Whitewater Falls — 411ft Tiered in North Carolina

Whitewater Falls is a 411-foot tiered waterfall in Swain County, North Carolina, reached by an easy walk over 0.6 miles.

Whitewater Falls is the 411-foot multi-tiered cascade on the North Carolina-South Carolina border (Upper Whitewater is in NC, Lower Whitewater is in SC) — often cited as the highest-falling waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains, depending on how you measure tiered cascades. The 0.6-mile paved overlook trail in the Nantahala National Forest accesses the upper falls viewpoint; the overlook itself is wheelchair-accessible. Located in Sapphire/Cashiers area of southwest North Carolina, easy day-trip from Asheville (90 minutes east). Best in fall foliage and after spring rain.

What to expect

Drive Highway 281 south of Cashiers, NC. The Whitewater Falls Recreation Area is signed. Pay the small Forest Service parking fee. Park at the lot. Walk the 0.6-mile paved trail to the upper viewpoint — easy with one moderate descent to the platform. The view across to the multi-tier falls is dramatic. The South Carolina side (Lower Whitewater) requires a longer hike from a different trailhead. Pair with the Cashiers-Highlands resort area, Lake Toxaway, or Gorges State Park.