Dry Falls 7-27-07

6-1-09 - Dry Falls is still closed due to construction and improvements in parking. I just called the Nantahala Ranger District office and they have no clue when the waterfall will reopen. Their latest guess is mid July. The contract extension was up in mid May, but was apparently extended once again. This is just the 1st phase of renovations and all of the parking for now will still be on the same side of Hwy 64. There will also be an observation deck which will be handicap accessible which is great news. For more info, please call the office at 828-524-6441 and wait for the voice to tell you to dial '0' for the front desk. They probably hate me for posting their phone number...

Less than a mile west of Bridal Veil is Dry Falls. Coming from Highlands, drive just over 3 miles from the intersection of Hwy 106 in Highlands. Look for a brown and white forest service sign and turn left down into the parking area. If you miss the 1st turn into the parking area, you can take the next one. If you are coming from Franklin, Dry Falls is about 5.5 miles past Cullasaja Falls. There used to be a $2 fee to visit this falls, but this has been turned into a donation box. Please try to at least throw at least a dollar in the box. Set a good example for your children. A view of the waterfall isn't wheelchair accessible, but someone with limited mobility could possibly do it. It's worth it.

Dry Falls is on the Cullasaja River and the walk from the parking area is a very short one, so it may be crowded. Get there early for the best photo ops without people. The 1st photo above is the view you see approaching the falls. You can walk behind this 80' falls. The path is maybe about 30 ft below the top of the falls and it seemed like it was a longer way down to the river below than to the top. You may be able to see a rainbow if you and the sun are in the right position. The spray from the falls may get you when you walk underneath, so have somewhere to hide your camera. There's a small cave directly behind the falls, that you can scoot into if you kneel down.

back to Nantahala Forest waterfalls

 info/links/videos/index/wildflowers/email