Looking for a day trip that allows you to see twelve waterfalls in one day? Here’s one for you.
The driving distance clocks in at only 2.5 hours total.
Almost all of these waterfalls are easy and short hikes. Triple Falls and High Falls are both moderate hikes that are on the same trail, so if you don’t want to hike any moderate waterfall trails, simply remove these from your trip. The day trip starts out in the Waterfall Scenic Highway (Highway 64) and ends in the Dupont State Forest. All of these waterfalls are free to visit.
If you wanted to break this trip into two shorter days, you could end at Batson Creek Falls/Connestee Falls and start at Triple Falls the next day.
Or if you had a whole week, you could add our North Carolina Waterfall Road Trip to the end of this one and extend your waterfalling fun! The last three waterfalls of this Day Trip are the beginning of the North Carolina Road Trip.
Click on the links below to see more detailed information for both travel as well as information about the waterfalls provided.
Cullasaja Falls
Cullasaja Falls is located in southwestern North Carolina in the Nantahala National Forest. Cullasaja Falls is on the Cullasaja River and is part of the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway. 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 pulloff or you’ll drive right past.
Quarry 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.
Dry Falls
Dry Falls is my favorite waterfall that you can walk behind. 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.
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.
Silver Run Falls
Silver Run Falls is a pretty 25 foot waterfall 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. Round trip would be about 0.5 miles. Silver Run Falls is the 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.
Twin Falls/Eastatoe Falls
Twin Falls, also called Eastatoe Falls, is located in Eastatoe Valley. This is an easy walk of about 200 yards. The waterfall is located on private property, however they welcome visitors. The waterfall consists of two separate waterfalls. The largest of the two is about 75 feet high. There is a large viewing deck right in front of the waterfalls.
Toxaway Falls
Toxaway Falls, an impressive 150 foot waterfall, is located next to Highway 64 in North Carolina between Brevard and Cashiers. I have been unable to find an area from which the entire waterfall is viewable. Houses and condos have been built all around it. If traveling on Highway 64, 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.
Batson Creek Falls
Batson Creek Falls and its twin, Connestee Falls are located in Transylvania County, near Brevard, North Carolina. This may be a small waterfall, but what it lacks in height, it makes up for in being accessible to all. Batson Creek Falls can be seen from a wheelchair accessible platform. Follow a short walkway from the parking lot next to of Top of the Falls Realty to the waterfall. Batson Creek Falls is the fanned cascade on the opposite side of the ravine from the platform, which is located straight in front of you.
Connestee Falls
From the platform that you can view Batson Creek Falls, you can also see Connestee Falls. Go to the far side of the platform, you will see the top of Connestee Falls. Unfortunately this is the only view currently available to the public of Connestee Falls. There is another viewing area next to Batson Creek Falls on private property, however you need to know someone who lives in Connestee Falls Development to use this viewing area.
Triple Falls
Triple Falls is one of many beautiful waterfalls in the Dupont State Forest. It is a moderate hike to view the waterfalls. There are several different viewing areas for this waterfall. You can view the waterfall in sections and as a whole. Like the name says there are three different waterfalls that make up this one waterfall.
High Falls
High Falls is also a moderate hike, but at least it is worth it – the waterfall is quite impressive. After viewing Triple Falls, you go slightly uphill from the Triple Falls staircase to reach the junction of the Triple Falls Trail and High Falls Trail. To hike to High Falls, turn left and follow the High Falls Trail until you reach the High Falls overlook at 1.1 miles. A staircase will lead down to the base of High Falls.
Hooker Falls
Although Hooker Falls is short in height, only 14 feet, it is breathtaking to view. Hooker Falls flows on Little River inside Dupont State Forest. The trail to Hooker Falls is accessed from the Hooker Falls parking area. The hike is a 0.5 mile round trip and is along a gravel road.
This wraps up your waterfall day trip! We hope you enjoy it!
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