Brevard and Transylvania County are celebrated for their 250 waterfalls, many of which are truly spectacular. When you have that many to choose from, the competition can get pretty tough. We ranked our Top 10 based on beauty, accessibility, and the sense of awe they inspire. Consider this a starting place to discovery.
#10 MOORE COVE FALLS
PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST
Wind your way through fern banks and mature forest to this lovely cove. It’s all quite enchanting — as are the falls themselves, which cascade like a thin veil over a rock grotto.
#9 WINTERGREEN FALLS
DUPONT STATE RECREATION FOREST
A lesser known gem tucked away in a quieter area of DuPont but quite easy to get to, although you will need to be careful on the rocky trail leading to the base of the falls.
#8 HOOKER FALLS
DUPONT STATE RECREATION FOREST
This picturesque ledge-style waterfall tumbles into a pool that’s darn near perfect for swimming. The flat sandy banks make getting in and out of the Little River a cinch. Featured in the hit movie “The Last of the Mohicans.”
#7 UPPER BEARWALLOW FALLS
GORGES STATE PARK
A moderate one-mile hike on a well-maintained trail brings you to a safe and roomy viewing platform that offers up a long-range look at this remote waterfall in Gorges State Park.
#6 TURTLEBACK FALLS
PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST VIA GORGES STATE PARK
Located a short hike upriver from Rainbow Falls (see #3), Turtleback has a laid back, calming vibe that makes it a nice contrast to its more famous sibling.
#5 BATSON FALLS/CONNESTEE FALLS
HWY 276 BETWEEN BREVARD AND CEDAR MOUNTAIN
A kid-friendly and wheelchair accessible boardwalk leads you to a viewing area above Connestee Falls that offers up a nice long-range view of Batson Creek Falls and its lovely 20-foot-tall cascade.
#4 TRIPLE FALLS
DUPONT STATE RECREATIONAL FOREST
In terms of sheer holy-smokes visual impact, it’s hard to beat the one-two punch of Triple and High Falls, which are co-located on the Little River. Both falls have been featured in a number of movies, including “The Last of the Mohicans” and “The Hunger Games.”
#3 RAINBOW FALLS
PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST VIA GORGES STATE FOREST
Rainbow Falls is a beautiful 150-foot ribbon of whitewater that many enthusiasts consider to be the most striking in western North Carolina. Sunlight catches the mist coming off the falls, creating the phenomenon for which the cascade is named.
#2 UPPER WHITEWATER FALLS
PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST
At 411 feet, Whitewater has the distinction of being the tallest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. It’s also highly accessible. From the parking lot ($2/vehicle), a paved pathway takes you to the first viewing stand.
#1 LOOKING GLASS FALLS
PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST
Because of its beauty and accessibility, Looking Glass Falls is possibly the most photographed waterfall in America outside of Niagara Falls. And, frankly, no visit to Transylvania County is complete without a stopover here.
Waterfalls are true natural marvels, but they can be dangerous. Be Waterfall Wise by sticking to the following guidelines:
- Observe all posted signs leading to waterfall areas
- Do not swim or wade upstream near a waterfall
- Stay within marked trails and observation areas
- Watch for slick rocks around waterfalls
- Do not jump off waterfalls or dive into pools
- Watch your children and pets at all time
- Do not climb on rocks above waist height
