base of the falls, make sure to wear sturdy boots to get through the sometimes muddy trail safely. The Falls is also accessible off of the Blue Ridge Parkway (milepost 455.7 - Soco Gap)

Cashiers, NC

At 411 feet, the upper Whitewater Falls is one of the tallest cascading waterfalls east of the Rockies (with the upper falls and lower falls combining for a total of 811-feet). Tumbling into the Cullasaja River, it is also the most accessible. With a short (half-mile roundtrip) paved path to the overlook and views of neighboring South Carolina along the way, you’ll enjoy the falls, as well as the convenient amenities including covered picnic benches, restrooms, ample car and bus parking, and a large grassy field for the kids to play in! Make sure to bring along $3 for parking, as this is a Nantahala National Forest site with a small parking fee.

358-1486 State Rd 1158
Glenville, NC

Also known as Cullowhee Falls, High Falls is located in Glenville, North Carolina, between Cullowhee and Cashiers. This massive 100-foot-tall double-layered cascade can be accessed from the trailhead across the street from the Pines Recreation Area at Lake Glenville, and requires less than a mile trail hike to access. It’s a favorite among extreme kayakers as the Glenville Dam Releases Class IV rapids along the Tuckasegee River’s West Fork during the warmer months.

Macon County, NC

Affectionately named after the path that allows you to go underneath the cascade, keeping you “dry” (although “damp falls” may be a better name), Dry Falls is a must-visit! Requiring a short hike, the falls is located off of Highway 64; it is one of many that run between Sapphire and Franklin, North Carolina. Insider Tip: The earlier you go, the better especially on weekdays when crowds thin out. The parking lot provides convenient amenities but is relatively small. Try to head out earlier in the day so that you won’t have to wait. There is a $3 use fee for this site. Be sure to pack a raincoat if you plan to go under the falls.

Highlands, NC

This tiny and fun waterfall is located along Whiteside Cove Road in Cashiers, NC. During the warmer months, this kid-friendly attraction is accessed by families looking to cool off in the natural swimming hole beneath. This waterfall is perfect for the family and is an excellent place to create new memories in the summer!

Jackson County, NC

There are over a dozen waterfalls in Panthertown Valley, known as the ‘Yosemite of the East’. Located near Cashiers, NC, the valley offers more than 30-miles of multi-purpose trails and over 6,300 acres of untouched natural beauty. It’s for this reason that we encourage EVERY VISITOR to request a map of Panthertown online or to purchase one at Highland Hiker in Cashiers, NC.

Highlands Rd
Highlands, NC

This historic beauty, fed by the Cullasaja River's tributary, transforms into a wall of icicles in the winter, veiling a portion of U.S. 64—hence the name. Located near Cashiers and Highlands, Bridal Veil Falls is conveniently located right by the road - no parking fee or walking required! The parking area is located directly next to the falls, and it's also visible along the roadside. Get out and stretch your legs and walk beneath this iconic waterfall.