A section of U.S. Route 64 called the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway is where we start this waterfall day trip from Cashiers to Highland. The Mountain Waters Scenic Byway is a gorgeous drive by itself with several breathtaking rapids along the side of the road, including the Cullasaja Rapids along the way. The drive time for this waterfall day trip clocks in at 1 hour and 18 minutes so there is plenty of time to enjoy each of the waterfalls as well as the drive itself.
Silver Run Falls
Silver Run Falls is a pretty 25 foot waterfall located in Nantahala National Forest located about 10 minutes from Cashiers, North Carolina. There’s a short well-worn trail through a scenic wooded area, about 0.25 feet in length to the base of the waterfall, with a round trip of about 0.5 miles.
Silver Run Falls is perfect outing for the whole family, however it is not wheelchair accessible. It’s easy to get to, with a clearly defined gravel and dirt trail that leads straight to the waterfall. There is a large pool of water in front of the waterfall, which many people use as a swimming hole during hot summer days. Get there early to avoid the crowds.
Toxaway Falls
Toxaway Falls, an impressive 150 foot waterfall, is located next to Highway 64 in North Carolina between Highlands and Cashiers. While you cannot view all of Toxaway Falls from this vantage point, you can still see an impressive view of the waterfall.
If traveling on Highway 64, toward Cashiers and Highlands, you cross a bridge below a dam for the lake. There is a place to pull off on the westbound side of the road. Carefully cross the road to a walkway above the waterfall. It’s a great place to get out and stretch your legs while enjoying a great view!
Bridal Veil Falls
Although Bridal Veil Falls, is 60 feet tall, it doesn’t have much water flow unless it has rained a lot. After a heavy rain, the water flow increases which is the best time to view Bridal Veil Falls. I wouldn’t recommend a special trip to see this waterfall, but you’ll have to drive past it anyway so you may as well check it out.
Dry Falls
Dry Falls is my favorite waterfall that you can walk behind, as well as my favorite waterfall on this day trip. Dry Falls is 75 feet in height and is on the Cullasaja River. The hike distance is 0.2 miles to the waterfall. The trail to Dry Falls is paved and goes right up to, behind, and around the waterfall to the other side.
Quarry Falls/Bust Your Butt Falls
Quarry Falls (also known as Upper Cullasaja Falls, or Bust Your Butt Falls) is a 20-foot, multi-tiered cascade in the Cullasaja River Gorge. Quarry Falls is best known for its large, deep pool at the bottom and is a popular swimming hole during warm weather.
Cullasaja Falls
Cullasaja Falls is located in southwestern North Carolina in the Nantahala National Forest on the Cullasaja River. The height for this impressive waterfall has been disputed with ranges from 137 feet to 250 feet, depending on if you include the cascades. You can see Cullasaja Falls at a distance from US 64 while driving by. The waterfall is located beside of a series of blind curves, with sheer rock cliffs above and below the road. Be watching for the pull off or you’ll drive right past.
This is just a day trip, if you have longer than a day that you want to explore more waterfalls in this area, please check out our Waterfall Byway/Dupont State Forest Day Trip. This longer day trip adds Twin Falls, also called Eastatoe Falls, Batson Creek Falls, Connestee Falls, as well as our Dupont National Forest Day Trip.
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