A Hidden Waterfall in Pisgah National Forest

By the time you notice Bullpen Cove Falls, you may already have driven past it. At least that’s what happened to us.

Bullpen Cove Falls is located within the Pisgah National Forest along the scenic U.S. 276 corridor between the Blue Ridge Parkway and Canton, North Carolina. It is one of those increasingly rare places that still feels undiscovered, like a hidden treat just waiting for you around the corner. The roadside waterfall is located on US 276 just 2.2 miles North of the Blue Ridge Parkway. at approximately 35°22’01.0″N, 82°48’44.2″W.

Bullpen Cove Falls cascades down a rocky ravine shaded by towering hardwoods and dense rhododendron thickets. Unlike the region’s better-known waterfalls, Bullpen Cove Falls has no parking area is can only be safely viewed from the inside of your car, making it truly roadside. There are a few places not far from the waterfall where you could pull off and walk to the waterfall, but I caution against that since there are a lot of blind turns and almost no space between the rocky side of the road and the actual road itself.

Bullpen Cove lies within the rugged high country surrounding the Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The cove itself is a valley enclosed by ridges where cool temperatures and abundant rainfall create the ideal conditions for lush forests, moss-covered rocks, and countless waterfalls, cascades and small streams.

A Window into Mountain History

Long before tourists discovered the Blue Ridge Mountains, this region was home to Cherokee communities who hunted, traveled, and traded throughout the surrounding valleys and ridges. During the nineteenth century, European-American settlers established small farms and homesteads in many of the coves and creek valleys.

The arrival of the timber industry in the late 1800s transformed much of western North Carolina. Logging railroads moved into remote mountain valleys, harvesting hardwood and hemlock. In the early twentieth century, conservation efforts led to the creation and expansion of Pisgah National Forest, preserving many of the landscapes visitors enjoy today.

Bullpen Cove remains a reminder of that earlier mountain world – a place where streams, forests, and rugged terrain still dominate the landscape.

The Quiet Side of the Mountains

Western North Carolina is famous for spectacular waterfalls, but places like Bullpen Cove Falls remind us that not every memorable destination needs a dramatic plunge or a famous name. Sometimes the most rewarding discoveries are found in the quiet coves tucked between the ridges, in places where water glides over stone, sunlight filters through ancient forests, and the mountains reveal a more quiet side of themselves. Here, hidden within a shaded Appalachian hollow, visitors can still experience a piece of the Blue Ridge Mountains much as generations before them did: peaceful, wild, and wonderfully unspoiled.

Nearby Points of Interest

Blue Ridge Parkway

Only a short drive away, the Blue Ridge Parkway offers sweeping mountain vistas, hiking trails, and scenic overlooks. During the fall, the surrounding forests explode with color, making the area especially popular with leaf-peepers.

Skinny Dip Falls

Skinny Dip Falls, located on the Blue Ridge Parkway, is comprised of three series of small waterfalls and is about 30 feet high with a small swimming hole at its base. To access Skinny Dip Falls, park at the Looking Glass Rock overlook at milepost 417 on the Blue Ridge Parkway and walk across the parkway to the white blazed Mountains to Sea Trail. The trail is easy to moderate, and is only an 0.8 mile hike.

Graveyard Fields

Graveyard Fields is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 418.8. The trail leading from this overlook features two impressive waterfalls. The Graveyard Fields Loop is 3.2 miles. This moderate trail has a elevation gain of 450 ft. Lower/Second Falls is 55 feet high and Upper Falls is about 40 feet high.

Looking Glass Falls

Perhaps the most famous roadside waterfall in the region, Looking Glass Falls is a popular 60 foot waterfall located in the Pisgah National Forest near Brevard, North Carolina. It is family friendly and wheelchair accessible. There is a roadside platform overlooking Looking Glass Falls beside U.S. 276. The waterfall is open year-round.

Moore Cove Falls

Moore Cove Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in Brevard. This waterfall is an easy one to hike and is family friendly. It’s fairly short – only 1.5 miles round trip. The waterfall is 50 feet high and you can even walk behind it.

Log Hollow Falls

Log Hollow Falls is a pretty 25-30 foot waterfall located in the Pisgah National Forest. Unlike a lot of the waterfalls in this area, Log Hollow Falls doesn’t get as many visitors. The short trail is well defined and follows Forest Service Road 5043 that is closed to vehicles. You can also view Upper Log Hollow Falls and Logging Road Falls.

Daniel Ridge Falls

Daniel Ridge Falls (also called Tom’s Spring Falls or Jackson Falls) is a 150 foot waterfall located in the Pisgah National Forest in Brevard. Depending on the trail conditions and which way you go on the trail will determine the difficulty. The Daniel Ridge Loop Trail is 4 miles, however you can reach the waterfall in 1/2 a mile and return the way you came for a 1 mile hike by going right when the trail splits.

Brevard

Brevard is called The Land of Waterfalls – and for good reason. There are 250 waterfalls located in and immediately around Brevard. It is home to Pisgah National Forest, DuPont State Recreational Forest and Gorges State Park. Brevard serves as the gateway to many of the region’s natural attractions and offers excellent dining, lodging, and outdoor recreation opportunities.