Dry Falls

Hike Description: Follow the obvious paved path from the lower end of the parking area down to the falls. A new handicapped-accessible boardwalk also leads from the parking area to a viewpoint for the falls.

Overview: The idea is to walk behind the falls without getting wet—hence the name Dry Falls. Sounds good, but try to do so when the water’s up and you’ll call it Drenched Falls. The waterfall is among the most popular in the region, so you can expect company unless you arrive early in the morning. Visit on a weekend in the tourist season and you’ll have to wait for a parking space.
Since the last edition, the Forest Service has built a new parking area complete with odoriferous toilets. The trail to the falls has been upgraded, and there is a new handicapped-accessible viewing platform. Another change is that visitors no longer have to pay an access fee for the falls.
The waterfall has been called Dry Falls forever, but it has also gone by other names in years past, among them High Falls, Pitcher Falls, and Cullasaja Falls.

Directions to Location:

1.  From NC 106 in Highlands, drive 3.15 miles west on US 64 to the parking area on the left.

Trails and Waterfalls can be dangerous; take no chances, only photos for memories. Read our Safety and Insider tips to have a safe, fun and enjoyable trip to Jackson County.

Leave No Trace — Seven Principles

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

For more details, visit www.lnt.org
©1999 by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics