Western North Carolina is a wonderland of creeks and rivers tightly woven in the terrain of thick mountain laurel and rhododendron of the ancient Appalachian Mountains. Part of the natural characteristics of these mountains is the lush greenery and spectacular mountain views, but along with these incredible geological marvels is the formation of natural waterfalls that are abundant all around the area. Finding a waterfall is like finding a "pot of gold” at the end of a rainbow. Some would say that the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau is a waterfall paradise and every waterfall is a treasure to behold for those ready to explore and discover them.
Waterfalls Near Cashiers and Highlands
Bridal Veil Falls

Directions: From down town Highlands, travel east toward Franklin, NC on Hwy 64. Bridal Veil Falls will be on your right in approximately three miles.
Dry Falls

Directions: From down town Highlands, go east on Hwy 64, toward Franklin, NC for approximately five miles and you will see a forest service sign and the parking area on the left. The parking lot and walkway were renovated in 2012. There are bathrooms available, a viewing platform for those who do not want to walk down to the falls, and a forestry fee station.
Cullasaja Falls

Directions: From down town Highlands, go west on Hwy 64 toward Franklin. Go approximately five miles and the pull-off is on the left. The road is very narrow. There is a rock wall and no place to pull off on the opposite side of the viewing spot. So you may have to go down further to turn around and come back up to safely park on the pull off.
Bust Your Butt Falls (a.k.a. Quarry Falls)

Directions: From downtown Highlands, travel west on Highlands Road (Hwy 64) and travel approximately five miles. There will be parking on the right before the falls and parking on both sides of the road just below the falls.
Glen Falls
Glen Falls is a tiered waterfall that has three different viewpoints. The most dramatic being the top of the falls, where you will find a safety railing and a view of the water flowing over the top of the waterfall with the mountains in the background as far as the eye can see on a clear day. Just amazing! The middle tier has two rock shelves that the water flows over which is very similar to the lower part of the falls that has two more shelves that the water flows over. The water then mimics a creek as it flows down the mountain.
Directions: From Highlands traveling toward Franklin (west), turn left (south) on Hwy 106 (Dillard Road) for approximately three miles. You will see a sign that says "Glen Falls Scenic Area” on the left. Turn left and travel approximately 1.5 miles to a parking area where you will find a sign for the Glen Falls Trailhead (left) and the Chinquapin Trailhead (right).
Directions: From Highlands traveling toward Franklin (west), turn left (south) on Hwy 106 (Dillard Road) for approximately three miles. You will see a sign that says "Glen Falls Scenic Area” on the left. Turn left and travel approximately 1.5 miles to a parking area where you will find a sign for the Glen Falls Trailhead (left) and the Chinquapin Trailhead (right).
Secret Falls
Secret Falls is a secluded waterfall and swimming hole, but isn’t such a secret anymore due to its popularity. It is located off of Horse Cove Road, a gravel back road between Highlands and Cashiers. The trail leads you through a primitive camping site before the trail splits and goes to the right. This trail leads you to the bottom of the falls and a swimming hole. The other trail goes to the left which leads you to the top of the 60 foot falls.
Directions: From down town, Highlands, NC go east on Hwy 64. It will turn into Horse Cove Road. The road will be curvy for approximately 3.7 miles. Turn right on Walking Stick Road (State Road 1608). Go approximately 2.5 miles and you will reach a fork in the road. Take a right at the fork and go about a quarter of a mile to a gravel road (Forest Road 4567). Go another quarter-of-a-mile to a parking area on the left. You will see a sign for Big Shoals Trail. If the road is gated, you can still walk in (about a quarter-of-a-mile) to the trail head to see the falls. You will cross two creeks before you reach the primitive camp site.
Directions: From down town, Highlands, NC go east on Hwy 64. It will turn into Horse Cove Road. The road will be curvy for approximately 3.7 miles. Turn right on Walking Stick Road (State Road 1608). Go approximately 2.5 miles and you will reach a fork in the road. Take a right at the fork and go about a quarter of a mile to a gravel road (Forest Road 4567). Go another quarter-of-a-mile to a parking area on the left. You will see a sign for Big Shoals Trail. If the road is gated, you can still walk in (about a quarter-of-a-mile) to the trail head to see the falls. You will cross two creeks before you reach the primitive camp site.
Picklesimer Rock House Falls
Picklesimer Rock House Falls is a unique 40-foot waterfall in the middle of the forest with no other water around it. It is called "Rock House” because of the way the rock overhang creates a cave-like shelter and the water drops straight down from the top. It is a good spot for primitive camping.
Directions: From down town Highlands, drive south on Hwy 28 (toward Walhalla, SC) for about six miles and take a sharp right on SR1618. There will be a sign for the Blue Valley Campground. This road turns to gravel. Drive about four miles and park at an old logging road on the right. As you walk up, you will see a gate across the road. Go beyond the gate for a little over a half mile, through a clearing to a creek. Follow the creek to the right to reach the falls. There are no signs to the falls.
Directions: From down town Highlands, drive south on Hwy 28 (toward Walhalla, SC) for about six miles and take a sharp right on SR1618. There will be a sign for the Blue Valley Campground. This road turns to gravel. Drive about four miles and park at an old logging road on the right. As you walk up, you will see a gate across the road. Go beyond the gate for a little over a half mile, through a clearing to a creek. Follow the creek to the right to reach the falls. There are no signs to the falls.
Ranger Falls
Ranger Falls is the perfect little waterfall to wade in and cool off. It is a short, relatively level hike and is family friendly. Ranger Falls is accessible from the Cliffside Lake Recreation Area, which has lots of shelters and has a fee for day use.
Directions: Go into the Cliffside Recreation Area, just off of Hwy 64 between Highlands and Franklin, and go left at the fork. The parking area will be on your left after you pass the lake beach area. The trailhead is at the far end of the parking area heading away from Cliffside Lake.
Directions: Go into the Cliffside Recreation Area, just off of Hwy 64 between Highlands and Franklin, and go left at the fork. The parking area will be on your left after you pass the lake beach area. The trailhead is at the far end of the parking area heading away from Cliffside Lake.
Sliding Rock

Directions: From the cross roads of Cashiers (Hwy 64 and 107), drive south on Hwy 107 (toward South Carolina) for about two miles and make a right on Whiteside Cove Road. Take this road for about three miles until you cross a bridge just before the parking area on the right. The trailhead is at the parking area and you can hear the rushing water from the car.
From downtown Highlands go south until the road turns into Horse Cove Road. Go about five miles you’ll reach a fork in the road (Whiteside Cove Road to the left and Bull Pen Road to the right). Take Bull Pen Road for less than a mile to the trailhead which is in a curve and at the crest of a hill.
Silver Run Falls

Directions: From the crossroads of Hwy 64 and 107 in Cashiers, go south on Hwy 107 toward South Carolina. Travel approximately four miles to the trail head and parking area just off the side of the road on the left.
Paradise Falls
Paradise Falls is a three tiered waterfall with individual pristine swimming holes in each tier. The highest waterfall, the deepest pool and the most impressive is the third tier. There is a rope that hangs down on the rock face to help swimmers climb up to the top, to jump into the deep pool below. The water flow is dictated by a dam upstream so it is advised to check the water-release schedule before venturing in for a swim. Paradise Falls is located in-between Cullowhee and Cashiers. The trail is short, but rough and strenuous. However, the setting is worth searching out this treasure.
Directions: From the crossroads of Hwy 64 and 107 in Cashiers, travel north (toward Glenville) on Hwy 107. Go approximately 14.5 miles. Take a right onto 281 (Canada Road). Drive 12.3 miles to the parking area on the right just past the church.
Directions: From the crossroads of Hwy 64 and 107 in Cashiers, travel north (toward Glenville) on Hwy 107. Go approximately 14.5 miles. Take a right onto 281 (Canada Road). Drive 12.3 miles to the parking area on the right just past the church.
Whitewater Falls
Whitewater Falls, also called Upper Falls, at 411 feet high, is known as the highest falls east of the Rockies. It is a North Carolina Natural Heritage Area which is a designation of being "one of the rarest and most outstanding elements of natural diversity in the state.” This is a popular tourist destination and is very busy in the summer season. The walkway from the parking lot that leads to the upper overlook is paved and is handicap accessible. There is a long set of steps down to the lower overlook and a spur trail that descends the mountain side to the Whitewater River. This is a loop trail, is moderately strenuous and has good views of the falls all along the way. In the parking area there are flush toilets, shelters, picnic tables and a fee charged for day use.
Directions: From the crossroads of Cashiers, travel south on Hwy 107 for approximately nine miles to the North Carolina/South Carolina border. After you cross the South Carolina border you will see a sign for Whitewater Falls, then turn left. Go approximately two miles to the intersection of SC Hwy 130 and NC Hwy 281 (which is the North Carolina State Line). You will see a sign for the entrance of Whitewater Falls.
Directions: From the crossroads of Cashiers, travel south on Hwy 107 for approximately nine miles to the North Carolina/South Carolina border. After you cross the South Carolina border you will see a sign for Whitewater Falls, then turn left. Go approximately two miles to the intersection of SC Hwy 130 and NC Hwy 281 (which is the North Carolina State Line). You will see a sign for the entrance of Whitewater Falls.