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Area Status: Open
Whitewater Falls owes its existence to the Blue Ridge Escarpment, a sharp drop in elevation between the mountains and the Piedmont.
With a 411-foot plunge, Upper Whitewater Falls in North Carolina is the highest waterfall east of the Rockies. South Carolina’s Lower Whitewater Falls falls another 400 feet.
Because of the escarpment’s difficult access and rugged terrain, much of the area receives few visitors and has remained wild and undeveloped over the years.
In the cool, moist shade of the steep slopes and rock cliffs, wildflowers and salamanders about. This wild land is also a perfect haven for a rich array of ferns, mosses and fungi. Enjoy the beauty of blooms and berries throughout the seasons.
Check out the brochure.
At a Glance
| Operational Hours: |
Dawn to Dusk |
| Fees |
$3/vehicle; $15 annual pass (usable at Dry Falls, Whiteside Mountain, and Whitewater Falls) |
| Permit Info: |
Self service fee stations. |
| Open Season: |
year round |
| Usage: |
Heavy |
| Closest Towns: |
Highlands and Cashiers |
| Water: |
Drinking Water |
| Operated By: |
Nantahala National Forest, Nantahala Ranger District, 90 Sloan Road, Franklin, NC 28734, (828)-524-6441 |
General Information
Directions: From Cashiers, take NC 107S for 10 miles to NC-SC line. Drive 1 miles, take first road to left. Follow signs.
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