I am a sucker for a beautiful waterfall. I’ve spent lots of time on vacation (much to my kids’ dismay) saying, “Wait! There’s a waterfall up ahead! Stop!” During a recent trip to the High Hampton Inn in Cashiers, North Carolina, I picked up their “Waterfalls and Day Excursions near High Hampton Inn” sheet. Determined to locate all the waterfalls, because, hey, free activities and exercise, we set out on our journey. Here’s some tips we learned in our Cashiers Highlands Waterfall Tour Guide.
Cashiers Highlands Waterfall Tour Guide
Before beginning your journey, plan your route to maximize your time. Because the mountain roads are winding and curvy, the trip will take much longer than anticipated. If you are staying at the High Hampton, we devised a route that would allow you to see each waterfall without having to back track.
1. Whitewater Falls, at 411 feet, is taller than Niagara Falls and is the highest waterfall in the eastern United States. Located in the Nantahala National Forest, it is a 1/4 mile hike along a paved trail to reach the overlook to the falls. If you are feeling energetic, a lower overlook, located 154 steps down, is available. We were not feeling that energetic, but waved goodbye at some younger people who were. There is plenty of paved parking available.
Before reaching the falls, you will pass a pull off that has a beautiful view of the South Carolina Lowlands and Lake Jocassee. It’s well worth a stop for the scenery. The upper overlook is wheelchair accessible.
2. Silver Run Falls is an easy hike (only 600 feet off the main road). The falls are only 40 feet high, but have a nice place for kids to wade along the water’s edge and there are several large rocks near the falls for a romantic picnic. There is a small dirt parking area off the side of the road, but it is large enough to pull off safely.
3. Little Sliding Rock Falls is just like the name implies. It’s a small (approximately 8-10 foot) waterfall that’s shaped like a slide. Kids will have a blast sliding down the rocks and the basin around the waterfall has plenty of shallow parts for wading. There’s plenty of room to sit on the ground around the falls, but bring a blanket as you’ll be sitting in dirt. There is a dirt pullout on the side of the road that’s large enough to pull off safely. The path to the falls is an easy walk of approximately 200 feet.
Continue to follow the road through the Nantahala forest (some of it is gravel and very winding) until you reach the nearby town of Highlands. Along the way keep an eye out for the smallest post office in the area. It’s a small one “room” log structure with a front porch. On a humorous note as we read the sign from the road we thought it said it was the “first blog in the area.” That’s probably a sign that we spend too much time on our computers.
4. Glen Falls– From Highlands, you’ll take Highway 206. To reach the falls we had to take a dirt road off the main highway for approximately 3/4 mile. There’s plenty of parking for the Falls in a gravel lot. This trail is longer and rougher than many of the other falls. It is probably around 1/4 mile down a dirt path, filled with tree branches, to the 1st observation area and then another 200 feet to the second observation area. While I thought the falls were lovely, the area is known for its “spectacular view of the Blue Valley.”
The next three falls are on the same road which is extremely curvy and narrow.
5. Bridal Veil Falls- This waterfall is just off the main road. There’s plenty of room for parking on the paved lot and you can walk underneath the falls. This waterfall is wheelchair accessible.
6. Dry Falls- This was one of my favorite falls. There’s a large parking area and a paved path that leads underneath the falls to a hiking area around the mountain. There are breathtaking views and plenty of photo opps. The kids will have a blast standing underneath the waterfall without getting wet.
7. Cullasaja Falls- We were given very vague directions to this falls and it is not marked. The road is incredibly narrow and curvy and the parking space is located in a curve. When I tried to pull over we were still in the road and decided not to risk our lives to make a photo. Proceed with caution at this waterfall. Since I didn’t make a photo there, here is a picture of the scenic South Carolina lowlands.
Have you visited the North Carolina Mountains? Which is your favorite falls?
These waterfalls are absolutely gorgeous. I have always wanted to visit more and these look wonderful.
This is so gorgeous. I really would love to visit that part of the country.
What a gorgeous escape and your photos are gorgeous. I’ve never been to a waterfall so this is definitely on my bucket list!
Wow I would love to visit these places! I will have to keep this in mind next time we travel south!
This looks like such a beautiful place to visit. I’d love to visit with my entire family sometime soon.
I have always been fascinated with waterfalls. I cannot believe with the Great Smoky Mountains & N.C. in my backyard that I don’t hunt them down more often.
What a beautiful waterfalls Looks like I want to go there and see it in live.
This made me realize that our son has never seen a waterfall. I’d love to take him on a tour like this.
I think it’s amazing to go and witness how lovely these falls are in person! I love that there are so many different kinds. It would be a nice learning experience for the kids as well.
Wow! These falls are really amazing! I love falls and nature trips! And North Carolina is one of my dream destinations!
I dont think I ever saw a real waterfall in my life. You were able to capture a few of them that was cool!
I’m chuckling because I’m thinking back at this whole adventure. I think it’s fun that the waterfalls we loved most weren’t ones we expected to love most. What a fun day!
This is exactly what I would want to do. I love waterfalls. It would be the perfect tour for me. It looks so beautiful in the photos.
Wow, all of the waterfalls featured look absolutely gorgeous! I really appreciate that a few of them are wheelchair accessible too.
These pictures are literally taking my breath away I can only imagine how awe inspiring these falls are up close and personal. What a wonderful place to have an adventure!
Oh my gosh, that’s so beautiful! Waterfalls are my favorite natural formation. They are so gorgeous.