Davidson River

Davidson River is a major tributary of French Broad River in Transylvania County. Much of the area surrounding the river is part of the Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest. For the purposes of this page, Davidson River comprises the National Forest lands bounded by US-64 to the south, Blue Ridge Parkway to the north, NC-215 to the west and US-276 to the east. This area is home to a tremendous number of waterfalls.

Map:

Trails:

Daniel Ridge Loop Trail (#105):

Length: 4 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Blaze: Red

Trailhead GPS: 35.28462,-82.82874

Daniel Ridge Loop Trail starts from the parking on FR-475. FR-5046 leads from the parking area across a bridge over Davidson River and the trail starts right after the bridge to the left. It climbs up along Davidson River passing several scenic cascades. After Daniel Ridge Creek, the trail begins following Right Fork upstream. After a mile, Farlow Gap Trail splits to the left. Daniel Ridge Loop goes right and passes through forest and wildlife clearings. The trail then descends along Toms Spring Branch and ends back at FR-5046 next to Toms Spring Falls. Turn right to return to the parking.

Waterfalls:

Rockhouse Creek Lower Falls:

Lower Rockhouse Creek Falls is a roadside waterfall near the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education.

Toms Spring Falls:

Toms Spring Falls, also called Jackson Falls or Daniel Ridge Falls, is located right along FR-5046 and can be accessed from Daniel Ridge Loop Trail.

Toms Spring Upper Falls:

There is an Upper Falls on Toms Spring Branch that can be accessed from FR-5046.

Twin Boulder Falls:

Twin Boulder Falls is a 60-foot waterfall on Right Fork of Davidson River.

Wildlife:

Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is common on the mountain slopes and typically flowers in late May to early June.

Flame azaleas (Rhododendron calendulaceum) produce brilliant orange-red flowers in late spring.

Fairy wand (Chamaelirium luteum) produces a long, white spike flower.

Jack in the pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) have interesting flowers where the spathe or "pulpit" covers the spadix or "jack".

A snail crawling on rocks along Davidson River.