While those old song lyrics say, ‘don’t go chasing waterfalls,’ in North Carolina, it’s best to ignore this bit of advice and DO go chasing them. North Carolina has no shortage of waterfalls and amazing hikes to go along with them, ranging from falls that reach hundreds of feet to mild and temperate cascades with gentle swimming holes.
Waterfalls are a beautiful natural attraction in our little slice of North Carolina. The scenery of a waterfall is a great reward after a long trip to the mountains, or a long hike to get to your destination, and they are so worth it.
There are many fantastic waterfalls near Asheville, NC and throughout the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. Favorite waterfalls appear along hiking trails, several roadside cascades, and can even be seen from the car.
We recently discovered 10 gems in the Western Carolinas. Sometimes the best kept secrets are right out our back yards. Take a look at the beauty that surrounds you! It’s everywhere!
SOCO Falls MINGO Falls
SOCO FALLS and MINGO FALLS
There are two spectacular waterfalls on the Cherokee Indian Reservation!!
Double waterfalls are a rarity and this one is a hidden gem. Soco Falls (above left), located just a short walk off the main road, is a perfect way to start your scenic adventure. The falls sit right in between Maggie Valley and the Cherokee Indian Reservation.
Mingo Falls (above right) – meaning “Big Bear” in the Cherokee Language is located in the Big Cove community just north of Cherokee. A hidden gem hiding in the Smokies, the beautiful Mingo Falls is accessed by a short and brisk 0.4-mile hike inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. The 120-foot fall is always impressive, but especially after a large rainfall which causes the cascade to flow in full force.
TOM BRANCH Falls JUNEY WHANK Falls INDIAN CREEK Falls
JUNEY WHANK, TOM BRANCH and INDIAN CREEK FALLS
The Deep Creek area of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is known for its streams, hiking trails and waterfalls and is a beautiful area of the park. It is home to 3 waterfalls – Juney Whank, Tom Branch and Indian Creek Falls. There are two loop trails that take you to all three: Three Waterfalls Loop (2.4 miles) and Deep Creek-Indian Creek Loop (5 miles). This is a popular area for tubing and gets quite busy during the summer months.
Tom Branch (above left) is located in the Deep Creek area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is a simple, but gorgeous waterfall, that gently falls into the famous Deep Creek. It’s the first waterfall you will encounter on the loop. It is enjoyable to watch tubers go past the bottom of the falls. You have a good view from across the creek.
Juney Whank Falls (above center) is divided into an upper and lower section. Both can be viewed from the footbridge which crosses Juney Whank Branch at the falls. Together they drop 90 feet from top to bottom. The stream and falls are said to be named after a Mr. Junaluska “Juney” Whank, who may be buried in the area.
Indian Creek Falls (above right) is the largest of the three waterfalls in the Deep Creek section of Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The trail to the falls is wide, paved and mostly flat. You may want to sit for a while and enjoy the sound of the rushing water!
CULLASAJA FALLS
Cullasaja Falls can be seen from the roadside on US Highway 64 (called Mountain Waters Scenic Highway & Waterfall Byway), 8.8 miles west of Highlands, along a very narrow, curvy stretch of highway through the the Cullasaja River Gorge in Nantahala National Forest. What a beautiful cliffside drive!
Underneath BRIDAL VEIL Falls BRIDAL VEIL Falls from the Road
BRIDAL VEIL FALLS
On the way to the Highlands, we spotted at beautiful sight, Bridal Veil Falls. It has been famous for generations as the only waterfall in North Carolina you can drive behind. However, the section of road behind the falls is now blocked off from automobiles for safety. This allows you to walk behind and enjoy it more. (The picture on the left was taken when I stood underneath the falls.) The 60-ft. waterfall in Nantahala National Forest doesn’t have a large volume of water unless it is right after a big rain. Therefore, it is safe and fun to stand behind it!
DRY Falls DRY Falls (see the people behind)
DRY FALLS
Dry Falls, a popular waterfall located a few miles outside of Highlands, gives you the rare treat of walking safely behind a waterfall. This 75-ft. tall waterfall in the Nantahala National Forest, flows over a cliff, allowing you to walk behind the falls and stay dry (hence the name). During rainy spells when the water volume is higher, the spray will prevent you from staying totally dry.
GLEN FALLS (a triple waterfall)
What a gorgeous place to view! Glen Falls is a triple waterfall near Highlands with 4 scenic stops along a 2-mile hike. The upper and middle cascades are the most beautiful. These falls are a great way to spend time in the woods relaxing and taking in the views!
If you love to find waterfalls, then Western North Carolina is the place for you!! Travel still remains one of the BEST ways to feel a global interconnectedness with humanity and in this case…nature!
Virtual Travel and Wine Events…a SUCCESS!
Thank you for participating in Series 2 of our Travel and Wine Tasting events to Argentina, Portugal and Croatia. We experienced a little bit of everything…the history, architecture, culture, traditions, food, wine, beautiful landscape and UNESCO sites. I’m sure you will agree that there is something unique and special about each country.
Which country is on your “bucket list” now?
For future Virtual Travel Events…I am working on where to go next. Here are a few that I have in mind…
Peru, Costa Rica, Iceland, Denmark/Sweden/Finland
These are beautiful destinations for all kinds of travelers… those that seek adventure, peace and quiet, small group exploration, or fabulous gastronomy.
Watch for the official invitation coming soon. The series may begin around October 15th. If you missed a past destination and want to watch the recording, let me know.
If you want your 2020 “Vacation Do Over”, let’s start planning your next adventure now! There will be limited availability in 2021 because many people “lifted and shifted” their vacation from this year.
So don’t wait!
