NC Waterfalls   M through S

Mac's Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.15766,-82.99869 (Cold Mountain Gap Parking)

Waterfall GPS: 35.15519,-83.00397

Mac's Falls is a small waterfall on Greenland Creek in Jackson County.  The waterfall is located in Panthertown Valley Backcountry Area in Nantahala National Forest.  The hike to the waterfall is about 2 miles round trip and moderate in difficulty.

To visit the falls, head east on US-64 from Lake Toxaway and turn left to get on NC-281 north.  In just under a mile, bear left to get on Cold Mountain Road.  Go 5.7 miles to the end of the road and turn left onto the gravel road.  Go a short ways and turn right to reach the parking area.  This is the Cold Mountain Gap access to Panthertown Valley.

Pick up Mac's Gap Trail (#482) at the start of the parking area and descend through the powerline clearing towards Greenland Creek.  At the intersection with Greenland Creek Trail (#488), go right and follow the creek for about 0.3 miles.  Where the trail turns right and heads up away from Greenland Creek, look for another trail to the left that follows the creek closely.  Mac's Falls is just a short ways downstream, but for a good view, continue past the waterfall to a spot to go out in the middle of the creek.

Maple Spring Branch Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.10853,-82.88361 (Frozen Creek Access for Gorges State Park)

Waterfall GPS: 35.09196,-82.89581

Maple Spring Branch Falls is an 80-foot waterfall on its namesake at the confluence with Augur Fork Creek in Transylvania County.  The waterfall is located in Gorges State Park.  The hike to the falls is about 5 miles round trip and difficult, including bushwhacking.

To visit the falls, head west from Brevard on US-64 for about 9 miles and turn left on Frozen Creek Road.  Go 3 miles and the parking for Gorges State Park will be on the right.

Hike the Augur Hole Trail for just under 2.5 miles.  The trail will curve to the right; in the outside of the curve is a path leading down the ridge.  There was flagging tape on my last visit.  Follow the ridge down to Augur Fork Creek at the confluence with Maple Spring Branch.  Augur Fork Falls is to the left and Maple Spring Branch Falls is to the right.  It's hard to see Maple Spring Branch Falls from the base.  An obvious path to the right of the lowest drop climbs up to the top of this drop.  From here. there is a good view of the waterfall as well as Augur Fork Falls.

McGalliard Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.76410,-81.57006 (McGalliard Falls Park parking)

Waterfall GPS: 35.76519,-81.56881

McGalliard Falls is a 45-foot waterfall on its namesake creek in Burke County.  The waterfall is located in McGalliarrd Falls Park, a Valdese City Park.  The hike to the falls is less than a mile round trip and easy.

To visit the falls, take exit 112 from I-40 at Valdese.  Go north on Eldred Street for 1.2 miles and bear right on Laurel Street for 1.4 miles. Turn left on Meytre Avenue and then right on Falls Road in about a half-mile.  The entrance to the park will be on the right.

From the parking area, hike down the short trail to the waterfall.  There's an old grist mill and water wheel right next to the waterfall.

Melrose Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.22192,-82.30707 (Pull-off on US-176)

Waterfall GPS: 35.22050,-82.29873

Melrose Falls is a 60-foot waterfall on Big Fall Creek in Polk County.  The waterfall is located on land owned by Pacolet Area Conservancy and public access is allowed.  The hike to the falls is about 1.5 miles round trip and moderate.

To visit the falls, take exit 59 from I-26 near Saluda. Head south on Ozone Road for just under a mile and turn left on US-176 E.  Follow US-176 for 3.3 miles to an old road on the right.  The road is blocked by boulders to prevent vehicular traffic.  The pull-off is in between two bridges over North Pacolet River.

Hike up the old road towards the waterfall.  There are two forks in the trail - at the first bear left and at the second bear right.  In about three-quarters of a mile, you'll reach the waterfall.  A steep path leads down to a rock outcrop near the middle of the falls with decent views.

Middle Creek Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.00693,-83.32907 (Pull-off on NC-106)

Waterfall GPS: 35.01056,-83.33121

Middle Creek Falls is a beautiful 75-foot waterfall on its namesake creek in Macon County.  The waterfall is located in the Nantahala Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest.  The hike to the falls is about a mile round trip and very difficult.

To visit the falls, head south on NC-106 from Highlands.  In 9.3 miles from the intersection with US-64, pull off on the right side of the road at a yellow school bus sign.

From the parking area, a steep path heads down the bank crossing under a powerline clearing and reaching a split.  Right goes to Upper Middle Creek Falls.  Go straight and follow the path towards a ridgeline.  It's hard to follow.  Soon you'll come to the top of Middle Creek Falls, but you can't see much from here.  Look for a very overgrown path that swings away from the creek and heads downstream.  There was flagging tape when we visited.  Eventually, you should come out at a spot roughly in the middle of the waterfall with a nice view of the main drop.

Middle Creek Upper Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.00693,-83.32907 (Pull-off on NC-106)

Waterfall GPS: 35.00799,-83.32857

Upper Middle Creek Falls is a 40-foot waterfall in several sections on its namesake creek in Macon County.  The waterfall is located in the Nantahala Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest.  The hike to the falls is about a half-mile round trip and easy.

To visit the falls, follow the directions to Middle Creek Falls above.  At the split right after crossing under the powerline clearing, turn right and follow the path to the base of Upper Creek Falls.  You can scramble around on the rocks to find the best point to view the waterfall.

Middle Falls (Big Sandy Creek):

Trailhead GPS: 36.38376, -81.02645 (Upper Trailhead Parking at Stone Mountain State Park)

Waterfall GPS: 36.38046, -81.04069

Middle Falls is a small sliding waterfall on Big Sandy Creek in Wilkes County.  The waterfall is located in Stone Mountain State Park.  The hike to the falls is about 1.5 miles round trip and moderate in difficulty, though getting to the base of this waterfall can be quite difficult.  See my Stone Mountain State Park page for directions and more description. 

Middle Falls (Snowbird Creek):

Trailhead GPS: 35.26448,-83.93800 (End of FSR 75)

Waterfall GPS: 35.26225,-83.98170

Middle Falls on Snowbird Creek is a scenic waterfall in Graham County.  The waterfall is located in the Snowbird Backcountry Area in the Cheoah Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest.  The hike to the waterfall is about 10-miles round trip and challenging. 

To visit the falls, head north from Robbinsville on US-129 for a mile or so and turn left on NC-143 W.  Go about 3.5 miles and turn right to stay on NC-143 W.  In 2.2 miles, turn left onto Snowbird Road.  Go 3.1 miles and turn right to get on Big Snowbird Road.  This road changes to gravel and becomes Forest Service Road 75.  Drive approximately 6 miles to the end of this road for the trailhead.

From the trailhead, begin hiking down Big Snowbird Trail (#64) as it follows Snowbird Creek upstream.  In about 2.5 miles from the trailhead, you'll see the remains of an old car with bullet holes and will have to cross Sassafras Creek.  There's no bridge, but we made it across dry.  Go right to stay on Big Snowbird Trail and you'll pass Big Falls on Snowbird Creek and then come to a footbridge over the creek.  Across the bridge, the trail splits.  Either way will go to Middle Falls, but we went right to take Middle Falls Trail (#64A).  Big Snowbird Trail has a number of wet creek crossings and we opted to stay dry.  The trail steeply climbs up the ridgeline above Snowbird Creek then is more or less level for another mile, where it back down to creek level.  At the split go straight/left, where right continues on Big Snowbird Trail.  In a short ways, turn left again and go less than 0.1 miles to a scramble path on the right that leads down to the creek at the base of the falls. 

Middle Prong Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.37057,-82.93944 (FR-97 before gate)

Waterfall GPS: 35.35150,-82.94374

Middle Prong Falls is a beautiful 40-foot waterfall on its namesake in Haywood County.  The waterfall is located in the Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest near Middle Prong Wilderness.  The hike to the waterfall is about 4.5 miles round trip and very difficult.

To visit the falls, head south on NC-215 from Canton for about 13 miles, passing Lake Logan.  Just past Sunburst Campground, turn right into Forest Road 97.  If coming from the Blue Ridge Parkway, go north on NC-215 for about 8.5 miles to FR-97 on the left.  Go about a quarter-mile to where the road is gated, just after the ford.  If this gate is open, you could drive over half the way.

Hike (or drive) down FR-97 for about a mile and a half to the second switchback (and park here if you could drive).  Head down FR-97H, which follows Middle Prong upstream.  In under a quarter-mile, the trail will cross over the middle of Little Beartrap Falls and Waterfall on Berry Branch.  About a half-mile past the two waterfalls, look for a spot where there are two big mounds of dirt on the left with a gap between.  Get off FR-97H and go through the gap.  You should be able to hear Middle Prong Falls from here, but the spot is not very obvious.  It's initially flat and then gets extremely steep.  Rhododendrons provide something to hold on to going down.  You'll come out near the top of the waterfall, but there's no way down from here.  Just before the open rocks at the top of the waterfall a faint path follows the cliffs downstream.  It's real overgrown but eventually comes to a spot close enough to creek level to get down.  Middle Prong Falls is really beautiful and worth the challenging hike. 

Middle Prong Waterfall:

Trailhead GPS: 35.37057,-82.93944 (FR-97 before gate)

Waterfall GPS: 35.34504,-82.94479

Waterfall on Middle Prong is a scenic 10-foot waterfall on its namesake in Haywood County.  The waterfall is located in Middle Prong Wilderness in Pisgah National Forest.  The hike to the waterfall is about 5 miles round trip and moderate in difficulty.

To visit the falls, follow the directions to Middle Prong Falls above, but stay on FR-97H.  You'll come to a fork about a half-mile past the dirt mounds; go left to stay on FR-97H.  The road ends at a ford of Middle Prong, entering the wilderness, and Haywood Gap Trail (#142) picks up on the other side.  Waterfall on Middle Prong is just upstream of the ford.

Midnight Hole:

Trailhead GPS: 35.75159,-83.10977 (Big Creek Trailhead)

Waterfall GPS: 35.73813,-83.12716

Midnight Hole is a 6-foot waterfall on Big Creek in Haywood County. The waterfall is located in the Big Creek Area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The hike to the falls is about 2.8 miles round trip and moderate.

To visit the falls, head west from Asheville on I-40 for around 50 miles and cross into Tennessee.  Take the first exit, 451 and turn left at the end of the off-ramp to go under the interstate.  Turn right and then left on Tobes Creek Road to cross Pigeon River.  Immediately after the bridge, turn left on Waterville Road to head back into North Carolina.  In about 2 miles, the road will enter the park and turn to gravel.  Go about another mile to the Big Creek day-use parking area.

Pick up the Big Creek Trail right before the parking lot.  The trail follows its namesake upstream.  In about 1.4 miles, you can see the waterfall from the trail.  An obvious scramble path leads down to creek level at the inviting pool below the waterfall.  Although the waterfall itself is not very big, the pool at the base of the falls is a great swim hole.  The water is very cold, however.   Midnight Hole is also right on the way to Mouse Creek Falls.

Mill Shoals:

Mill Shoals is two waterfalls, one on North Fork French Broad River and the other on Shoal Creek, located in Transylvania County.  The waterfall is located on private property belonging to Living Waters Ministry, but the folks here are nice enough to allow public access to see the waterfalls.  If you visit, please be respectful of the property owners.

To visit the falls, head west on US-64 from Brevard for about 9 miles and turn right on NC-215 North.  Go about 7.8 miles and there will be a pull-off on the side of the road, right before Clinic Road.  Coming from the Blue Ridge Parkway, go south on NC-215 for about 9 miles to the pull-off.

Hike down to the creek behind the mill to come out at Mill Shoals in less than a tenth of a mile.  The trail continues downstream about a quarter-mile to Bird Rock Falls.  The waterfall straight ahead is French Broad Falls on North Fork French Broad River (first picture below).  The waterfall to the right, next to the old mill, is Shoal Creek Falls (second picture below).  Together, these two waterfalls are Mill Shoals.  Both are only about 15 feet high, but the two waterfalls together makes a lovely scene. 

Milton Bradley Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.27415,-82.30409 (Green River Game Land Access)

Waterfall GPS: 35.28440,-82.27736

Milton Bradley Falls is a 40-foot waterfall on Little Cove Creek in Polk County.  The waterfall is located in Green River Game Lands.  The hike to the falls is about 4 miles round trip and moderately difficult.

To visit the falls, head towards Saluda on I-26 and take exit 59.  Go north on Holbert Cove Road and almost immediately, turn left on Green River Cove Road.  The road is paved but extremely steep and curvy as it heads down to the river.  Those susceptible to car sickness will not enjoy the drive.  Go 3.8 miles on this road and turn right on a gravel road just before the bridge over Green River.  Drive a short ways to a gate and park without blocking the gate.

Hike down the old road past the gate.  In about a mile you'll pass an old barn as you approach Cove Creek.  The road curves to the left and fords Cove Creek.  After the ford, the road heads up through some fields.  About half-way through, the road kind of peters out.  Curve to the right and head towards the southeast corner of the field and into the woods towards Little Cove Creek.  Follow the creek upstream less than 0.5 miles to the waterfall.  There's no trail but it's easy to follow with flagging tape in places.  Stay on river left side until near the end and then cross is probably the easiest way to go.

Mingo Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.53406,-83.27618 (Parking area on Mingo Falls Bridge Road)

Waterfall GPS: 35.53182,-83.27512

Mingo Falls is a gorgeous 120-foot waterfall on Mingo Creek in Swain County.  The waterfall is locate in the Qualla Indian Reservation outside Cherokee.  The hike to the falls is less than half a mile, but there are a number of stairs to climb.

To visit the falls, head north on US-441 from the junction with US-19 2.2 miles.  Turn right on BIA-441 and then left on Big Cove Road in less than a quarter mile.  Follow Big Cove Road for 4.8 miles and turn right on Mingo Falls Bridge Road,  The parking area is across the bridge.

The trail to the overlook for the waterfall is only about a quarter-mile, but involves climbing up more than 100 stairs.  After the stairs, it levels off and reaches a wooden overlook for the falls.  This waterfall is really beautiful and we visited during dry times.  I'd really like to return when the water level is up.

Mingo Upper Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.53406,-83.27618 (Parking area on Mingo Falls Bridge Road)

Waterfall GPS: 35.53179,-83.27403

Upper Mingo Falls is a 20-foot waterfall on Mingo Creek in Swain County.  The waterfall is locate in the Qualla Indian Reservation outside Cherokee.  The hike to the falls is less than a mile round trip, but moderately difficult.

To visit the falls, follow the directions to Mingo Falls above.  At the top of the stairs, make a sharp left on an steep, overgrown path going away from the trail to Mingo Falls.  In about 0.1 miles, the path switchbacks back towards the waterfall.  There will be a path that comes in from the left; go straight until you get to a rocky area with a fence.  Use caution here as you're close to the top of Mingo Falls.  Scramble over the rocks and follow the path that leads upstream along Mingo Creek a short distance to the waterfall.  Although much smaller than Mingo Falls, Upper Mingo Falls is a really pretty waterfall too.

Mooney Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.02902,-83.49766 (Pull-off on FR-67)

Waterfall GPS: 35.02846,-83.49767

Mooney Falls is a waterfall in two sections on Hemp Patch Branch in Macon County.  The waterfall is located in the Nantahala Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest near Standing Indian Mountain.  The hike to the falls is less than a half-mile round trip and easy.

To visit the falls, head west from Franklin on US-64 for 12 miles and turn left onto Old Murphy Road.  Drive 1.9 miles and turn right onto Forest Road 67 towards Standing Indian Campground.  Drive 7.4 miles to a pull-off on the right at the trailhead.  There's a sign here for Mooney Falls.

From the trailhead, follow the trail down a short ways to a split.  Going left goes to the upper cascading portion of the falls.  Turn right at the split to reach the lower 20-foot drop. 

Moore Cove Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.30509,-82.77444 (Parking area on US-276)

Waterfall GPS: 35.31181,-82.77776

Moore Cove Falls is a nice 50-foot waterfall on Moore Creek in Transylvania County.  The waterfall is located in the Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest near Brevard.  The hike to the falls is a pleasant 1.5 mile round trip hike.

To visit the falls, head north on US-276 from US-64 for about 6.7 miles, approximately one mile past Looking Glass Falls.  There is a parking area on the right side of the road immediately before the highway crosses Looking Glass Creek on a beautiful old bridge.  Alternately, if coming from the Blue Ridge Parkway, go south on US-276 for 8.3 miles; the parking area will be on the left.

From the parking area, hike across the creek on the footbridge and follow Moore Cove Trail (#318).  This easy three-quarter-mile trail leads along Moore Creek to the waterfall through a beautiful cove forest.  In the spring time, this is a great area for wildflowers.  There are footbridges over creek crossings, but a few spots can get muddy.  The trail ends at a viewing deck for the waterfall.  Moore Cove Falls plunges about 50 feet over a rock outcrop with a spacious cave behind the waterfall.  Visitors are allowed to go in the cave area for a picnic or to view the waterfall from behind it, but asked not to climb to the top of the falls for safety and environmental considerations.  It's a really cool waterfall, particularly the rock outcrop and cave, and very easy to access.  As such, it's probably the second most popular waterfall after Looking Glass Falls, so don't expect to find solitude.

Moravian Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 36.08721,-81.18960 (Moravian Falls Campground Office)

Waterfall GPS: 36.08626,-81.19019

Moravian Falls is a 40-foot waterfall in two sections on Moravian Creek in Wilkes County.  The waterfall is located on private property owned by Moravian Falls Campground, but the owners are nice enough to allow the public to access the falls.  Please check in at the campground office before visiting.

To visit the falls, head south on NC-18/NC-16 from US-421 in Wilkesboro.  In just over three miles from US-421, turn right on NC-18 south.  In a half mile, turn left on Falls Road and the campground office will be on the right in 0.5 miles.  After checking in, the waterfall is right across the street.  There is a house and a replica mill next to the waterfall that kind of takes away from the scene, but it's nice for a roadside waterfall.

Mount Hardy Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.30342,-82.90864 (Pull-off on NC-215)

Waterfall GPS: 35.30401,-82.91984

Mount Hardy Falls is a 100-foot waterfall on a tributary of West Fork Pigeon River in Haywood County.  The waterfall is located in Middle Prong Wilderness in Pisgah National Forest.  The hike to the waterfall is about 2.5 miles round trip and moderate 

To visit the falls, head west from Brevard on US-64 for about nine miles and turn right on NC-215 north.  Drive about 17.5 miles on NC-215 N to a large pull-off on the left side of the road.  The pull-off is just under a half-mile north of the parkway.  If coming from the Blue Ridge Parkway, take NC-215 N and go 0.4 miles to the pull-off on the left.

From the pull-off, continue down NC-215 a short ways and you should see the Mountains-to-Sea Trail duck into the woods on the left.  You'll cross a creek almost immediately as you enter Middle Prong Wilderness and then cross a larger creek (which is Bubbling Spring Branch).  Once across, follow the MST to the right as it parallels NC-215 on a ridge above the road.  The trail then turns away from the road and heads through an open field.  Hike through the field and bear left to head back into the woods to an easy creek crossing at the headwaters of West Fork Pigeon River.  Look for the tributary coming in from the right.  Get off the MST and bushwhack upstream along this tributary to the base of the waterfall about 0.1 miles upstream. 

Mouse Creek Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.75159,-83.10977 (Big Creek Trailhead)

Waterfall GPS: 35.73507,-83.13356

Mouse Creek Falls is a 45-foot waterfall on Mouse Creek, a tributary of Big Creek, in Haywood County.  The waterfall is located in the Big Creek area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  The hike to the falls is about 4 miles round trip and moderate.

To visit the falls, head west from Asheville on I-40 for around 50 miles and cross into Tennessee.  Take the first exit, 451 and turn left at the end of the off-ramp to go under the interstate.  Turn right and then left on Tobes Creek Road to cross Pigeon River.  Immediately after the bridge, turn left on Waterville Road to head back into North Carolina.  In about 2 miles, the road will enter the park and turn to gravel.  Go about another mile to the Big Creek day-use parking area.

Pick up the Big Creek Trail right before the parking lot.  The trail follows its namesake upstream.  In about 1.4 miles, you'll pass Midnight Hole, a great swim hole when the weather is warm.  In another half-mile, the trail passes by Mouse Creek Falls.  The waterfall tumbles down into Big Creek from across the creek.

Nasty Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.05325,-83.05386 (End of Heady Mountain Road)

Waterfall GPS: 35.05119,-83.04944

Nasty Falls is a small waterfall on Whitewater River in Jackson and Transylvania County (the county line runs down the river).  The waterfall is located in Nantahala and Pisgah National Forest (in Jackson and Transylvania counties, respectively).  The hike to the waterfall is extremely difficult.

To visit the falls, head south from Cashiers on NC-107.  Drive about 5.5 miles and turn left on Heady Mountain Road.  Follow this gravel road for 1 mile to the end at a bridge over Whitewater River.  Park on the right immediately before the bridge.  This hike is very difficult and a GPS and topo map are needed.  You'll need to strike out through the woods and follow the river downstream.  There's no trail and just a maze of old logging roads and paths.  About a half-mile from the parking, get in the river and creek-walk downstream to Nasty Falls.  I think the name came from the Whitewater community.  There's a bunch of logs and junk at the base, making it look "nasty".  I though the side view from the top was nicer.

Nellie's Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.20970,-83.02836 (End of FSR-4662)

Waterfall GPS: 35.20130,-83.03303

Nellie's Falls is a scenic 30-foot waterfall on Flat Creek in Jackson County.  The waterfall is located in the Nantahala Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest.  The hike to the falls is under 2 miles round trip and moderate.

To visit the falls, head north on NC-281 (Blue Ridge Road) from the intersection with US-64 in Lake Toxaway.  Drive about 9.2 miles on NC-281 (it changes from Blue Ridge Road to Canada Road in about 6.8 miles) and turn left on Rock Bridge Road, a narrow gravel road.  Bear right at the first fork in about three-quarters of a mile and then bear right again at just under two miles.  You will now be on Forest Service Road 4662 (Flat Creek Road).  There is a Forest Service Sign at this second junction, but sometimes its obscured by foliage.  Once on FSR-4662, go about 2 miles to the end and park.

Begin the hike by crossing Flat Creek, either by wading or crossing on the logs.  Once across take the second left after a hundred feet or so and follow the path heading slightly up.  The trail parallels Flat Creek heading upstream.  At the first junction, bear left to head closer to Flat Creek.  In another quarter-mile, stay straight when another path heads left down to the creek.  In another quarter-mile, the trail basically ends.  Go left and follow a path that leads upstream along Flat Creek.  The path ends at a small cascade below the main falls.  Cross the creek here and head past the big rock to come out at the base of Nellie's Falls.

Newt Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.94715,-81.85547 (Pull off on FR-496)

Waterfall GPS: 35.94514,-81.85596

Newt Falls is a scenic tall waterfall on Steels Creek in Burke County.  The waterfall is located in the Wilson Creek Area of Pisgah National Forest.  The hike to the falls is less than a half-mile round trip but very difficult to get down for a good view.

To visit the falls, head north on NC-181 from Morganton for about 21 miles to FR-496 on the right.  Alternately, if coming from the Blue Ridge Parkway, take NC-181 south for 6.2 miles to FR-496 on the left.  Follow this gravel road for 0.9 miles to an obvious pull off on the left.  It's a short ways before the road crosses Steels Creek.  This is an old trailhead parking for the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.  Follow the MST a short ways from the parking to where it crosses Steels Creek above the top of Newt Falls.  Try to find the best way to go down for a good view.  Stay as close as possible to the creek and you should come out at rocky spot where you can get out into the creek at the base of the part of the waterfall in the picture.  The waterfall continues down, but I didn't go any further.

North Harper Creek Falls:

North Harper Creek Falls is a beautiful 200-foot sliding waterfall on its namesake creek in Avery County, although the entire thing cannot be seen from one point.  It is located in the Wilson Creek area of Pisgah National Forest

North Shoal Creek Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.17658,-84.23215 (Pull-off on Prospect Road)

Waterfall GPS: 35.17823,-84.23449

North Shoal Creek Falls is a beautiful 30-foot waterfall on North Shoal Creek in Cherokee County.  The waterfall is located in the Tusquitee Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest near Apalachia Lake.  The hike to the falls is under a mile round trip and moderately difficult.

To visit the falls, head west from Murphy on US-64 for 7.6 miles and turn right on NC-294 west.  Go 8.7 miles and turn right on Hiwasee Dam Road.  Drive 9.9 miles, crossing Hiwasee Dam, and turn left on Morrow Road.  In 1.6 miles, turn left on gravel Prospect Road.  Drive about 0.6 miles and look for a pull-off.

From the pull-off, bushwhack down towards the lake in a general northwest direction.  It's very open and not too steep, so not bad at all for a bushwhack. One down at lake level, there is a path following North Shoal Creek upstream a short ways to the waterfall.

Otter Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 36.14970,-81.80905 (Otter Falls Trail parking off Skyland Drive)

Waterfall GPS: 36.14823,-81.80804

Otter Falls is a waterfall on Valley Creek in Watauga County.  The waterfall is located in a small park owned by the town of Seven Devils.  The hike to the waterfall is 1 mile round trip and moderate.

To visit the falls, head south on NC-105 from Boone.  At 9.8 miles from US-321, turn right on Seven Devils Road.  Drive 1.3 miles and turn left on Skyland Drive (there's a sign for Otter Falls at the turn).  In three-quarters of a mile, the parking area will be on the left.  It's a small parking area, so try to arrive early to secure a spot.

From the parking area, follow the Red Trail (there's a near the beginning, but it doesn't matter which way you go) about a half-mile to the Blue Trail.  This is also a loop, but the most direct way to the falls is the right path.  You'll pass an overlook and then turn right on the Orange Trail to head down to the falls.

Panthertown Creek Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.16793,-83.03980 (Salt Rock Gap parking)

Waterfall GPS: 35.14871,-83.02364

Panther Town Creek Falls is a tall cascading waterfall on its namesake in Jackson County.  The waterfall is located in Panthertown Valley in Nantahala National Forest.  The hike to the falls is about 4 miles round trip and difficult, including bushwhacking.

To visit the falls, head east on US-64 from Cashiers for about 2 miles and turn left on Cedar Creek Road.  Drive 2.3 miles and turn right on Breedlove Road.  Drive 3.5 miles to the end at the Salt Rock Gap parking area in Nantahala National Forest.

Hike down the old road behind the gate, which is Panthertown Valley Trail (#474).  Stay straight on Panthertown Valley Trail at the first forks and go right at the second on Deep Gap Trail (#449).  Descend a short ways to Frolictown Falls and go left on Granny Burrel Falls Trail (#486).  Just after the bridge over Panthertown Creek, turn right on Great Wall Trail (#489).  Go about a mile on this trail until it curves to left and starts to head up.  At about the 3760 foot contour, get off the trail to the right and head towards the creek.  There's no trail, but try to follow the contour line around to the creek.  It's open at first then gets more overgrown with rhododendron.  As you get close to the waterfall, drop down to the creek at the base of the waterfall.  The creek is really overgrown with rhododendron, so don't want to have to creek walk.

Paradise Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.22556,-83.00348 (Pull-off on NC-281)

Waterfall GPS: 35.22437,-83.00537

Paradise Falls is a waterfall on Wolf Creek in Jackson County, right below the Wolf Creek Lake dam.  The waterfall is located in the Nantahala Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest.  The hike to the falls is a challenging 1.5-mile round trip.

To visit the falls, head west on US-64 from Brevard.  Just before Lake Toxaway, bear right on NC-281 north and drive 12.6 miles.  Shortly after passing Tanasee Creek Lake and Wolf Creek Lake, there will be a large pull-off on the left.

From the pull-off, you should see a steep trail heading down.  You'll have to cross Wolf Creek a ways upstream of the falls and then continue steeply down.  There's no real trail but it's obvious where others have gone.  As you get closer the waterfall, there will be a split.  Going right leads to the upper portion of the waterfall.  You can get a nice view of the top of the waterfall and the interesting rock formations on the cliffs up here, but be very careful as the rocks in the area are steep and slippery.  Going left and basically straight down leads to the base of the waterfall.  There is a huge pool here that makes a fantastic swim hole when the weather is warm.  Unfortunately, the flow of the creek is controlled by the dam and so most times, the water flow is light.  I would love to come back here when the water is flowing a little better - this would be a spectacular waterfall given the fascinating geology of the surrounding rocks.  Always be very careful down here as the water level is subject to significant changes without notice if the dam overflow gates are adjusted. 

Pauline Longest Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.13237,-78.86327 (Lower Baseball Field Parking)

Waterfall GPS: 35.13068,-78.85851

Pauline Longest Falls is a 15-foot waterfall on a tributary of Cape Fear River in Cumberland County.  The waterfall is located along the Pauline Longest Nature Trail system at Methodist University in Fayetteville.  The hike to the falls is less than a mile and easy.

To visit the falls, head north from downtown Fayetteville on Ramsey Street.  In about 5.3 miles, turn right on into Methodist University.  The campus is a little confusing, so when entering at the guard shack, ask for directions to the baseball fields.  Continue to the last parking area past the baseball fields.  The trail picks up across the railroad tracks.  There are two intersections; bear right at both.  There are signs indicating this is the way to the waterfall.  At under a half-mile, you'll come to the waterfall that drops through a small slot canyon.

Pearson's Falls:

Pearson's Falls is a beautiful 90-foot waterfall on Colt Creek, just outside of Saluda in Polk County.  The falls are located on private property, owned by the Tryon Garden Club, but are publicly accessible.  There is a $5 fee per person to visit the waterfall.

To visit the falls, take exit 59 on I-26/US-74 for Saluda and turn on Ozone Road.  Turn left on US-176 east and go about 3 miles and turn right on Pearson Falls Road.  The entrance to the falls will be on the left in about a mile.  The property is well signed and easy to find.

After paying the entrance fee at the guard shack, go to the parking area.  From here, the short Pearson Family Trail leads upstream along Colt Creek, reaching the base of the falls in about 0.3 miles.  Although the trail is short and well-maintained, there are roots and rocks and other tripping hazards.  There are restrooms near the parking area and picnic tables throughout to enjoy a picnic lunch in the glen.  Do not cross any of the fences near the creek or falls as they are erected to ensure visitor safety.

Perry Park Waterfall:

Trailhead GPS: 36.19445,-81.86713 (Perry Park Parking)

Waterfall GPS: 36.19440,-81.86693

Perry Park Waterfall is a small roadside waterfall on Pond Creek in Watauga County.  The waterfall is located in Perry Park in the town of Beech Mountain.

To visit the falls, head south from Boone on NC-105 for about 13 miles and turn right on NC-184 north.  Go just over 4 miles and turn left and then right to stay on NC-184, which becomes Beech Mountain Parkway.  In 4.3 miles, turn right on Tamarack Road and Perry Park will be on the right in 0.3 miles.  The waterfall is visible from the parking area and there is a picnic area next to it.  The area is developed and there are culvert pipes visible at the top so not the most scenic waterfall around, but easy enough to visit.

Philips Branch Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.97285,-81.76556 (Parking on Brown Mountain Beach Road)

Waterfall GPS: 35.96856,-81.77135

Philips Branch Falls is a 50-foot waterfall on its namesake creek in Caldwell County.  The waterfall is located in the Wilson Creek area of Pisgah National Forest.  The hike to the waterfall is about 1 mile round trip and moderate in difficulty, though the scramble down to the base is tricky.

Picklesimer Rock House Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.01241,-83.24913 (Pull off on FSR 79)

Waterfall GPS: 35.01872,-83.25346

Picklesimer Rock House Falls is a 40-foot waterfall on a tributary of Abes Creek in Macon County.  The waterfall is located in the Nantahala Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest.

To visit the falls, head south on NC-28 for 6 miles.  Just before the Georgia state line, make a sharp right-hand turn onto Blue Valley Road.  This road turns to gravel and becomes Forest Service Road 79 as it enters the forest.  Go about 4 miles from the turn off NC-28 to a pull-off on the side of the road next to a gated road heading right.  The pull-off is just over a half-mile past the Blue Valley Primitive Campground.

Hike up the gated forest road (you can't see the gate from FSR 79).  In about a half-mile the road runs through a wildlife clearing and then comes to a creek.  Turn right at the creek and head upstream a short ways to the waterfall.  This waterfall has a huge grotto so you can walk behind it and view it from various angles.  It's not a stretch call this a rock house - it really is big enough to live under here!

Pinhook Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.25598,-82.93982 (Pull-off on Charleys Creek Road)

Waterfall GPS: 35.25872,-82.93341

Pinhook Falls is a 15-foot cascading waterfall on Pinhook Creek in Jackson County.  The waterfall is located in the Nantahala Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest.  The hike to the waterfall is about a mile round trip and difficult, requiring walking in the creek.

To visit the falls, head west on US-64 from Brevard for about 8 miles and turn right on NC-215 north just before Rosman.  Drive just under 14 miles and turn left on Charleys Creek Road.  Go 1.7 miles to a small pull-off on the left side in a right-hand curve in the road.

From the pull-off, walk back up Charleys Creek Road a short ways and take an overgrown gravel road on the right heading into the woods.  In a couple hundred feet, the road fords Pinhook Creek.  Just before the ford, there is some semblance of a path following the creek upstream.  Follow this as long as you can and then get in the creek and continue heading upstream.  The waterfall is less than a half-mile upstream from the ford and you're getting close if you see an open area (that's private property) on the left.  There's an old log structure right next to the waterfall, probably the remains of an grist mill.

Pot Branch Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.56577,-81.72229 (Parking at end of Old CC Road)

Waterfall GPS: 35.56116,-81.71712

Pot Branch Falls is a small waterfall on its namesake creek in Rutherford County.  The waterfall is located in the South Mountains Game Land.  The hike to the waterfall is about a mile round trip and easy.

To visit the falls, head west from Morganton on US-64 for about 15 miles.  Turn right and then immediately left on NC-226 south.  Drive 7.5 miles and turn left on Jonestown Road.  Go 1 mile and turn left on Melton Road.  In just over a half-mile, bear right on Old CC Road, which becomes gravel.  It's about 3 miles on Old CC Road to an open parking area.

From the parking area, hike down the old road past the gate.  In about a quarter-mile, turn right to cross Pot Branch and follow it downstream to the waterfall.  The waterfall is small, but very scenic as it falls through a narrow chasm in the rocks.  The waterfall makes a great swimhole but be very careful as the rocks are slippery and avoid the top of the waterfall.  We saw a girl fall from the top and seriously injure her foot.

Pothole Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.15766,-82.99869 (Cold Mountain Gap Parking)

Waterfall GPS: 35.15540,-83.00454

Pothole Falls is a small waterfall on Greenland Creek in Jackson County.  The waterfall is located in Panthertown Valley Backcountry Area in Nantahala National Forest.  The hike to the waterfall is about 2 miles round trip and moderate in difficulty.

To visit the falls, head east on US-64 from Lake Toxaway and turn left to get on NC-281 north.  In just under a mile, bear left to get on Cold Mountain Road.  Go 5.7 miles to the end of the road and turn left onto the gravel road.  Go a short ways and turn right to reach the parking area.  This is the Cold Mountain Gap access to Panthertown Valley.

Pick up Mac's Gap Trail (#482) at the start of the parking area and descend through the powerline clearing towards Greenland Creek.  At the intersection with Greenland Creek Trail (#488), go right and follow the creek for about 0.3 miles.  Where the trail turns right and heads up away from Greenland Creek, look for another trail to the left that follows the creek closely.  The trail passes by Mac's Falls and then Pothole Falls is just a short ways downstream.  Go out on the rocks for a good view.

Potholes:

Trailhead GPS: 35.01520,-83.12671 (Parking area on Bull Pen Road/FSR 1178)

Waterfall GPS: 35.01618,-83.12636

The Potholes are a series of rapids along the Chattooga River on the Macon/Jackson county line.  The waterfall is located in the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River area in Nantahala National Forest.

To visit the falls, if you're coming from Cashiers, head south on NC-107 for just under 7 miles from US-64 and turn right onto Bull Pen Road, which becomes Forest Service Road 1178.  Go just under 5.5 miles and you will cross Bull Pen Bridge, a one-lane iron bridge.  After the bridge, the road curves left and then right.  There is a parking area on the side of the road where it turns right.  If you're coming from Highlands, take Horse Cove Road, which becomes Bull Pen Road/FSR 1178 for 7.5 miles to the parking area on the right.

You can see the Potholes from the Bull Pen Bridge (also called the Iron Bridge) or you can climb down from the east side of the bridge for a view from river level.  The waterfall is not that big or impressive, but it's a pretty scene with the old bridge above.  The rocks around the falls are also a nice spot to relax and enjoy the river. 

Rain Forest Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.12538,-83.79408 (Pull-off on FR-340)

Waterfall GPS: 35.12706,-83.77968

Rain Forest Falls is a 15-foot waterfall on Bald Springs Branch in Clay County.  The waterfall is located in the Fires Creek Recreation Area in the Tusquitee Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest.  The hike to the waterfall is 2 to 3 miles round trip and extremely difficult.

To visit the falls, go north on Tusquitee Street from Hayesville and cross Hiwasee River.  Turn left on Fires Creek Road and drive 4.6 miles.  Turn right on Fires Creek Wildlife Road and go just under 8 miles to a pull-off on the right.  The road becomes gravel and changes to FR-340 as you enter the forest.

From the pull-off, hike up FR-340 a short ways to a split, where FR-340C goes to the left.  Stay on FR-340, which is gated at this point, and cross Long Branch on a bridge.  It is about a mile to where the road makes a sharp turn to the left.  Get off the road and bushwhack down to Fires Creek - Bald Springs Branch should flow in right across the creek.  Wade the creek, which may be difficult in high water, and bushwhack up Bald Springs Branch on the river-left side.  It's very steep and overgrown with rhododendron, but when you get up, you should pick up some semblance of an old logging grade.  Lower Bald Springs Falls will be below you at creek level.  Continue on the old logging grade for about 0.2, passing Bald Springs Falls and then bushwhack down to creek level to the falls.  You should be able to hear it from above.  It's a nice waterfall, but incredibly difficult to reach and there is a lot of deadfall at the base.

Rainbow Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.08947,-82.95181 (Grassy Ridge Parking Area in Gorges State Park)

Waterfall GPS: 35.09071,-82.96587

Rainbow Falls is a beautiful 125-foot waterfall on Horsepasture River in Transylvania County.  The waterfall is located in the Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest.  However, the only legal access to the waterfall is through Gorges State Park.  The open area around the falls and the heavy mist and spray produced makes this an ideal waterfall for viewing a rainbow.

To visit the falls, head west from Brevard on US-64 for about 18 miles, passing Lake Toxaway, and turn left on NC-281.  In just under a mile, turn left into Grassy Ridge section of Gorges State Park and drive through to the Rainbow Falls Trailhead parking.  The orange-blazed Rainbow Falls Trail leads to the waterfall in about 1.5 miles, leaving the state park and entering the national forest in about three-quarters of a mile.

Ranger Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.08129,-83.23596 (Cliffside Lake Recreation Area parking)

Waterfall GPS: 35.08784,-83.22444

Ranger Falls is a 30-foot waterfall on Skitty Creek in Macon County.  The waterfall is located in the Cliffside Lake Recreation Area in Nantahala National Forest, just outside of Highlands.  The hike to the waterfall is about 2.5 miles round trip and moderate in difficulty.

To visit the falls, head west on US-64 from Highlands for just over 4 miles.  You will pass Bridal Veil and Dry Falls in the Cullasaja River Gorge on the way.  Just after Van Hook Glade Campground, turn right into Cliffside Lake Recreation Area.  Stop at the fee station to pay the day use fee and continue just over a mile to a parking area on the right.

From the trailhead, pick up the Ranger Falls Trail at the far end of the parking lot.  The trail ascends moderately for just under half a mile to a split.  Straight continues to Flat Mountain.  Turn left and descend towards Skitty Creek and begin to follow the trail upstream.  Eventually, the trail crosses Skitty Creek at the base of the waterfall.  The water level was very low when I visited, so not a great picture.

Red Butt Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.15766,-82.99869 (Cold Mountain Gap Parking)

Waterfall GPS: 35.18026,-83.00675

Red Butt Falls is a long sliding waterfall on Tuckasegee River in Jackson County.  The waterfall is located in Panthertown Valley Backcountry Area in Nantahala National Forest.  The hike to the waterfall is about 5 miles round trip and moderate in difficulty.

To visit the falls, head east on US-64 from Lake Toxaway and turn left to get on NC-281 north.  In just under a mile, bear left to get on Cold Mountain Road.  Go 5.7 miles to the end of the road and turn left onto the gravel road.  Go a short ways and turn right to reach the parking area.  This is the Cold Mountain Gap access to Panthertown Valley.

Pick up Panthertown Valley Trail (#474) at the end of the parking area and follow it down the switchbacks.  In about a mile, turn right on Devils Elbow Trail (#448).  Go about 1 mile and after crossing Little Green Creek is a split with Riding Ford Trail (#450).  Bear right to stay on Devils Elbow Trail and go another 0.3 miles to where the trail turns right.  Take an obvious path to the left that comes to another fork in 0.1 miles.  Go straight/right and follow this path about 0.2 miles to Red Butt Falls.  Climb down the rocks on river left to reach the base.

Red Rock Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.27620,-82.89192 (End of FSR 140 before gate)

Waterfall GPS: 35.29197,-82.90373

Red Rock Falls is a 35-foot cascading waterfall on Courthouse Creek in Transylvania County.  The waterfall is located in the Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest.  The hike to the waterfall is a challenging 3-mile round trip.

To visit the falls, head west from Brevard on US-64 for about 10 miles.  Near Rosman, turn right on NC-215.  Drive for 10.5 miles and turn right on Forest Service Road 140.  Drive 3.25 miles on the gravel road, passing a bridge over Courthouse Creek and proceed to the end at the gate. 

Gated FSR 140B also starts here to the left, but don't go that way.  Hike up FSR 140 past the gate for about three-quarters of a mile to where the road ends.  Go left and climb steeply up the ridge, passing Upper Falls on Courthouse Creek.  There's not much of a path, but keep following Courthouse Creek upstream.  You'll cross the creek twice, getting back to the left side of the creek.  In about 0.3 miles, two forks flow together.  Cross the creek to the right side and follow the right fork upstream, which is Courthouse Creek.  Cross the creek once more to get on the left side and in about a quarter mile, you'll reach the waterfall.  There's a path to the right that leads to the base.  The trail continues and eventually reaches the Blue Ridge Parkway at Devil's Courthouse, though I've never gone past the waterfall.  It looks mighty steep on the topo map. 

Reece Place Falls:

Reece Place Falls is a 60-foot waterfall on East Fork French Broad River in Transylvania County.  The waterfall is located on land that will be part of Headwaters State Forest.  Since the forest is not yet open to the public, I'll wait to to post GPS or directions.

Reid Branch Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.07795,-82.99367 (Pull off on Brewer Road)

Waterfall GPS: 35.07051,-82.98693

Reid Branch Falls is a 20-foot waterfall on a tributary of Thompson River in Transylvania County.  The waterfall is located in the Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest.  The hike to the falls is just under 2 miles round trip and moderate.

To visit the falls, head west on US-64 from Brevard towards Lake Toxaway.  In Lake Toxaway, go left to stay on US-64/NC-281 and go about 2.5 miles, then turn left onto NC-281 south.  Drive 3.7 miles, passing Gorges State Park on the left, and turn left onto Brewer Road and park along the side of the road.

Right at the turn for Brewer Road, start hiking up the gated logging road.  In 0.8 miles, there will be a small path to the left that leads down towards Reid Branch.  The turn is right before the more obvious right-hand turn for High Falls.  Follow this steep path down to Reid Branch.  I had to wade in the creek and through the rhododendron to get a view of the falls.  Before reaching the creek, another path leads to a good view of the falls from the side.

Rhapsodie Lower Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.18814,-82.95361 (Gravel road off Winding Gap Road)

Waterfall GPS: 35.18581,-82.97306

Lower Rhapsodie Falls is a 30-foot waterfall on an unnamed tributary of West Fork French Broad River in Transylvania County. The waterfall is located in the Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest near Dismal Falls.  The hike to the falls is a moderate 2 miles round trip.  The tributary that this waterfall is on is not marked on the topo map, but its the next drainage to the northwest of Dismal Creek.

To visit the falls, head north on NC-281 from US-64, just east of Lake Toxaway.  Go 6.2 miles and turn left onto Winding Gap Road.  Almost immediately, there will be an old one-lane gravel road the forks to the right.  Drive down to the end of this at the gate and park in the turnaround without blocking the gate.  I think this was the old NC-281 before it was paved and straightened.

Hike down the old logging road past the gate.  The old road continues for about a mile and is pretty easy to follow, with a couple of easy stream crossings.  In about a mile, the road ends at West Fork French Broad River.  Cross the river, which should be an easy rock-hop unless water levels are way up.  Follow a path to the right and you'll come out at the base of this waterfall.

Rhapsodie Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.18814,-82.95361 (Gravel road off Winding Gap Road)

Waterfall GPS: 35.18453,-82.97482

Rhapsodie Falls is a beautiful 70-foot waterfall on an unnamed tributary of West Fork French Broad River in Transylvania County. The waterfall is located in the Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest near Dismal Falls.  The hike to the falls is about 2.5 miles round trip and challenging.

To visit the falls, follow the directions to Lower Rhapsodie Falls above.  Once at the base of the lower falls, cross the creek and follow the very steep path upstream along the unnamed tributary through the rhododendron.  It's less than a quarter-mile to the base of this waterfall.

Rich Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.07795,-82.99367 (Pull off on Brewer Road)

Waterfall GPS: 35.04997,-82.98378

Rich's Falls is beautiful 35-foot waterfall on Thompson River in Transylvania County.  The waterfall is located in the Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest.  The hike to the falls is about 5 miles round trip and very challenging.

To visit the falls, head west on US-64 from Brevard towards Lake Toxaway.  In Lake Toxaway, go left to stay on US-64/NC-281 and go about 2.5 miles, then turn left onto NC-281 south.  Drive 3.7 miles, passing Gorges State Park on the left, and turn left onto Brewer Road and park along the side of the road.

Right at the turn for Brewer Road, start hiking up the gated logging road.  In about a mile from the start, you will see a path that splits to the right.  This trail leads to High Falls.  Continue on the main trail, which begins to descend via a couple switchbacks and leads to a ford across Thompson River.  You'll need to cross the river here.  Unless the water level is way down, you'll need to wade.  If the water level is high, this could be a dangerous crossing, so avoid this area in times of high water.  After crossing the river, continue on the logging road for about 1.5 miles from the ford.  You'll pass some side paths that lead to campsites or other waterfalls, but stay on the main path.  The old road roughly parallels Thompson River, but on a ridge high above the river.  After about 1.5 miles from the ford or about 2.5 miles from the trailhead, look for a side path to the left that's just after some old logging cable sticking up in the road.  The last time I was here, there was some marking tape and you could hear the waterfall from the trail and we were able to see down to river level from the main trail.  This turn is about a half-mile before the turn for Big Falls.  Follow this very steep trail down to the river and the waterfall will be just upstream.  Rock hop or wade into the river for the best views.

Riding Ford Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.15766,-82.99869 (Cold Mountain Gap Parking)

Waterfall GPS: 35.17431,-83.00272

Riding Ford Falls is a sliding waterfall on Tuckasegee River in Jackson County.  The waterfall is located in Panthertown Valley Backcountry Area in Nantahala National Forest.  The hike to the waterfall is about 4.5 miles round trip and moderate in difficulty.

To visit the falls, head east on US-64 from Lake Toxaway and turn left to get on NC-281 north.  In just under a mile, bear left to get on Cold Mountain Road.  Go 5.7 miles to the end of the road and turn left onto the gravel road.  Go a short ways and turn right to reach the parking area.  This is the Cold Mountain Gap access to Panthertown Valley.

Pick up Panthertown Valley Trail (#474) at the end of the parking area and follow it down the switchbacks.  In about a mile, turn right on Devils Elbow Trail (#448).  Go about 1 mile and after crossing Little Green Creek is a split with Riding Ford Trail (#450).  Bear left on Riding Ford Trail and descend to the ford of the river.  The waterfall is immediately downstream.  A path on river right descends to the base for a view of the falls.

Riverview Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 36.37880,-81.41156 (Pull off on Cox Road)

Waterfall GPS: 36.37881,-81.41187

Riverview Falls is a 30-foot waterfall on a tributary of South Fork New River in Ashe County.  The waterfall is on private property but is visible from the road.

To visit the falls, head east from Boone on US-421 south for about 10 miles and turn left on US-221 north.  Go about 12.4 miles and turn right on NC-163 east.  In 2 miles, turn left on Frank Dillard Road and go just under 3 miles to NC-88 E/NC-16 S.  Turn right and then right again onto Cox Road in 0.4 miles.  Cox Road is paved but turns to gravel after about 1.3 miles.  In 1.5 miles, the road makes a sharp right turn and runs along New River.  The pull-off is on the left and the waterfall will be on the right in a couple hundred feet.

Roaring Fork Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.76849,-82.19533  (Outside Busick Work Center)

Waterfall GPS: 35.76004,-82.19158

Roaring Fork Falls is a 100-foot sliding cascade along its namesake creek in Yancey County.  The waterfall is located in the Appalachian Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest near Mount Mitchell.

To visit the falls, head east out of Burnsville on US-19 east for about 4 miles and turn right on NC-80 south.  Go about 11.5 miles and turn right on South Toe River Road.  Almost immediately, turn left on Busick Work Center Road and drive to the end.  There is a parking area just outside the gate for the work center.  Alternately, coming from the Blue Ridge Parkway, get off on NC-80 north and go about 2.2 miles to South Toe River Road.

From the trailhead, hike up the gated forest road (FSR 5520), which is also Roaring Fork Falls Trail (#195)  for about a half-mile.  The road will cross Roaring Fork on a bridge.  Turn right just before this bridge and follow the short path up to the waterfall. 

Rock Slab Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.55685,-83.49431 (Clingmans Dome Parking)

Waterfall GPS: 35.54404,-83.50732

Rock Slab Falls, also called Forney Creek Cascades, is a waterfall on Forney Creek in Swain County.  The waterfall is in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  The hike to the waterfall is about 6 miles round trip and difficult.

To visit the falls, head north from Cherokee on US-441 for about 19 miles to Newfound Gap.  Turn left on Clingmans Dome Road (closed during the winter) and go 7 miles to the parking at the end.

Pick up Forney Ridge Trail at the end of the parking lot that descends from the start of the paved Clingmans Dome Trail.  Follow Forney Ridge Trail 1.1 miles to Forney Creek Trail and turn left.  From here, it's a steep 2 mile descent along the trail to campsite #68.  The waterfall is right behind the campsite.

Rockhouse Creek Lower Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.28612,-82.80217 (Pull-off on FR-475)

Waterfall GPS: 35.28645,-82.80249

Lower Rockhouse Creek Falls is a small waterfall on Rockhouse Creek just above the confluence with Davidson River in Transylvania County.  The waterfall is located in the Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest.  The waterfall is viewable roadside.

To visit the falls, head north on US-276 from US-64 east of Brevard.  Go 5.3 miles and turn left on FR-475 at the sign for the fish hatchery.  Go 2 miles and a small pull-off is on the left right before the road crosses Rockhouse Creek.  The waterfall is immediately upstream of the road.

Rough Butt Creek Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.32784,-83.04047 (Pull off on Caney Fork Road)

Waterfall GPS: 35.31990,-83.02307

Rough Butt Creek Falls is a 30-foot waterfall on it's namesake creek in Jackson County.  The waterfall is located in the Nantahala Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest.  The hike to the falls is about 3 miles round trip and moderate in difficulty.

To visit the falls, head south on NC-107 from Cullhowee for about 2 miles and turn left on Caney Fork Road.  Drive 9.6 miles on Caney Fork Road.  Immediately after the road changes to gravel, find a place to park on the side of the road.

Backtrack on Caney Fork Road to where the road curves to the right.  Turn left on the Rough Butt Road. a small gravel drive.  The road ends at a ford over Caney Fork.  There used to be a bridge, but it washed out.  Ford the creek and pick up the old road on the other side, which is FSR-4669.  Hike along this road for under a mile to where the road fords Rough Butt Creek.  Immediately after crossing the creek, climb the steep bank on the left and follow Rough Butt Creek upstream.  It's not much of a trail, but pretty easy to follow, though there are a couple tricky spots.  The path ends at the base of the falls.  I had to wade in the creek to get a good view of the waterfall.

Rough Run Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.21035,-83.14788 (Shoal Creek Road)

Waterfall GPS: 35.20621,-83.16506

Rough Run Falls, also called Thurston Hatcher Falls, is a tall waterfall on Rough Run in Jackson County.  The waterfall is located on private property, but its possible to access it legally.  The hike to the waterfall is about 3 miles round trip, a little longer if you continue on to High Falls.

To visit the falls, head north from US-64 in Cashiers on NC-107 for 8.4 miles.  Turn left on Shoal Creek Road; it's a sharp turn, almost 180 degrees.  Right away, you should see a gated road on the right.  Park along the gravel road here, without blocking the gate or the road.

From the parking area, hike down the gated road.  Pay attention to the signs.  This is private property, but the landowner is nice enough to allow the general public access to view the natural resources.  Please be respectful and abide by the rules.  In just over a quarter mile, there is a fork - go left.  The trail loops around and follows West Fork Tuckaseegee River upstream.  In about 1.5 miles from the start, look for a trail to the right.  There was flagging tape when I was here.  Rough Run Falls is directly across the creek.  The other side of the river is private property, so don't cross to the other side.  But unless the dam is open or the water is high, it's easy to rock hop into the creek and get pictures of the waterfall.

Roy Taylor Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.27633,-83.01432 (Pull-off on Charleys Creek Road)

Waterfall GPS: 35.27932,-83.01258

Roy Taylor Falls is a 20-foot waterfall on Sols Creek in Jackson County.  The waterfall is located in the Nantahala Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest.  The hike to the falls is less than a mile and moderately difficult.

To visit the falls, go north on NC-281 from US-64 in Lake Toxaway for 16.7 miles.  Right after crossing Sols Creek, turn right on Charleys Creek Road.  Drive 1.5 miles to a gravel parking area on the left just before a bridge over Sols Creek.

From the parking area, continue up Charleys Creek Road 200 feet or so past the bridge and make a sharp left on an overgrown logging road following Sols Creek upstream.  Follow this road less than half a mile and you should be able to see and hear the waterfall through the trees.  Bushwhack down to creek level - it's pretty steep and lots of rhododendron, but it's also very short.

Rufus Morgan Falls:

Trailhead GPS: 35.14660,-83.54738 (Pull-off on FSR 388)

Waterfall GPS: 35.14273,-83.54792

Rufus Morgan Falls is a 60-foot waterfall on Left Prong Rough Fork in Macon County.  The waterfall is located in the Nantahala Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest.  The hike to the falls is an easy to intermediate 1-mile round trip.

To visit the falls, head west on US-64 from Franklin for about 4 miles and turn right on Old Murphy Road.  In a quarter-mile, turn left Wayah Road.  Drive 6.4 miles and turn left on Forest Service Road 388.  Note that our car GPS didn't have this road listed and had us "off-roading" to the trailhead.  Drive 2 miles down FSR388 and park at the trailhead for Rufus Morgan Trail.

Hike Rufus Morgan Trail (#29) up the ridgeline and through a landslide area to where it crosses Left Prong Rough Fork.  There are some pretty cascades here and you can see Rufus Morgan Falls upstream through the trees.  After the crossing, the trail splits, where left makes a loop to go back to the parking area and right heads up to the waterfall.