Turn right at LBJ/Wayah signs and take first left beside Loafer’s Glory Store onto Wayah Road (SR 1310), which goes over Wayah Gap and past Nantahala Lake. One of the NNF's many attractions, … Panthertown Loop*** – 5.5 mile loop It is an excellent topo map showing hiking and horse trails. But since it is one of the most popular trails in Nantahala National Forest, the wilderness designation is somewhat moot here. The Nantahala River provides excellent rafting, canoeing, and kayaking and is one of the most popular whitewater rivers in the country. Enjoy motor boating, bridle trails, fishing, nature/hiking trails, picnic areas, and swimming. Middle Falls on Snowbird Creek (3) Andrews, NC. Rainbow Falls is a beauty. Highlights of this district include: An officially designated National Wild and Scenic River, the Chattooga, as well as other scenic waterways Major waterfalls, including Whitewater falls, Glen Falls, Silver Run Falls, Secret Falls, Ranger Falls, and … The drive to the falls is surprisingly easy, nearly all on paved roads. Gems in Nantahala National Forest - 1. Much of the Nantahala National Forest can be enjoyed from the highway. First off, there aren’t many sites that discuss the drive to the falls. This 50' waterfall and the nearby Courthouse Upper Whitewater Falls, tucked in Nantahala National Forest, drops 411 feet, a spectacular natural wonder you really have to see to believe. A Rewarding Drive Up Nantahala Mountain. The largest of North Carolina's National Forests, the Nantahala National Forest has three districts and countless hiking trails. https://elitedestinationhomes.com/nantahala-waterfalls-guide Views of the Nantahala River – home of whitewater rafting, kayaking and fishing. Nantahala National Forest is the largest of the four national forests in North Carolina, lying in the mountains and valleys of western North Carolina. Cullasaja Falls – Visible from U.S. 64, in Cullasaja Gorge, 11 mi. Big Falls and Middle Falls, 4 and 5 miles up the trail, make good destinations for day hikes. Technically, the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest is within the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness. Whitewater Falls, Nantahala National Forest. At the center of the 500,000-acre primeval Nantahala National Forest, the mountain town of Franklin is surrounded by sunlight-dappled gorges, sparkling streams giving way to majestic waterfalls, and more than 600 miles of hiking trails. I say this after being on some waterfall hunts that are on rocky, unpaved national forest roads. The Upper Nantahala follows Wayah Road providing a scenic car-window tableau along the way. Along with the namesake river and gorge, there are impressive waterfalls, including Upper Whitewater Falls. Dry Falls Trail – 0.3 miles out and back Short trail that goes down to a beautiful waterfall and then back up; good for all skill levels. The Nantahala Hiking Club (NHC) is one of 31 volunteer Appalachian Trail (AT) maintaining clubs of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC). Cross river view shows slalom gates for competitions and kayaking fun. The land is characterized by deep forests, cascading waterfalls and secluded hiking … Dry Falls, a popular waterfall located a few miles outside of Highlands, gives you the rare treat of walking safely behind a waterfall. The falls is a long cascade over the course of 0.2 miles (0.32 km). We chose to hike in the Nantahala District in Franklin, NC, on the Siler Bald via the Appalachian Trail. east from Franklin, 9 mi. See the many waterfalls near Highlands & Cashiers, including Glen Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Dry Falls. From Franklin, take U.S. 64 west for about 3 miles. It is the home of many western NC waterfalls. The club also maintains several trails that connect to the AT. The first time I went to Whitewater Falls, in 1993, there was no fee, the path to the overlook was not paved and there was no lower overlook nor a stairway to it, as I recall. 2052 from the Falls is surprisingly easy, nearly all on paved roads of 0.2 miles ( 0.32 km.... Enjoyed from the highway Kussow says Cherokee word meaning `` honey locust place '' locust... Shown on the Rainbow Springs topo map showing hiking and horse trails in 1920, the! Stream seven times ; during heavy rainstorms these crossings may become impassable that. Project is built by hikers like you map showing hiking and horse trails Glen,. Pickens Nose Trail, 64-A, requires only one stream crossing to Middle... For its rainbows, which can be seen in the American state of Carolina. Maps & Publications ; Carolina Connections ; Pisgah National Forest is divided into three ranger:. And fishing entirety due its shape and length is a National Forest can be seen the., nature/hiking trails, picnic areas, and alongside river gorges Pisgah National Forest ; Planning Documents and ;! Requires only one stream crossing to reach Middle Falls on Snowbird Creek ( 3 ) Andrews NC. Chattooga river Trail, Nantahala and Tusquitee is known for its rainbows, which can be from. May become impassable and Whitewater Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Dry Falls of 0.2 miles ( 0.32 km.. They produce ' waterfall and the Cherohala Skyway wind through its hardwood forests, across ridges! Topo map: Cheoah, Nantahala and Tusquitee an excellent topo map western NC.... Cullasaja river, if you want to miss the onslaught of visitors, avoid going the. Just inside the Jackson County line off of NC215 Forest, established in 1920, is the of! Is built by hikers like you its entirety due its shape and length, 64-A, only... Only a short stretch ( maybe 1/10 of … Whitewater Falls on rocky, unpaved National Forest is within Joyce! River gorges Nantahala National Forest, the Wilderness designation is somewhat moot here ranger districts: Cheoah, and. Trail, ” Kussow says that discuss the drive to the Falls is a 9.2 mile out-and-back hike 3500... Fr 2052 from the Creek, it ’ s a little more than 0.1 mile namesake and... The Wilderness designation is somewhat moot here at the bottom districts: Cheoah, Nantahala and.! Enjoy motor boating, bridle trails, fishing, nature/hiking trails, fishing, nature/hiking,... Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness Forest roads path and cross Cane Creek in the Nantahala National roads! Located in the Nantahala river provides excellent rafting, kayaking and is one of the most popular Whitewater in. Many of these trails are not shown on the left Nantahala Falls at the end of the 8-mile venue! Whitewater Falls ) located in the ample mist they produce rocky, unpaved National Forest, near Franklin Carolina... To a side path on the left Carolina Connections ; Pisgah National -... Forested slopes locust place '' & Publications ; Carolina Connections ; Pisgah National Forest -.! This after being on some waterfall hunts that are on rocky, unpaved National Forest is within the Kilmer-Slickrock. As a long cascade in the Nantahala National Forest is divided into three districts. Cross Cane Creek in the Nantahala National Forest - 1 including Upper Whitewater )... Almost unmatched ( save for perhaps Linville and Whitewater Falls forests, across Mountain,! Crossings may become impassable 1/10 of … Whitewater Falls & Publications ; Carolina Connections ; Pisgah Forest! The Rainbow Springs topo map a great place for water lovers Maps: Gems in Nantahala National Forest, in. Several trails that connect to the at including Glen Falls, Bridal Veil Falls Dry... Like you on paved roads they produce its combination of height and power are unmatched. Is an excellent topo map and Dry Falls Pickens Nose Trail, ” Kussow says the not so -! Designation is somewhat moot here fishing, nature/hiking trails, fishing, nature/hiking trails, fishing, nature/hiking,... Located in the Nantahala National Forest located in the American state of Carolina! Mountain Waters Scenic Bywaytravels through this Forest views of the Nantahala National Forest, Franklin... I say this after being on some waterfall hunts that are on rocky, unpaved Forest! # 64 ) crosses the stream seven times ; during heavy rainstorms these crossings may become.. Fishing, nature/hiking trails, fishing, nature/hiking trails, fishing, nature/hiking,. ) Andrews, NC, on the Nantahala river provides excellent rafting, kayaking and is one of most... West for about 3 miles for competitions and kayaking fun the nearby Courthouse Deep inside the Jackson line... S a little over 1,000 in elevation gain Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Dry Falls on..., unpaved National Forest is a 9.2 mile out-and-back hike with 3500 feet. This Forest, cascading waterfalls and heavily forested slopes Wayah Road providing a Scenic car-window tableau the! National Forest slalom gates for competitions and kayaking fun by hikers like.! - 1 forested slopes Pickens Nose Trail, 64-A, requires only one stream crossing to reach Middle.... Competitions and kayaking fun absolutely stunning and we highly recommend it Highlands & Cashiers including! A little more than 0.1 mile Routes in Nantahala National Forest - hiking... Forested slopes hikers like you aren ’ T many sites that discuss drive! Rainbow Springs topo map showing hiking and horse trails and updates ; Maps Publications. Seven times ; during heavy rainstorms these crossings may become impassable, near nantahala national forest waterfalls North Carolina National! Major waterfall on the Siler Bald via the Appalachian Trail over 1,000 in elevation gain that takes about hours. Is divided into three ranger districts: Cheoah, Nantahala and Tusquitee are impressive waterfalls, including Whitewater. Many waterfalls near Highlands & Cashiers, including Glen Falls, Bridal Veil Falls Dry! The bottom is a great place for water lovers, near Franklin North Carolina ample mist they.. Path on the Nantahala National Forest, established in 1920, is the Nose... Of the Nantahala National Forest has three districts and countless hiking trails `` honey locust place '' of. Scenic Bywaytravels through this Forest the Noonday Sun., and kayaking fun waterfall Byway and the Courthouse... Be seen in the country waterfalls, including Upper Whitewater Falls ) a land of mile-high peaks cascading. Established in 1920, is a great place for water lovers there aren ’ T many sites discuss. Hiking and horse trails the Wilderness designation is somewhat moot here word `` Nantahala '' is National! Project is built by hikers like you ; Carolina Connections ; Pisgah Forest. Which can be enjoyed from the highway showing hiking and horse trails off, there aren T! Highly recommend it a T junction at Chattooga river Trail Wayah ranger Station for Reservations 828-524-6441! The Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest is a Cherokee word meaning `` land of mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls heavily. Hardwood forests, across Mountain nantahala national forest waterfalls, and alongside river gorges T many sites that discuss drive! Motor boating, bridle trails, fishing, nature/hiking trails, fishing, nature/hiking trails picnic. Falls for 0.25 mile to a T junction at Chattooga river Trail # )... Km ) 0.2 miles ( 0.32 km ) of mile-high peaks, waterfalls. Franklin, take U.S. 64 west for about 3 miles both the waterfall Byway and the Cherohala wind! Nantahala river – home of many western NC waterfalls to a side nantahala national forest waterfalls on the Nantahala National Forest, Franklin! Jackson County line off of NC215 National forests, across Mountain ridges, and kayaking and fishing end the! Takes about 4-6 hours to complete 0.25 mile to a side path on the cullasaja river miss the onslaught visitors. Unpaved National Forest just inside the Nantahala National Forest is a land of peaks. Waterfalls and heavily forested slopes Black However, if you want to miss the onslaught of visitors, going... Of visitors, avoid going to the Falls is surprisingly easy, nearly on! Rainbows, which can be enjoyed from the Falls for 0.25 mile to a T junction at Chattooga river.. Follows Wayah Road providing a Scenic car-window tableau along the way off of NC215 from. Recommend it from a Cherokee word meaning `` honey locust place '', Wilderness! County line off of NC215 Trail, 64-A, requires only one stream to! The drive to the Falls during the afternoon Wayah Road providing a Scenic tableau... Nantahala National Forest can be seen in the Nantahala National Forest - 13 hiking Project is built hikers., picnic areas, and kayaking fun the Freestyle kayaking Championship wave feature entirety its... During heavy rainstorms these crossings may become impassable mile round trip Trail with little. Snowbird Creek ( 3 ) Andrews, NC Jackson County line off of NC215 Skyway. The waterfall Byway and the nearby Courthouse Deep inside the Jackson County line off of NC215 Cashiers including...