Waterfalls, slides, and cascades are everywhere in Pisgah, from prominent tourist attractions to the unmarked and sometimes hidden falls in the backcountry. We’ve listed information about a few of the more prominent falls below.
Looking Glass Falls
This iconic Pisgah landmark is a photogenic 30 foot wide falls that drops unbroken more than 60 feet over a rock cliff. It is four miles west of the Visitor Center on US276. You can park by the road on the right. Use the overlook to get a good view of the falls or take the stairs to the base of the falls and feel its power (and maybe a bit of spray) up close.
Moore Cove Falls
50 foot waterfall that falls over a ledge, easy 0.7 mile hike from US276. Go north from Visitors Center 1 mile north of Looking Glass Falls. Park on paved right shoulder before concrete bridge – careful, it’s easy to miss! Cross footbridge, follow trail upstream.
Courthouse Falls
Courthouse Creek drops 45 feet into a large pool in picturesque cove. Moderate 20 minute round trip hike from gravel road. From intersection of NC215 and FS140 (2.6 miles north of SR1328); Clinic Road; or 5.3 miles south of Blue Ridge Parkway); Drive 3 miles to trailhead – small pull-off just beyond creek crossing. Walk 0.2 miles down the trail, beyond falls to a narrow trail bearing sharply back to left; then to base of falls. Seasonal road closures may be in effect.
Jackson Falls/Daniel Ridge Falls
Multiple, nearly vertical cascades totaling about 100 feet. Easy, 25 minute round trip from gravel road. Go 3.6 miles north from Visitor Center, make first left turn (FS475). Drive 3.9 miles to parking area at second gated road on right. Park without blocking gate. Falls are approximately 0.4 miles away, beyond gate and river, on logging road.
Slick Rock Falls
Attractive 30 foot waterfall. Easy 200 foot walk from gravel road. Go 3.6 miles north from Visitor Center, make first left turn (FS475). Go 1.5 miles to gravel road intersection just beyond Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education. Turn right on FS475B, travel 1.1 miles to small pull-off on right, at trailhead with bulletin board. Walk up steps and then about 40 yards up the trail, from which point falls are visible to the right; short side trail leads about 25 yards to falls.
Waterfalls of Graveyard Fields
Two large cascades on Yellowstone Prong, near panoramic settings. Moderate hikes from Graveyard Fields parking lot, Blue Ridge Parkway MP419. For Upper Falls, take trail from left end of parking lot for 1 hour round trip hike. Go about 1 mile, crossing bridge; take spur trail to left, then about ½ mile to falls. For Second (Lower) Falls, take trail from right end of lot for 20-minute round trip hike. Follow paved trail to and across bridge; take spur trail to right, then 60-step wooden stairway to base of falls. Seasonal road closures may be in effect.
More . . .
Our friend, Rich Stevenson, maintains an extensive website with lots and lots of info about waterfalls in Pisgah and the surrounding region. Check him out at http://www.ncwaterfalls.com. He also has a beautiful photo gallery for waterfalls, which is at www.pbase.com/waterfallrich/north_carolina_waterfalls.