5 Unique Waterfalls In Western North Carolina Worth Chasing
Finding a waterfall near you in Asheville, North Carolina isn’t hard with the Blue Ridge Parkway as veins that run right outside of the city. If you’ve already made your way through my LGBTQ+ guide to Asheville or taken your own self-guided bike tour in West Asheville, it’s time to grab your hiking boots, adventurous spirit, towel, and head out. After visiting and reviewing some twenty plus waterfalls during my summers here, inspired by the book North Carolina Waterfalls by Kevin Adams, local folks and travelers alike keep asking me which one is “the best.” It’s a difficult question to answer! It’s like someone asking you what the best movie of all time is when looking for a new movie to watch.
Well, what type of films do you like? Action, drama, romance or si-fi? Just like pinpointing the best cinematic masterpiece may be challenging when someone comes to you for movie recommendations, waterfall recommendations feel similar. All of the waterfalls and swimming holes that I’ve visited over the past five years years have had different personalities, energies, tones, and features. With that being said, I’m breaking down some of the types of waterfall experiences and giving you the best of the best in each category. So let’s dive in!
Or should I say slide in? The first waterfall that made our list is one that’s bursting with fun, and for some, fear.
1. The Most Fun: Turtle Back Falls
Turtle Back Falls is a heck of a ride. Once you make the around 1.75 mile hike there, you’ll have an “ah-ha” moment as to how it was given its name! The waterfall is pretty popular in the summer with people gathering to watch their friends and family ride down the falls, or even make the plunge themselves.
One of the coolest things about the hike to Turtle Back Falls? You’ll pass another epic waterfall along the way: Rainbow Falls! If there was a category on this list for “most powerful waterfall,” Rainbow Falls would have taken that category, easily.
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The trailhead that leads to Turtle Back Falls is located at Rainbow Falls Bull Head Parking A, Gatlinburg, TN, 37738. Once on the trail, a 3.5-mile roundtrip hike from Gorges State Park will take you past Rainbow Falls and onto Turtle Back Falls.
A word of warning: It is easy to slip and fall at the top of the falls which would cause one to slip down unexpectedly. Please proceed with accusation and never try this natural waterslide alone. I had to have someone help me get out and over to the top the falls and into position to slide down. The water below is cold, powerful, and unforgiving. Only slide down the waterfall if you are a strong swimmer and exit to the right immediately.
Speaking of waterfalls that require strong swimmers, that brings us to our second waterfall, one that rocks a strong current and large crowd.
2. Beautiful But Busy: Looking Glass Falls
Looking glass can be a lot to handle in the summer months between the hot sun, large crowd, and powerful waters. In the summertime I enjoy passing the excited people, wading into the water, and feeling the push and pull of the current while trying to swim out to the fall. During the autumn and winter months the traffic to this location dies down just a little and offers a spectacular view.
Getting to Looking Glass Falls requires a quick walk down paved stairs that are right off the road. Looking Glass Falls is located at Pisgah National Forest, 533-5988 Pisgah Hwy, Brevard, NC 28712.
Now we’ll move into our next category, our “hidden gem” of the crew.
🎧👉 Speaking of hidden gems, check out our podcast episode on local recommendations for things to do in Asheville that you don’t want to miss! Listen in:
3. Secluded And Stunning: Sol’s Creek Falls
I’ve never read about Sol’s creek on the internet, and while doing a search for more information on the falls found almost nothing on the powerful spot. As written about in my other post covering epic waterfalls with no signage, Sol’s creek makes it onto yet another list of great waterfalls.
This massive 120 ft waterfall is only accessible by boat and requires a 0.25 semi-steep and muddy hike to the falls. It took us around 1.5 hours to reach the waterfall by kayak. Once standing in front of this giant, you can feel its incredible strength, force, and cleansing energies. No photo or video could do this natural treasure justice!
To access this location, take Highway 281 to the boat ramp off of Bear Lake Road. It is 15 miles north of where Slick Fisher Road comes into 281. From the boat ramp, head south on the reservoir until you hit the island. Once facing the island, turn left. It took us a 10-minute ride from the island in the kayak to spot the top of the falls peaking out of its perch in the mountains. Enter the cove below to hike to the falls.
Think that Sol’s Creek sounds like a hike? Try making it to our next waterfall on the list!
4. Most Challenging Hike: Paradise Falls
Oh Paradise Falls, the hike that left me black and blue.
Although the actual falls were nice to look at, the thing that places this waterfall on the list is the hike to the falls, rather than the falls themselves. Paradise Falls sits in the forest, surrounded by a little open and rocky pad, often occupied by college kids and Instagram stars. The open pool below makes for a fanatic swimming spot and an ideal place to cool off in the summer.
The trailhead for Paradise Falls is located at Canada Rd, Tuckasegee, NC, 28783. I’ll share the directions to the spot written by TheOutbound: “From the parking lot indicated on the map (within site of a local church) there are two ways to approach the falls. The easier route is to follow the path heading towards the rear of the church, ultimately dropping down to the river. Cross the river and continue following the path to the top of the waterfall. The more challenging path goes straight down from the back of the parking lot into the trees and rhododendron. This trail also comes to the river where you must cross, but in this case you head back up a small rise directly across the stream. Keep following the trail, and from the top of the hill you should see a long descent dropping almost straight down to the pool below Paradise Falls. Be careful here as the hill is quite steep, and after rain can be extremely slippery and treacherous. Make your way carefully down to the bottom where your reward awaits.”
The hike to get there required a lot of leg muscle, ups and downs, and clothes that didn’t mid getting dirty after taking the occasional spill. I knew that the hike would be a bit of a challenge when I passed hikers with dirt covering there faces, looking like they were about to burst with tears, and then coming upon a couple who had decided to turn back before ever reaching the falls. When I had almost finally made it and was approaching the falls at the end of the hike, I slipped off a large and wide rock, 5 ft. down into the water, and narrowly avoided getting my ankle jammed in a hard place. Be careful, aware, and conscious! Do this hike with a pal.
As cliche as it is, as we approach the end of this list, I’ve saved the best for last.
5. Best Overall Experience: Rough Butt Creek Falls
Rough Butt Creek falls, like Sol’s Creek, is another incredible waterfall that isn’t well-known. I found Rough Butt in a waterfall guide and decided to see what it was all about, even though it requires you to pass through “private property” to reach the trailhead.
The trail to get there is a serene experience, totaling to mild 2.6 miles out and back. The hike takes you through a lush forest with grounding energy and a healthy ecosystem. The large rocks, white water, and occasional creeks crossing the path helped me to engage all of my senses during the hike and really soak it all in. Are you ready to experience it for yourself?
Hiking The Appalachians says: “From the main entrance to Western Carolina University (SR 1325) along NC 107 in downtown Cullowhee, follow NC 107 South for 3.8 miles. Then, turn left onto Caney Fork Road (SR 1737). Continue on Caney Fork Road for 9.4 miles to Ruff Butt Road on the right. An unpaved private road, Ruff Butt Road is marked by a wooden sign. Even though this is a private road, the public is welcome to walk it. Please park in the grassy area at the intersection of Caney Fork Road and Ruff Butt Road, as Ruff Butt Road becomes extremely rough farther on.”
Ready For More Asheville Waterfall Adventures?
If you’re local or will be visiting the area for a while I highly recommend the book North Carolina Waterfalls by Kevin Adams. It diligently lists over 1,00 waterfalls in North Carolina complemented by full descriptions, comprehensive directions, and color photographs. This guide has taken us to new waterfalls that are unfindable online and left in pristine condition due to their quiet nature. It’s perfect for finding your new favorite waterfall in Asheville or beyond in Western North Carolina.
