GORGES STATE PARK WATERFALLS

(Closest to Meraki Escape)

Rainbow Falls: One of the most spectacular waterfall settings in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. This 150-ft. tall waterfall is impressive, especially after rainy weather that swells the Horsepasture River. The best feature of Rainbow Falls is the ability for visitors to experience the falls from the front, bottom, side and top.

Stairway Falls:  Sometimes called Stair Step Falls, this waterfall is often overlooked by the many folks hiking to nearby Rainbow Falls. From that trail, it's just a half mile round-trip detour to see this multi-tier waterfall. The 50-foot cascades drops into a pool with plenty of boulders for enjoying the view.

Turtleback Falls: This famous cascade is just a quarter-mile upstream from Rainbow Falls.

Hidden Falls: A serene family-friendly swimming hole down river from the towering Rainbow Falls.

Upper Bearwallow Falls: Bearwallow Creek drops about 1700 feet in elevation during it's 5 mile meander through Gorges State Park before it empties into the Toxaway River. Upper Bearwallow Falls lies just inside the north side of the park.

PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST WATERFALLS

Looking Glass Falls: One of the most photographed waterfalls in the United States. Parking is provided on the right side of the road. There's an observation deck at the top or steps lead the bottom of the falls.  Guests can get a breathtaking view from the top.  Perfect for those who aren't physically fit or just not wanting to hike down to the bottom.

Moore Cove Falls:  A 50-foot cascade over a ledge. The hike is approximately 1.8 mile round trip.  It's just past Looking Glass Falls heading toward the Blue Ridge Parkway or Sliding Rock.  (Note: all online sites state it's about 1.2 miles round trip but we tracked it and it's closer to 2 miles).  Do plan on spending extra time to just lounge under the waterfall and soak in it's serenity.  Depending on the rain fall, you should stay dry while under it.

Slick Rock Falls:  From the parking lot walk up steps and go 25 yards up trail to this 35-foot-high waterfall. 

Cove Creek Falls: See a sliding rock, rushing waters and the 50-ft. Cove Creek Falls on a two-mile loop hike. 

Daniel Ridge Falls: This waterfall has multiple names: Tom's Spring Branch Falls, Daniel Ridge Falls and Jackson Falls. It’s an easy half-mile hike on the Daniel Ridge Trail to reach the base of this 150-ft. waterfall. You can either hike quick one-mile direct round-trip or the entire four-mile loop that includes the top of the waterfall. 

Discovery Falls: Discovery Falls is a 75 foot waterfall along a jagged rock face . 1 mile hike. 

Log Hollow & Upper Log Hollow Falls: Log Hollow Falls is a 25-ft. waterfall. While it's an easy one-mile round-trip hike to reach, it's still a hidden jewel that many waterfall-lovers miss. Plus, there's a second unnamed 80-ft. waterfall about a quarter-mile past Log Hollow (sometimes called Kissing Falls). 

Logging Road Falls: 70ft waterfall off of Forest Road 475-B. Its a bumpy road, typically passable by the average vehicle because it can be washed out and rutted at times. If you can find it though, and you want to see a handful of waterfalls without too much effort, then F.R. 475-B is the road for you. 

Whaleback Falls: A refreshing cascade flows into the 40-foot long pool, surrounded by boulders. It is a hidden, peaceful swimming hole deep in Pisgah National Forest. It's a short walk from the road. 

Courthouse Falls: This waterfall plunges about 45 ft. from a narrow chute into a deep pool, perfect for a dip on a hot summer's day. It's an easy hike (about 7/10-mile round-trip) from the forest service road.

DUPONT FOREST WATERFALLS

Hooker Falls: One of the most well-known and accessible waterfalls in DuPont. The falls is at the site of a former grist mill, where Little River drops off a 13-foot ledge into Cascade Lake.

Triple Falls and High Falls: Triple Falls offers a unique opportunity to stand in the middle of a waterfall! To see this 120-ft. tall waterfall, hike one-mile round-trip from the Hooker Falls parking area or 2.2 miles round-trip from the High Falls parking area - passing High Falls along the way. High Falls is a gorgeous 150-ft. tall waterfall. Hike or bike a 1.2-mile round-trip, moderate trail from the High Falls Visitor Center parking area.

Grassy Creek Falls: Grassy Creek Falls can be accessed from the Hooker Falls, High Falls, or Lake Imaging parking areas. Lake Imaging way has a lot of horse and mountain bike traffic from that parking area.

Bridal Veil Falls: A 60-ft. waterfall that you can walk behind. It's located right along US Highway 64 (Mountain Waters Scenic Byway & NC Waterfall Byway), 2.5 miles west of Highlands in the Cullasaja River Gorge. There's roadside parking and it is very accessible to all (including wheelchairs, scooters and strollers). 

Upper Falls and Second Falls at Graveyard Fields: Milepost 418.8. Graveyard Fields is a very popular hiking trail. The Yellowstone Prong is the water source for two waterfalls in a mile-high valley filled with wildflowers and surrounded by the 6,000-ft. peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It's one of the few hiking places along the Parkway with restrooms! Take a short hike to a beautiful waterfall or a much-longer 3.5-mile loop through the meadow to a second waterfall.

Skinny Dip Falls: A refreshing swimming hole and soaking spot on a hot summer day with clear, cold water. And it's a beautiful waterfall setting to enjoy any time of the year without getting wet with multiple cascades and pools. Located at Milepost 417 at Looking Glass Rock overlook, it's easy to find at the end of a 3/4 of a mile hiking trail from the Parkway overlook.

HIGHWAY 215 WATERFALLS

Lemon Falls: A two-drop, fifteen foot high waterfall located on Lemance Creek less than a mile from NC-215. The setting is below the road so despite the proximity, the falls feels more isolated.

Diamond Creek Falls: A roadside waterfall in Balsam Grove located about a mile and a half off of NC215 North of US 64. The waterfall looks very nice from the side of the road but there is no way to get down to the base that doesn’t involve trespassing.

French Broad Falls, Mill Shoals Falls and Cathedral Falls: Accessed via a riverside hiking trail at the religious retreat named Living Waters. See gorgeous twin waterfalls both about 15 ft. high. Sit & soak in this beautiful setting on boulders by an old mill that is now part of the retreat. From the twin waterfalls, turn around and follow the riverside trail downstream to see more cascades and Cathedral Falls. There are several side trails to the right for picnic spots and up-close views of the rushing water. 

Bird Rock Falls: The route to this waterfall is on private property, but the trail is open to the public. Generally considered easy 0.50 mile, out and back trail taking an average of 15 min to complete leads to Bird Rock Falls. 

LAKE TOXAWAY WATERFALLS

Toxaway Falls: Toxaway Falls spills and slides over some very colorful bedrock in a 240' change in elevation before the Toxaway River disappears into the forest. Many travelers drive across the top of the 150-foot Toxaway Falls and don't even realize it is there! 

CASHIERS WATERFALLS

Whitewater Falls: A 400+ foot gorgeous, multi-drop cascading waterfall, and well worth the half-mile round trip hike to view it. The hike trails a short, paved stretch of the Foothills Trail through a wildflower-filled forest, and catches some stunning views of Lake Jocassee nestled in the rolling surrounding mountains.

Cashier’s “Sliding Rock”: You may have heard about the famous “Sliding Rock” in Brevard, but did you know that’s not the only natural waterslide to explore near Meraki Escape? Cashier’s Sliding Rock is another natural swimming hole created by the Chattooga River gliding over a 10-foot high rock face. Play in the pool at the bottom of the sliding rock or take the short trail to the top for a short, but exciting slide into the pool below. It's a popular place so be prepared to see some other folks there in the summer months.

Silver Run Falls: This 25-ft. waterfall cascades into a tranquil pool with a small beach area making it a popular swimming spot.

Schoolhouse Falls: The most popular of the many waterfalls in Panthertown Valley, this cascade freefalls into a refreshing pool that is safe for swimming and wading. The most direct route is 2.5 miles roundtrip.

Carlton Falls: Fed by Greenland Creek and adorned by Rhododendron, hemlock, and mountain laurel, this falls features multiple sections of sliding cascades, totaling 45 feet in height.

Greenland Creek Falls: Also in Panthertown Valley is this 45 feet high, the two-part cascade that tumbles from Greenland Creek into a wide pool of moss- and lichen-blanketed boulders and often clear water.

Connestee Falls

Connestee Falls are are easy to get to and wheelchair accessible.  From the viewing area you are actually at the top of Connestee Falls and are looking over at Batson Creek Falls. 

Meraki Escape's Waterfalls

Meraki Escape has three main waterfalls on our property and many cascades along our creeks. 

Forestsong Waterfall

The serene setting by this waterfall is an ideal place for guests to practice their yoga or meditation and enjoy the views of the cascading water.

Mossy Oak Waterfall and Courtyard

This waterfall is nestled within a clearing in the forest and features multiple sections of cascades. There is an easy walking path past the waterfall that leads to the Courtyard where the 2 creeks meet. This is a beautiful setting and is a beautiful spot for a picnic or to take a break and enjoy nature any time of the year. This is our favorite spot!

Triple Creek waterfall

Both this waterfall and the old fishing pond that sits in front of it got destroyed in a storm. They are not accessible to guests at this time but can be viewed from Meraki Lane. Both are under re-development.