Big Falls - Thompson River

The Thompson River has a personality all it's own and it's wild character should not be taken lightly. Most of the exploration here is for experienced adventure seekers rather than casual waterfall hikers. If you get hurt in some of these remote areas, you'll probably be spending the night before search and rescue can reach you. Know your limitations! In my opinion, the Thompson is home to the Queen of all the waterfalls in the Jocassee Gorge area - Big Falls (Thompson Falls). Not many people get a chance to see this magnificent site. Are you one of the ones that have looked for it but couldn't find it?? Don't feel bad, it took us 2 tries back before very many people visited this area. I've had people email me saying they've searched more than once and hadn't found it yet. Below Big Falls, the Thompson River continues it's journey through the Pisgah National Forest, passing the Foothills Trail before entering into South Carolina. Once in South Carolina, the river continues spilling over numerous unnamed waterfalls and cascades before emptying into Lake Jocassee.

This section of the site also includes other waterfalls in the immediate area on nearby creeks and tributaries of the Thompson River. You'll have to drive around a bit to get to the parking for a few these falls, but here are the directions to the parking for the most of the ones on the Thompson River. From the intersection of US64 and NC281south in the Lake Toxaway area, turn south on 281 and drive 3.6 miles (passing the entrance to Gorges State Park on the left) to Brewer Rd (SR1189) on the left. Take the left but don't drive down Brewer Rd. Instead, park in the wide paved area next to the bank at the top of the road next to 281. You'll see an old gated logging road heading up the hill - this is the way to the first group of waterfalls below on the Thompson River.

High Falls and Reid Branch Falls
Simon Falls - aka waterfall #1 on the lower Thompson River
Rich Falls - aka waterfall #2 on the lower Thompson River
Hidden Dome Falls - on a tributary of Thompson River
Standing Stone Falls - aka waterfall #3 on the lower Thompson River
Big Falls

Here are the other waterfalls in this immediate area. Please click on each for more detailed directions and information.

White Owl Falls
DEW Falls
John's Jump
Slippery Witch Falls
Tumblin' Fun Falls
Twin Falls, Joe Pack Falls and Bestos Falls - Twin Falls is no longer accessible to the public - sorry :(