Dry Falls

The basics

Right off US Highway 64, Dry Falls is one of North Carolina’s easiest-to-spot cascades. Simply park in the lot—for a small fee—and witness them from the road, or walk down the well-maintained, railing-lined path to the falls themselves. From there, visitors can choose to stand directly behind the plummeting cascade, if they’re willing to risk getting a bit misted.

This area—an easy day trip from Asheville—is chock-full of gorgeous waterfalls. Make a day of it with a waterfall tour, a great option for most ages and abilities.

Things to know before you go

• An accessible viewpoint lies adjacent to the parking area, ensuring everyone can see the falls.

• Getting behind the falls requires a short, paved walk, and navigating some stairs.

• Portable toilets can be found at the parking area.

How to get there

Dry Falls is about 90 minutes south of Asheville. Most visitors reach the falls in their own vehicles, utilizing the fairly sizable paid lot on-site and walking the short path to the falls. For those who aren’t driving, another option is a guided tour—Dry Falls is often included on waterfall tours in the area.

When to get there

While Dry Falls is gorgeous any time of year, there are two especially spectacular seasons to catch: The first is early spring, when runoff is at its strongest, and the falls are extra powerful; the second is North Carolina’s fall foliage season, peak color usually happens around the second week of October.

To Dry Falls and beyond

Dry Falls is also known as Upper Cullasaja Falls, as it flows on the Cullasaja River. It’s just one of a roughly 9-mile (14-kilometer) series of waterfalls, the river carving through the deep Cullasaja Gorge. Mountain Waters Scenic Byway—a narrow, wild, and curving two-lane highway—runs along the gorge, and for those comfortable with a few white knuckles, it’s a fabulous scenic drive.