Cullasaja Falls

Cullasaja Falls and its similarly-named river source were named for the Cherokee word meaning “honey locust place” due to the prevalence of the trees in the area, the pods of which the Native Americans used as a sweetener.

A towering 200-foot falls running parallel to what the Franklin Press once called likely “the greatest scenic highway in all the state,” the Cullajasa River takes a plunge here, making for gorgeous drive-by scenery. A few caveats, however: The falls are only photo-worthy when there’s a steady source of water, so be sure to avoid drier seasons. And the scenic US 64 may be picturesque, but near Cullajasa Falls, it can be a bit dangerous, with blind curves, narrow roads and steep drop-offs here and there.