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Looking for an incredible outdoor adventure chasing waterfalls? Spend a day in the beautiful Highlands, North Carolina! Tucked away in the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains, the scenery of this charming town is just incredible- mountain views and roaring waterfalls quite literally at every turn. And while it was hard to narrow the list to just 10, I’ve crafted the perfect itinerary allowing you to explore them all in just one day. So, put on your hiking boots, pack a picnic, and prepare to explore the scenic landscape of Highlands, North Carolina!
Entrance Fee:
All waterfall stops are free, except for the Dry Falls Lot, which requires a $3 fee. A kiosk and a QR code are available at the trailhead.
Lodging:
There are numerous camping and hotel options in the Highlands area. The closest campground to Highlands is the Van Hook Glade Campground, located in Nantahala National Forest. Reservations can be made through Recreation.gov.
For hotel accommodations, Highlands offers several choices. I highly recommend the Skyline Lodge, but other excellent options include the Outpost Inn and Old Edwards Inn. Additionally, there are many cabin rentals and VRBO options available in the area.
Dining:
Highlands, North Carolina, has MANY food options.
Personal Recommendations in Highlands:
Casual/Kid- Friendly: Ugly Dog, Blue Bike Café, BlackBear Breakfast and Lunch, Highlands Pizza Place, Highlands Smokehouse.
Fine Dining/NOT Kid-Friendly: Oak Steakhouse, Lakeside Restaurant, Ristorante Paoletti
The only stop with a picnic area or shelter is the Whitewater Falls Parking Lot.
Know Before You Go:
- Leashed dogs are allowed on all hiking trails in this itinerary.
- All parking areas along this route are small. Start early and complete the itinerary in this order to have the best chance at securing a spot.
- Access to restrooms is limited; only Dry Falls and Upper Whitewater Falls have restrooms available.
- I recommend downloading an AllTrails map for trails on this itinerary. (Want to check out AllTrails+? Use this link for a discount- AllTrails+.)
- Please remember to follow Leave No Trace principles.
1 Day Itinerary
Cullasaja Falls
Distance: 0.2 miles round-trip
Trail Route: Out-and-back
Trail Difficulty: Hard
Elevation Gain: 100+ ft
Trail Access: Park in the pull-off via US-64.
Pet Friendly: Yes, on leash.
Restroom at Trailhead: No
This trail is the most challenging one of the day, especially if you plan to venture all the way down to the base of the stunning 250-foot waterfall. Parking is available along US-64, about 9 miles northwest of Highlands, with space for only about 3 to 4 cars.
You can view the majestic falls from the pull-off area, but if you’re seeking a bit more adventure, I highly recommend making your way past the guardrail to a small overlook. The trail begins to the left of the large boulder that occupies much of the hillside. Many people attempt to go down the right side, but this route lacks a clear path and is much steeper. Instead, head to the left overlook and switchback down the hillside, following the rocky, unmarked but well-defined trail. It’s steep, but manageable. Just before reaching the bottom, you’ll need to do a bit of scrambling to access the best viewpoints. The base of the falls is spectacular, and I promise you the views are worth the extra trek!
Quarry Falls
Distance: roadside
Trail Route: Out-and-back
Trail Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 0 ft
Trail Access: Park in the pull-off via US-64.
Pet Friendly: Yes, on leash.
Restroom at Trailhead: No
Just 2 miles south on US-64, there’s a well-marked pull-off for Quarry Falls. The 15-foot waterfall cascades into a large pool that is visible right from the road. If you’re interested in exploring, you can walk along the rocky shore for a closer look.
Dry Falls
Distance: 0.3 miles round-trip
Trail Route: Out-and-back
Trail Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 40+ ft
Trail Access: Park in the Dry Falls Lot via US-64.
Pet Friendly: Yes, on leash.
Restroom at Trailhead: Yes
The next waterfall on this adventure is Dry Falls, located just 3 miles south on US-64. There is a large parking lot and restrooms available. This stop is the only one of the day that requires a fee. To pay the $3 fee, you can use the kiosk or scan the provided QR code.
Right off the parking area, there’s an overlook platform that offers a great view, but I really encourage you to take the short trail for an even more spectacular experience! You’ll be treated to stunning views from both sides of the falls, and you won’t want to miss the chance to feel the cool spray of the water as you walk behind the falls to the viewpoint on the other side of the Cullasaja River. With a stunning 75-foot drop, Dry Falls is definitely my favorite waterfall of the day! 😊
Please exercise caution when walking behind the falls, as the area can be slick. You are also likely to get wet.
Bridal Veil Falls
Distance: roadside
Trail Route: Out-and-back
Trail Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 0 ft
Trail Access: Park in the pull-off via US-64.
Pet Friendly: Yes, on leash.
Restroom at Trailhead: No
The last waterfall stop along US-64 is Bridal Veil Falls, located less than a mile south of Dry Falls. There is a small pull-off where you can park and walk right under the falls. Even in the spring, the water flow is low, so I imagine it might be even less impressive during the summer months. However, it’s still worth a quick stop to see even a trickle of water cascading over the stunning 45-foot cliffside.
Glen Falls (Upper, Middle, Lower)
Distance: 2.6 miles round-trip
Trail Route: Out-and-back
Trail Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 700+ ft
Trail Access: Park in the lot at the end of Glen Falls Road
Pet Friendly: Yes, on leash.
Restroom at Trailhead: No
The Glen Falls Trail is located just minutes from downtown Highlands. To reach it, take Glen Falls Road, which is unpaved but accessible for most cars, all the way to the end. The parking area has approximately 8 to 10 spots, but the turnaround can be tricky. If possible, back into your spot to make it easier to exit after your hike.
The trailhead begins on the southwest side of the parking lot. From there, you will descend the mountain via switchbacks until reaching the turnaround point.
At 0.2 miles, you will arrive at a trail junction. Turn right to take a short spur trail (0.1 miles round-trip) that leads to a viewpoint of the Upper Falls from the top. There is a small platform offering lovely views of the 70-ft Upper Falls, the surrounding mountains, and the valley below.
After enjoying the views, head back to the trail junction and continue down the mountain, heading right again. You’ll walk for another 0.2 miles until you reach the viewpoint for the bottom of the Upper Falls. From there, continue your descent for another 0.2 miles. You will see a wooden fence, and if you look upstream to your right, you’ll get beautiful views of the 60-ft Middle Falls.
To find the 15-foot Lower Falls, continue your descent for another 0.3 miles. Although it’s the smallest of the three waterfalls, the large pool it cascades into is quite picturesque, and it’s the perfect place to enjoy a quick snack.
While the trail continues beyond Lower Falls, that is the last waterfall on this route. You can choose to turn around here or continue down the mountain for another 0.3 miles to reach the picnic area. Once you’ve decided where to turn around, retrace your steps all the way back up!
Secret Falls
Distance: 1.4 miles round-trip
Trail Route: Out-and-back
Trail Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 200+ ft
Trail Access: Park in the Secret Falls Lot via Big Creek Road.
Pet Friendly: Yes, on leash.
Restroom at Trailhead: No
The trailhead for Secret Falls is only 9 miles from the Glen Falls Trailhead, but once you reach Big Creek Road, be prepared for a winding, unpaved road and a slow pace to the trailhead. Have a map downloaded beforehand, as both the trail and parking area are unmarked (AllTrails is a great option!).
When you arrive at the trailhead, you’ll notice two paths splitting off—make sure to veer left to stay on the Secret Falls Trail. As you make your way down the mountain, there will be a couple of small water crossings. No worries, though! If you’ve got waterproof footwear, you should stay nice and dry, even in spring.
After you navigate the wooden steps, take a left to discover the stunning 50-foot Secret Falls. It’s such a peaceful spot to unwind and soak up the beauty of the forest cove. Before you head back, don’t miss the smaller falls just to the right of the steps. They’re absolutely lovely, with water cascading over the rocky ledges and flowing down into the gorge. Similar to Glen Falls, it will be an uphill climb as you retrace your steps back to your vehicle.Â
Silver Run Falls
Distance: 0.2 miles round-trip
Trail Route: Out-and-back
Trail Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 10+ ft
Trail Access: Park in the Silver Run Falls Lot via NC-107.
Pet Friendly: Yes, on leash.
Restroom at Trailhead: No
The Silver Run Falls trailhead is located 14 miles from the Secret Falls Trailhead off of NC-107. This quick little trail is very straightforward and leads to a lovely 25-ft waterfall. In the summer, there’s a cute little beach, and it’s a great place to swim. However, on our last visit, the beach area was nowhere to be found due to the higher water levels, so instead, our kiddos worked on their rock-jumping skills!
Upper Whitewater Falls
Distance: 0.5 miles round-trip
Trail Route: Out-and-back
Trail Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 50+ ft
Trail Access: Park in the Whitewater Falls Lot via NC-281.
Pet Friendly: Yes, on leash.
Restroom at Trailhead: Yes
This last waterfall of the day is the tallest waterfall east of the Rockies, standing at an impressive height of over 400 feet. The first overlook is accessible via a quick paved path off the large parking area. While you could turn back at this point, I highly recommend getting a closer look by descending the large set of stairs to the right of the overlook. This stunning waterfall is a fantastic way to conclude your day!
Have an incredible adventure!
Looking for another North Carolina itinerary? Check out our Grandfather Mountain State Park post!
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