Cool Off In NC's Land Of Waterfalls
Thundering cascades coursing down the sides of North Carolina’s mountains set hearts to pounding. Surrounded by the gentle grace of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Transylvania County, the “Land of Waterfalls” has the perfect place to cool off with over 260 waterfalls.
One of the most amazing waterfalls anytime of year is Rainbow Falls. Its constant mist in warm weather sends rainbows vaulting toward the sun, giving the waterfall its name. Rainbow Falls, also known as High Falls, is on the Horsepasture River in Transylvania County.
A very impressive cascade, 411-foot Whitewater Falls – arguably the highest in the eastern United States – is called the “king of waterfalls.” No other waterfall in the east has the combination of water volume, height and visibility. Whitewater Falls has been designated a North Carolina Natural Heritage Area.
Looking Glass Falls is one of the country’s most viewed falls. It’s 35 feet wide and drops 65 feet! You can view it from the observation deck or you can walk to its base. You might recognize this waterfall from the movie Last of the Mohicans, which was filmed in this and several other beautiful spots in NC.
Although not a waterfall, Sliding Rock is also in this area. This 60-foot natural water slide in the Pisgah National Forest is not to be missed. Wear your old blue jean cut-offs to sit and slip down the rock into the pool below, where 60-degree water beats summer heat.
Other falls of note in the area include Turtleback Falls, a favorite swimming spot, Moore Cove Falls, which spills over a tremendous granite shelf, creating a falls you can walk behind, and Twin falls, which features two falls.
No matter where you travel in Transylvania County, there is probably a cooling waterfall nearby.
added: December 23, 2008
updated: December 30, 2008
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Comments
Cindy Tomcak post: (Wed - Jun 15, 2011 3:05 PM)
Don't think of commercializing this area! It is so much more beautiful because of the lack of people and lack of signs, housekeeping, etc. There is nothing better than appeciating the area just as it is, as an out of state traveler that comes to this location and has recommended to many others for this reason.
Judy Taylor post: (Thu - May 27, 2010 8:08 AM)
We have such beautiful parks in NC, every bit as wonderful as those in TN., but we don't have lodges and restaurants in our parks like TN. Don't you think this would be an economic boon to our state if we did? They could be positioned and operated to enhance our natural outdoors.