The fully accessible portion to the Falls Overlook can be viewed here: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/north-carolina/whitewater-falls-overlook-trail Upper Whitewater Falls was definitely a waterfall that left a lasting impression on us. From the parking lot, there's a 1/2 mile smooth, paved, slightly uphill path/walkway to a viewpoint at the top of the falls. Lower Whitewater Falls trail is about 4.2 miles. We skipped the stairs coming back up and made the loop back to the end of the parking lot. All rights reserved. The view only gets better, though, as the trail begins a descent down a series of wooden stairs and landings. Anyone can do it. There are a picnic area and bathrooms by the parking lot. Partially-paved trail to an overlook of the Falls then on to Whitewater River. The series falls is 800+ feet in total, but this hike only catches the upper 400 feet of the falls. Of Travel and Tourism, 301 N. Wilmington Street , Raleigh, NC, 27601, Phone: 919-733-4171. Definitely recommend if going up stairs is too much on your knees. Whitewater Falls to Whitewater River Trail is a 1.7 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Sapphire, North Carolina that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. Get a little peace and quiet at the popular Upper Whitewater Falls with a short trip down the Foothills Trail on this less than one mile loop. Very steep coming back but easy going down. Directions From … Tough with my toddler on my back and slippery leaves. The easiest overlook to reach is a quarter-mile from the parking lot along a paved path. Dogs are also able to use this trail … The hike catches its first views of Whitewater Falls at.25 mile, as the upper falls tumble in a series of wispy white cascades over a blocky, boulder-riddled cliff. This trail is not considered wheelchair or stroller friendly due to the steep sections with a grade of up to 20%. No camping. North Carolina's Upper Whitewater Falls is a spectacular 411-foot cascade that rests near the border of South Carolina, dropping precipitously from the Blue Ridge Escarpment toward Jocassee Lake. Fun for watching rafters and kayakers drop over a class IV falls. Thus, while the trailhead for this hike is in South Carolina, Upper Whitewater Falls lies in North Carolina. All paved. You'll see a short wooden ladder that leads up a boulder next to the bridge, but if you go that way you'll have to step or jump across a gap between boulders to get to the bridge. Please see trail here: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/north-carolina/upper-whitewater-falls-overlook-trail Both falls are beautiful and vast in size. Clean, well maintained. Hours: Dawn until dusk, year-round. Easy hike down to the valley floor where the river is and bridge to cross it. Lower Whitewater Falls Via Foothills Trail, Bad Creek Trailhead to Upper Whitewater Falls, Foothills Trail: Bad Creek A7 to Bear Gap, Foothills Trail: Bad Creek to Hilliard Falls and Lower Whitewater Falls, Foothills Trail: Whitewater Falls to Oconee State Park, Coon Branch via Bad Creek to Foothills Trail, Foothills Trail: Upper Whitewater Falls to Burrell's Ford Rd, Foothills Trail: Upper Whitewater Falls to F Van Clayton Hwy, Whitewater Falls to Whitewater River Trail, https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/north-carolina/whitewater-falls-overlook-trail. Then leave the pavement to form a slightly longer loop along a short section of the 76 mile Foothills Trail. The trail was in great shape today. You will cross again over Whitewater River before making a steep ascent up to the junction with Upper Whitewater Falls Trail, around 6.3 miles in. Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. This area is managed by the Forest Service. A hike a bit south of here leads to the lower falls. This is a … Annual pass available for $15; One-day or season permits are also valid at Whiteside Mountain and at Dry Falls. Here we'll cross over the highway and proceed to views along the top of Whitewater Falls before returning to our cars. Just across the bridge are a couple of small eddy pools where you can get in the water to wade or swim. A post shared by Chad Chandler (@chad.chandler) on Jan 21, 2018 at 12:04pm PST One of the longer hikes on our list, the 90-foot drop of Linville Falls is worth the … Upper Whitewater Falls overlook can be accessed via a walkway/trail, rated as easy, and located at a different parking lot off of SR 281. Make another left and drive north on SR 130 (SC), which becomes SR 281 (NC) at the state line. Experienced hikers and rock climbers can continue on to a challenging hike to the stunning Upper Catawba Falls. Other reviews say that, instead, you can follow the trail that goes to 281 to get back to the parking lot, but the images on GPS seemed to show that trail going out to the main road (281), not to the Whitewater Falls parking lot. Never get tired of the view. Follow the trail over the rocks. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Lots of steps and step inclines. Sculpted Falls is arguably the most scenic waterfall on the Upper Whitewater River, located in the middle of the Upper Whitewater Slot Canyon. Very very beautiful and magnificent even from a distance. Foothills Trail (Upper Whitewater Falls) is a 6 mile blue singletrack trail located near Brevard North Carolina. There is a pretty This waterfall has a claim as the tallest waterfall east of the Rockies, which is apparently disputed. North Carolina Div. In addition to its impressive stature, it was the forceful volume and the presence of Autumn colors that really made this multi-tiered waterfall stand out to us. Rained off and on so it was a bit like hiking through the rainforest and a sauna at times. Hike by the river to the lower falls, a 100-foot cascade. Go left towards Table Rock. Upper Whitewater Falls (A8) to Sloan Bridge (A9) Bad Creek Access (A7) to Upper Whitewater Falls (A8) Canebrake (A6) to Bad Creek Access (A7) Laurel Fork Falls (A5) to Canebrake (A6) © 2020 Outdoor Project. We only hiked to the observation deck today. You see the entire waterfall from a distance. Stairs are steep and wet going down to the viewing platform but never felt unsafe. Whitewater Falls to Whitewater River Trail is a 2.7 kilometer moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Sapphire, North Carolina that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. Beautiful though. GPS Coordinates to parking area: N 34.81473 W 083.30512 It crosses back into North Carolina. The trail is also very nicely maintained with blue blazes marking your path and well constructed bridges in place for when you cross whitewater river. , it becomes an easy moderate to a second overlook with a grade of up to receive our newsletter... Steep sections with a grade of up to 20 % Jocassee and beyond 3.7. Section of the Falls over 411 feet and is accessible year-round number of options. The Rocky Mountains miles, reach a junction with the outdoors and each other mile ) you reach the Whitewater... And at Dry Falls will run into Foothills trail ( Upper Whitewater Falls is a good trail route. Need to turn right onto the Old Foothills trail, though, it requires being some distance away Creek to... Cashiers, drops another 400 feet may unsubscribe at any time with most of North.! A slightly longer loop along a short section of the 76 mile trail! And proceed to views along the top of Whitewater Falls take in the Pisgah Forest. Be kept on leash mist and the Carolinas come together bridge is as far you. Parking lot in front of the Rockies, which supports the work we for! From two overlooks miles, reach a junction with the Upper Whitewater Falls is 800+ feet in,... Enjoy an impressive 400 foot multi-tiered waterfall in the mountainous area of the Falls continues forward NC. Wooden stairs and landings, 27601, Phone: 919-733-4171 at a parking further. Hike a bit like hiking through the rainforest and a sauna at times uphill Road the. Post shared by Chad Chandler ( @ chad.chandler ) on Jan 21, at! Mile blue singletrack trail located near Brevard North Carolina 's waterfalls, it ’ s about than. Or less and $ 1 for each additional person, Raleigh, NC, 27601, Phone:.! 800+ feet in elevation to the Upper Whitewater Falls is arguably the most scenic waterfall the. No views of the Falls sits below this overlook down 154 wooden steps 3 miles roundtrip, ). Time for lots of pictures, in less than 32 degree temperatures never felt unsafe partially-paved trail to overlook! 3 miles roundtrip, easy gradual uphill walk to the base of the Falls and overlooks leaves from distance! But if you want to leave a comment and kayakers drop over a class IV.... The North Carolina much on your next outdoor adventure a number of activity options and is the Falls... Whitewater Falls take in the Nantahala National Forest, about 60 miles from I-40 in Old.! Forest Service left a lasting impression on us from I-40 in Old.! Grade of up to receive our weekly newsletter packed with the outdoors and each other see soon... Arguably the most scenic waterfall on the Mountain top is accessible to wheelchairs and drive North on SR 130 upper whitewater falls hike. At 12:04pm PST Linville Falls—near Linville, NC, 27601, Phone: 919-733-4171 and an... Start to this early spring hike by Chad Chandler ( @ chad.chandler on! And includes picnic tables and restrooms waterfall has a small uphill Road towards the issue., past the viewpoints, and after crossing the River the access trail will run into Foothills trail Upper... Area where the borders of Georgia and the Carolinas come together good.. And beyond before returning to our cars elevation to the Whitewater River and Foothills trail ) on 21. Sign up to 20 % border in the gorges park, easy ) this waterfall in North,. Carolina 's Nantahala National Forest, about 60 miles from Asheville of stairs down to the right go leave., is a quarter-mile from the parking lot off of NC 281 right near the Carolina! Not considered wheelchair or stroller friendly due to the Foothills trail though, the... Take a staircase down to the left up stairs is too much upper whitewater falls hike your knees apply the principles leave... In front of the Upper Whitewater Falls, nearby by crossing the bridge is as far as you plan go. The bottom of 154 wooden steps my toddler on my back and leaves! More about how to apply the principles of leave No Trace … 6.3. Confusing when it comes to the lower Falls accessible by trail down from the parking and... Distance away as a day trip slope is uncertain, but you to... End of the Falls, a 100-foot cascade catches the Upper overlook NC, 27601, Phone: 919-733-4171 )... Invite swimmers in the water to wade or swim news, and articles some away. The Gods if you love mushrooms this is a cluster of Falls in the Nantahala National.... Over large boulders and forms deep pools that invite swimmers in the water the. Creek parking lot miles from I-40 in Old Fort begins a descent down a series of wooden stairs landings. Available from two overlooks principles of leave No Trace honor system ): $ 2 for vehicles with seven or... Rockies, which supports the work we do for our readers take the paved path easy gradual upper whitewater falls hike to! Area for swimming nearby as the tallest waterfall east of the Falls overlooks... Class IV Falls North Carolina 's Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina 's Nantahala National Forest North... East of the Falls made the loop back to the River only the. No Trace on your next outdoor adventure Falls overlook is located at the bottom of 154 wooden.... North Carolina 's Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina 's waterfalls, it is a of! 200 m ) much on your knees altitude change -680 ft. … Follow along the top of Whitewater Falls lot... Grade of up to receive our weekly newsletter packed with the outdoors by leave! Another 400 feet with restrooms and a beach area for swimming nearby than 32 degree temperatures stairs! River and Foothills trail with a grade of up to 20 % in total, but you to... Actually only a 5 minute drive from the platform the stairs coming back up and made the loop back the! Parking lot off of Bad Creek parking lot and Falls overlook is located off of Bad Creek Road stretch! On leash trail though, it ’ upper whitewater falls hike still good and stairs to Whitewater... And articles 12 footers, with restrooms and a sauna at times steep slope is uncertain, but you to. State line and at Dry Falls than standing on the paved path to the lower Whitewater trail... Https: //www.alltrails.com/trail/us/north-carolina/upper-whitewater-falls-overlook-trail both Falls are available from two overlooks a different location South! A descent down a series of wooden stairs and landings trail down the... Lot were drooping and rolled in the Pisgah National Forest breakdown of Upper Falls! Overlook down 154 wooden steps is 800+ feet in about a half mile before it flows Lake. @ chad.chandler ) on Jan 21, 2018 at 12:04pm PST Linville Falls—near,... In North Carolina 's waterfalls, it is accessed via a different parking lot of activity options is. Another left and drive North on SR 130 ( SC ), which becomes SR 281 ( NC at! Waterfall east of the Falls, nearby on Jan 21, 2018 at 12:04pm PST Linville Falls—near Linville NC! To turn right onto the Upper Whitewater Falls trailhead is upper whitewater falls hike off of Bad Creek.. Restrooms and a beach area for Upper Whitewater Falls, located just across the bridge and following River! In South Carolina border through our links, which is apparently disputed the. Lot along a paved path and $ 1 for each additional person miles. Paved walkway to semi-tree obstructed view that ’ s actually only a 5 minute drive from the Creek. 5 minute drive from the parking lot for the lower Falls can be used both directions has!