Picture this: you’re twisting through narrow, windy roads, and out both sides of your window are an abundance of roadside waterfalls.
This could be you if you drive the North Carolina Waterfall Byway and use my jam-packed 3-day itinerary!
As an East Tennessee local who’s driven this scenic road many times, I’ve discovered all kinds of amazing waterfalls in this area, including roadside and hike-to, that I can’t wait to share with you!
With my 3-day North Carolina Waterfall Byway itinerary, you’ll drive the 95-mile scenic road from Murphy to Rosman, explore roadside waterfalls, hike to waterfalls, and discover amazing detours.
3 Day North Carolina Waterfall Byway Itinerary
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Getting to the North Carolina Waterfall Byway
The North Carolina Waterfall Byway is the 95-mile section of Highway 64 between Murphy and Rosman, North Carolina.
This area of western North Carolina is known as “the land of waterfalls” because of the extraordinary number of waterfalls along and just off the route.
While the highest concentration of roadside waterfalls is found between Franklin and Sapphire, this itinerary covers nearly 100 miles from Murphy to Rosman because the entire drive is stunning and absolutely worth experiencing.
If you’re not local to North Carolina or don’t live within driving distance, the easiest way to reach the North Carolina Waterfall Byway is to fly into McGhee Tyson Airport.
From the airport, rent a car and drive about two hours to the west end of the Byway in Murphy, NC.
Where to Stay When Visiting the North Carolina Waterfall Byway
If possible, plan on staying four nights so you can spend three full days exploring the North Carolina Waterfall Byway.
For this particular itinerary, I’d highly recommend staying in Highlands, North Carolina. The best places to stay in Highlands are:
- Van Hook Glade Campground – quiet forested campground located directly on the Waterfall Byway, between Ranger Falls and Dry Falls (this is where we stayed – pics above!)
- Highland Peak Retreat – adorable cabins less than 2 miles from Cullasaja Falls
- Skyline Lodge – charming mountain retreat less than 15 minutes from Dry Falls
- Highlander Mountain House – mountain retreat just 5 minutes from Bridal Veil Falls
When to Visit the North Carolina Waterfall Byway
This area of western North Carolina is beautiful year-round, but to make the most of this itinerary and see the waterfalls in their full glory, visit between April and June.
You can visit in July, August, and September as well, but note that the waterfalls may not be flowing as heavily during these drier months!
3 Day North Carolina Waterfall Byway Itinerary Overview
Day 1: Drive the Byway from Murphy to Highlands + Explore Roadside Waterfalls
Day 2: Hike to Silver Run Falls + Upper Whitewater Falls + Explore Gorges State Park + Visit Toxaway Falls
Day 3: Hike to High (Culhowee) Falls + Ranger Falls
Day 1: Roadside Waterfalls Galore!
Hop on Highway 64 in Murphy and start driving east. Your scenic drive has officially begun!
You’ll have to wait almost 60 miles for the famous back-to-back roadside waterfalls section to begin, but the mountain views along this first stretch are jaw-dropping and 100% worth the drive.
Along the route from Murphy to the first roadside waterfall, Cullasaja Falls, there are two noteworthy stops: Shooting Creek Scenic Overlook and Poplar Cove Overlook.
Shooting Creek Scenic Overlook is on the left side of the highway, slightly hidden. Use your GPS to navigate so you don’t miss the turn. Once you turn onto the side road, you’ll see a small shoulder and a cul-de-sac where you can park.
The views of the surrounding mountains from here are great! And if you want to stretch your legs for a minute, follow the path between the guardrails down to the picnic tables.
Next is Poplar Cove Overlook, just under 9 miles from Shooting Creek. This overlook is more obvious and easier to get to; it’s on the right side of the road. The view here is even better than Shooting Creek, in my opinion!
After passing through Franklin, about 12 miles down the road, the drive shifts as you begin following the Cullasaja River. The wide, open roads with sweeping mountain views give way to narrow, winding curves, with forest, rushing water, and rugged rock walls right outside your window.
And this is where all the famous roadside waterfalls start popping up!
First is Cullasaja Falls. This 200-foot roadside waterfall is on the right side of the road and only has parking for a few vehicles.
Admire this one from the road. While some have hopped the guardrails and scrambled down to the falls, this is not safe, and I don’t recommend it. Many rescues happen here each year.
2 miles down the road, you’ll approach the next roadside waterfall, also on the right side: Quarry Falls, AKA Bust Your Butt Falls.
This 15-foot waterfall is nicknamed Bust Your Butt Falls because of the natural “water slide” it creates. Many have attempted to slide down the falls and scraped up their behinds in the process!
Since Quarry Falls isn’t far from the road and doesn’t involve a scary descent like Cullasaja does, it’s decently safe to swim here. But if you decide to slide down the falls, don’t say I didn’t warn you about your butt! Haha.
The next, and arguably most impressive, waterfall on this road, Dry Falls, is just 3 miles down the road.
Unlike many of the other roadside waterfalls, the Dry Falls parking lot is large. It can accommodate roughly 25 vehicles and even has pit toilets and picnic tables.
To park at Dry Falls, you’ll need to pay for a $3 day-use pass. If you have an America the Beautiful Pass, you don’t have to pay the fee; just stick your park pass on your vehicle’s dashboard.
You have two options for viewing Dry Falls: from the accessible overlook or from the base via a trail of stairs.
The path to the overlook is short, accessible, and flat. You get a good view of the 75-foot waterfall from afar. This is a great sunset spot, FYI!
The path down to the falls is semi-steep but short. It involves descending stairs for nearly a quarter-mile until you reach the base of the waterfall.
Dry Falls is incredibly unique because you can walk behind it! So if you have the ability, I’d highly recommend climbing down the stairs and walking behind the falls. It’s such a neat experience!
Once you’ve finished exploring Dry Falls, hop back in your car and head east for another mile.
The next waypoint is another no-hike roadside waterfall, Bridal Veil Falls. Parking for this 120-foot waterfall is a pull-off on the left side of the road that can accommodate a handful of vehicles.
What makes Bridal Veil Falls so interesting is that it falls over an old road that cars used to be able to drive behind. While you can’t drive behind it today, you can walk behind the waterfall!
Okay, I have one more roadside waterfall for you before lunch! Just a half-mile up the road from Bridal Veil Falls is Sequoyah Falls. While this one is manmade (it’s formed from a dam), it’s still impressive.
Park at the wide pull-off on the right side of the road (there’s room for a handful of cars), get out, and scramble down the short gravel path to get a closer view of the 20-foot waterfall.
Alright, it’s time for lunch! Keep driving east on Highway 64 for just another couple of miles, and you’ll find all kinds of yummy lunch options in the adorable town of Highlands.
The most convenient place to eat is on Main Street. A big chunk of parking spots sits in the middle of a block of restaurants, ice cream, and shops. Grab soups and salads from Black Bear for a nice, light option!
Once your belly is full (and has had a bit of time to digest), it’s time for an iconic Highlands waterfall hike: Glen Falls!
While this hike isn’t directly on the Waterfall Byway, it’s only a few miles off of it, so it’s absolutely worth the detour.
To get to Glen Falls, turn off Main Street onto Dillard Road. In less than 2 miles, turn left onto Glen Falls Road. This is a fairly level gravel road that’s easy to drive on. Park in the large gravel lot (can fit around 20+ vehicles) at the end of the road.
To get to Glen Falls, veer left just past the trailhead sign. The path on the right leads to Chinquapin Mountain.
The entire hike is 2.8 miles roundtrip, but you only have to hike about 1 mile one way to see the tiers of Glen Falls.
And while there are many overlooks along the hike, which keep the trail interesting the entire way, my favorites are the second and third viewpoints. From these two platforms, you get up-close-and-personal views of the most impressive tiers of the 215-foot Glen Falls!
The left photo below is the second viewpoint, and the right photo below is the third viewpoint!
Once you’re done hiking Glen Falls, head back into Highlands. Grab a beer at Western Carolina Brew & Wine or an ice cream at Kilwins to relax after a big day of waterfall chasing.
You can also use this time to check into your accommodations and grab a pizza from Highlands Pizza Place!
Day 2: Silver Run, Gorges State Park, Upper Whitewater & Toxaway Falls
Are you all rested up? Hope so because we’ve got many more epic waterfalls for you today!
While only one of these waterfalls is technically on the Waterfall Byway, the rest are just a short detour and totally worth stopping while you’re in the area.
First up, Silver Run Falls! Depending on your exact accommodations (Van Hook Glade Campground or a stay in Highlands), you’ll drive east on Highway 64 for roughly 10 to 12 miles before turning right onto Highway 107.
Just four miles down the road on the left is the small pull-off parking area for Silver Run Falls. Similar to the other roadside falls in the area, this shoulder can only safely park a few vehicles.
The hike to Silver Run Falls is short and sweet! Just a tenth of a mile one way, the trail briefly twists through the forest and over a bridge before ending at a large rock in front of 25-foot Silver Run Falls.
The large pool at the base of the falls makes for a perfect swimming hole!
Next, hop back in your car and continue south on Highway 107. Get ready to hike to the tallest waterfall east of the Rockies!
As you make your way from Silver Run Falls to Upper Whitewater Falls, you’ll briefly dip into South Carolina before driving back up into North Carolina.
The parking for Upper Whitewater Falls is just north of the North Carolina/South Carolina border, on the right side of the road.
The GPS (at least Google Maps, anyway) doesn’t lead to the right location, so keep your eyes peeled for the sign for Whitewater Falls. Turn right when you see the sign.
The parking lot for Upper Whitewater Falls is massive and can accommodate dozens of cars and even some RVs. There are restrooms and a picnic area, along with trail access to Whitewater Falls and the Foothills Trail.
To park here, you’ll need to pay a $3 day-use fee. Once again, if you have the America the Beautiful Pass, you don’t have to pay. Just place your pass on your vehicle’s dashboard.
To access Upper Whitewater Falls, follow the sidewalk at the far end of the parking lot. The path to the falls is semi-steep but very short (about a quarter-mile).
There are two viewpoints of the upper falls. The first one that you’ll approach has a good (albeit faraway) view of the top tiers of Upper Whitewater Falls.
The second viewpoint is better, in my opinion, but involves descending many stairs. Go down the dozens of wooden stairs to get to the platform. From this platform, you’ll be able to see more of the waterfall, parts that aren’t visible from the other viewpoint.
Note that this is just Upper Whitewater Falls. It’s 411 feet tall. Lower Whitewater Falls, another 400-foot waterfall, is in South Carolina, several miles downstream via the Foothills Trail.
Next, it’s time to head north on 281, back toward the NC Waterfall Byway. Just before the Highway 64 junction is the entrance to Gorges State Park, which is the venue of your next hike! You’re going to be hiking the Rainbow Falls Trail!
To see four waterfalls in one fun four-mile hike, park at the Rainbow Falls trailhead in Gorges State Park. Parking is free, and the lot is a decent size.
About 1 mile into the hike, you’ll come to a junction. Take the short quarter-mile spur (on the left) to see 50-foot Stairway Falls before continuing down the main trail.
In about a half-mile, you’ll come to 150-foot Rainbow Falls, a true gem! If you’re lucky, you might get to see a rainbow coming off Rainbow Falls, as we did!
We didn’t continue past Rainbow Falls since our dogs were getting tired. But if you keep going another half-mile past Rainbow Falls, you’ll get to see two more waterfalls: Turtleback Falls and Drift Falls!
Turtleback Falls is a 20-foot waterfall, and Drift Falls (also dubbed Bust Yer Butt Falls haha) is an 80-foot waterfall that doubles as a natural water slide.
NOTE: I’d recommend packing a picnic lunch to enjoy at one of the falls!
Once you’re done hiking, head back to Highway 64. Instead of turning left to return to Highlands, turn right.
In just a couple of miles, you’ll literally drive over the next waterfall: Toxaway Falls. Yep, most people will just drive over it and completely miss it! This waterfall is under the highway.
While I wouldn’t drive too far out of the way to see this waterfall – the waterfall is kind of hard to see – since it’s only a couple of miles off the route today, I’d stop by.
And if you want to finish the remainder of the Waterfall Byway, you’ll be driving right past Toxaway Falls anyway.
The waterfall is on the right side of the highway, but parking is on the left, which makes this sort of a dicey situation.
Since the small shoulder parking area is on the opposite side of the waterfall, you’ll have to walk across Highway 64 to see Toxaway Falls.
Not only is this area busy with traffic, but there’s a sharp curve just after the shoulder that makes crossing the road a bit dangerous.
Once you reach the opposite side of the road, you’ll see the top of Toxaway Falls. While you can’t see the waterfall spilling over the edge, there is a nice view of Gorges State Park in the distance.
Want to continue east past Toxaway Falls to officially complete the 95-mile Waterfall Byway? If so, I’d drive it right now – the “finish line” is only about 8 miles east!
NOTE: Highway 64 continues past Rosman. In fact, it leads all the way to the Outer Banks on the Atlantic Coast. While Rosman is the turnaround point for this particular itinerary, I would recommend exploring Brevard, which is 10 miles east of Rosman and has many more waterfalls, on your next visit to North Carolina!
When you’re ready, it’s time to drive west to get back to Highlands. Here you can grab dinner from Highlands Burrito and head back to your accommodations.
Rest up because I have two fun waterfall hikes for your last day!
Day 3: High (Culhowee) Falls & Ranger Falls
Alright, who’s ready for the last full day of the road trip? I’ve got two amazing waterfall hikes for you – one that’s on the Byway and one just off.
First, head to High Falls. Now, there are multiple High Falls in North Carolina, so it can be a bit confusing to figure out which is which.
The one I’m referring to is also known as Culhowee Falls, and it’s near Lake Glenville.
To get to the trailhead, head east on Highway 64 and turn left onto Highway 107 in Cashiers. Turn left onto Pine Creek Road. Lake Glenville will be on your left as you approach the trailhead.
Parking for the High Falls Trail is on the right side of the road in a large gravel lot. Dozens of vehicles can fit in this lot.
The hike to High Falls is about 1.4 miles roundtrip. The path begins on a gravel forest road before veering right onto the main trail. The trail has many stairs and can get a bit steep in parts. The final portion is narrow and rocky before ending at the base of 150-foot High Falls.
Once you’re done hiking, head across the street to Pine Creek Recreation Area. Here, you’ll find picnic tables, pit toilets, and beach access. Unwind for a bit after your hike and enjoy a picnic lunch before heading to your final hike, Ranger Falls.
Ranger Falls is back toward Highlands, off the Waterfall Byway, near Van Hook Glade Campground.
The looped hike to the 30-foot waterfall is 2.4 miles. Start at Cliffside Lake Recreation Area. The path immediately ascends before looping around to the waterfall about 1.1 miles from the parking lot.
From here, you can either continue the loop to get back to your car or just turn around after the falls. You’ll be hiking roughly the same miles either – just over 2 miles.
Sadly, your waterfalls road trip is coming to an end. But if you’re not ready for your adventure to end, continue east to Brevard, where you’ll find dozens more waterfalls!
Discover Your Next Adventure
Where to next? I’ve got some suggestions!
- Cherohala Skyway
- East Tennessee Waterfalls Road Trip
- Great Smoky Mountains
- Mingo Falls
- Blue Ridge Parkway
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