Best waterfalls in Western NC: See the tallest, falls with short hikes, swimming holes
Memorial Day weekend is often considered the unofficial start of summer; There are plenty of ways to enjoy the warm weather in Western North Carolina, including the area's many waterfalls.
Transylvania County, the so-called "land of waterfalls," has over 250 waterfalls within its borders alone. But waterfalls abound all around the region. From challenging hikes to roadside access, WNC has something for everyone when it comes to waterfall spotting.
Here are a few options for this season, with something for everyone.
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What is the tallest waterfall in NC?
At 411 feet, Upper Whitewater Falls in the Cashiers area of the Nantahala National Forest is the tallest waterfall east of the Rockies. The Lower Whitewater Falls, across the border in South Carolina, plummets another 400 feet, if the first view wasn't spectacular enough.
The area, managed by the U.S. Forest Service, is roughly 60 miles southwest of Asheville off N.C. 281. Round-trip, the hike to Upper Whitewater Falls is only a half-mile of paved trail, with observation areas for optimal views. There is a $3 parking fee per vehicle.
But be cautious. Whitewater Falls also has the dubious distinction of being one of the deadliest waterfalls in Western North Carolina, with at least 15 deaths since 1995, according to previous Citizen Times reporting.
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Which NC waterfall can visitors slide down?
Sliding Rock, located on U.S. 276 in Pisgah Forest, is famous for living up to its name. Operated by Naventure, Sliding Rock is a 60-foot natural water slide that ends in a 8-10 foot deep pool of water. The area is open 365 days a year, with lifeguards and restrooms available seven days a week Memorial Day through Labor Day. A daily fee of $5 per person applies.
The Forest Service website provides rules for enjoying the slide:
- If you cannot swim, you cannot slide - no exceptions. With cold, fast-moving water up to 10 feet deep, the ability to swim is a must.
- Approved personal floatation devices are allowed, but floats, tubes, noodles, etc., are not.
- No running.
- Sit and scoot into position at the top of the waterfall, and slide in an upright seated position.
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Short waterfall hikes
Among the many waterfalls in WNC, there are several that require short hikes, and several more that require no hiking at all. Visitors to the 60-foot cascade of Looking Glass Falls can view the waterfall from an observation deck in Pisgah Forest accessible by a staircase from the parking lot on U.S. 276. Similarly, the 12-foot-high Hooker Falls in DuPont Forest is accessible via a short walk from the parking area to the waterfall and swimming area.
If you're looking for a hike rather than a walk across a parking lot, there are plenty of options including Triple Falls in DuPont State Recreational Forest in Henderson and Transylvania counties and Big Laurel Falls near the Appalachian Trail at Standing Indian near Franklin. Both hikes are around 1 mile round-trips.
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Waterfall swimming holes
There are several swimming holes in the WNC area including Hooker Falls and Sliding Rock.
Upper Creek Falls in the Jonas Ridge area of Burke County is one option; A 0.8 mile hike leads to the cascade, an area which is popular among swimmers, sunbathers and anglers. The 30-foot Silver Run Falls pours into another mountain swimming hole, with a similarly short, easy trail leading to the area.
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Be Waterfall Wise: waterfall safety tips
While WNC's many waterfalls are perfect for summer fun, caution is required to stay safe when visiting these areas.
Clark Lovelace, executive director of the Transylvania County Tourism Board, commented on the board's "Be Waterfall Wise" safety campaign in previous reporting from the Citizen Times.
"Waterfalls are not amusement park rides that were designed for your safety," Lovelace said. "We're so used to things being designed for our safety that we're just not thinking. And if you look at all of our wonderful safety tips, none of them are really complicated or surprising, but simple things like keeping your eyes on your kids and pets at all times."
The campaign provides the following simple guidelines for waterfall visitors to follow:
- Observe all posted signs leading to waterfall areas.
- Do not swim or wade upstream near a waterfall.
- Watch for slick rocks around waterfalls.
- Do not jump off waterfalls or dive into pools.
- Do not climb on rocks above waist height.
- Watch your children and pets at all times.
- Stay on marked trails and observation areas.
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
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