If you’re trying to decide which waterfall to chase near Highlands and Cashiers, the honest answer is it depends on how much walking you want to do and how much water you want to see falling. This corner of the Nantahala National Forest packs an unusual amount of vertical drama into a small area — you can stand behind a 75-foot curtain of water on a five-minute trail, or hike a bit further to look at the tallest waterfall east of the Rockies.
The Best Waterfall Hikes Near Highlands and Cashiers
1. Dry Falls Trail
Distance: 0.11 mi. This is the shortest hike on this list, and it’s also the one visitors talk about most. Dry Falls drops 75 feet in Cullasaja Gorge, and a set of stairs takes you along a path that runs behind the falling water. It’s an easy add-on if you’re driving the Cullasaja Gorge corridor and want a big payoff without much walking. Because it’s so short and so photogenic, expect other people to be there — this is not a solitude hike, it’s a see-it-up-close hike.
2. Glen Falls Trail
Distance: 0.60 mi. Glen Falls is the pick if you want more than one waterfall on a single short hike. The trail passes three separate falls, and the third one has a swimming hole that works well for families on a warm day. The trail does involve some elevation change as it descends toward the falls (and climbs back out), so it’s a bit more of a workout than its short distance suggests, but it’s manageable for most hikers.
3. Whitewater Falls Trail
This trail gets you to Upper Whitewater Falls, a 411-foot drop that’s the tallest waterfall east of the Rockies. If you only have time for one big, jaw-dropping waterfall view near Highlands and Cashiers, this is the one to prioritize — the scale of it is genuinely different from the shorter falls on this list. It’s less about a demanding hike and more about the payoff at the overlook, which makes it a good option for hikers who want a major scenic reward without a strenuous trail.
How We Ranked These
We didn’t rank these waterfall hikes near Highlands and Cashiers by distance or difficulty alone — a short trail can still be a poor fit if it’s overcrowded or if the payoff doesn’t match the effort. Here’s what we actually weighed:
- Scenic payoff relative to effort: Dry Falls and Whitewater Falls both deliver an outsized view for a short walk, which is why they lead this list.
- Variety of experience: Glen Falls earns its spot because it offers three distinct waterfalls and a swimming hole, not just one viewpoint.
- Accessibility for different hikers: We considered whether a trail works for someone with limited mobility, a family with kids, or someone looking for a legitimate workout — these three hikes cover different points on that spectrum.
- Realistic crowd expectations: Short, famous waterfalls draw crowds. We call that out rather than pretend these are hidden gems.
Parking and Trailhead Reality
Dry Falls and Glen Falls both sit along popular corridors near Highlands, and their short distances mean turnover is usually decent even when the lot looks full — most people are in and out within thirty to sixty minutes. That said, on weekends during warm weather or leaf season, arriving earlier in the day gives you a much better shot at a close parking spot rather than circling or waiting.
Whitewater Falls tends to draw a similar crowd pattern because the overlook is the main draw and most visitors don’t linger on the trail itself. None of these trailheads are accessed via long stretches of unpaved forest road the way some of the more remote Panthertown-area trails are, but conditions can shift, so it’s worth checking current conditions before you go, especially after heavy rain when gorge roads can be affected.
Seasonal Notes
Waterfall volume and appearance change a lot with the season here. Late winter and spring, after snowmelt and regular rain, tend to give you the fullest, most dramatic flow at all three of these falls — this is when Whitewater Falls in particular looks its most impressive. Summer brings warmer water and more swimmers at Glen Falls’ third falls, but also thinner flow during dry stretches. Fall brings leaf color to the gorge walls around Dry Falls, which is part of why that trail gets busy during peak color weeks despite being barely a tenth of a mile long.
Winter is a mixed bag. The stairs behind Dry Falls can ice over, and the mist off the falls makes the walkway slicker than it looks even when the surrounding trail seems fine. If you’re visiting between late fall and early spring, treat the footing at Dry Falls with real caution rather than assuming a short trail means a low-risk trail.
What to Bring
For Dry Falls and Glen Falls, sturdy shoes with real tread matter more than people expect — the rock near both falls gets wet from spray and can be deceptively slick even on a dry day. If you’re planning to use the swimming hole at Glen Falls, bring water shoes, since the streambed isn’t sand. A light rain layer is worth packing for any of these hikes given how quickly weather can shift in the gorge terrain around Highlands. None of these three trails require serious backcountry gear, but a phone with a downloaded map or a paper map is smart, since cell service in the gorge areas can be spotty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which waterfall hike near Highlands and Cashiers is best for kids?
Glen Falls is the strongest choice for families, mainly because of the swimming hole at the third falls. Dry Falls is also short enough for most kids to handle, but the stairs behind the falls warrant close supervision since the surface can be wet.
Which waterfall is the tallest?
Upper Whitewater Falls, reached via the Whitewater Falls Trail, drops 411 feet and is recognized as the tallest waterfall east of the Rockies. It’s the clear pick if scale is your priority.
Can you walk behind any of these waterfalls?
Yes — Dry Falls is the one where a stairway lets you walk behind the 75-foot curtain of water. That’s a big part of why it’s such a popular short hike despite its length being just 0.11 miles.
Are these trails crowded?
Dry Falls and Whitewater Falls both see steady visitor traffic because they’re short, well-known, and deliver a dramatic view quickly. If you’re hoping for solitude, plan an early morning visit or a weekday trip rather than a weekend afternoon.
Do I need a permit to hike these trails?
These waterfall hikes don’t require a special permit based on the verified trail information for this area, but rules and access can change, so it’s worth checking current conditions and any posted forest service notices before you go.
Ready to plan your next trip out? Browse every verified trail near Highlands and Cashiers in the WNC Trails directory, where you can filter by difficulty, distance, and current conditions before you head out — and always double-check trail and road conditions the day of your hike.
Related Pages
- Weekend Hikes Near Highlands And Cashiers
- Sunset Hikes Near Highlands And Cashiers
Want more routes in this area? See our complete guide to Highlands and Cashiers hikes.
