Waterfall

Silver Run Falls

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: .12 ml
Duration: .25 hr
Ascent: 50 ft
Descent: 50 ft

3675 NC-107, Cashiers, NC 28717

Accessibility: Trail

Beauty Rating: 7

Photo Rating: 8

River: Silver Run Creek

Watershed: Small/Medium

Type & Height: Combination free fall and near-vertical slide; the total height is about 40 feet

Landowner: Nantahala NF, Nantahala RD

Canopy: Open

Waterfall GPS: N 35.0659, W -83.0655

Best Time of Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

Hike Description: An obvious path starts beside the American holly tree at the lower end of the pullout. The path goes about 500 feet to a footbridge over the Whitewater River. From there, it’s a short distance to the base of the falls.

Overview: Everyone loves Silver Run Falls. It’s not big or high, it’s just pretty. And it has one of the finest pools of any waterfall in the state. Typical summer flows expose a sandy beach that’s perfect for the youngsters.
When I first visited Silver Run Falls in the late 1980s, a huge hemlock tree stood at the base of the falls and overhung the pool. A few years later, the tree fell along the edge of the pool. For years, I used it to cross the creek to get to a frontal view of the falls. I thought it would be there forever, but the hurricanes of September 2004 had other plans. Anyone who knows the tree I’m talking about will find it scary to think how powerful those floods were.
If you want to see the falls from in front, you can cross the creek on a pile of rocks at the downstream end of the pool. In normal flows, you can rockhop, but it’s a wade if the water is up.
My favorite aspect of the waterfall is the superb photo opportunities it provides. You can shoot it well from the side or in front. It also works wonderfully as a night-photo subject. You can include a good portion of the night sky in the composition. And the waterfall is close to the road, so you won’t have to hike far in the dark.

Directions to Location

From US 64 in Cashiers, drive south on NC 107 for 5.3 miles and park in the pullout 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

SwimmingSandy PoolPhotography