5 popular waterfalls to check out in WNC, plus tips to stay safe
Waterfalls are a beloved staple of Western North Carolina recreation, but without exercising proper caution they can become deadly for visitors; Transylvania County provides safety guidelines for enjoying its 250 waterfall locations this summer.
The county, appropriately nicknamed “Land of Waterfalls,” launched the "Be Waterfall Wise" safety campaign in 2016 to keep visitors safe. A recent news release from the Transylvania County tourism board reminding the public of these guidelines claimed the campaign began in 2016 following a string of six waterfall-related deaths in a single year.
Clark Lovelace, executive director of the Transylvania County Tourism Board, told the Citizen Times that he believes underestimating the danger of waterfalls is perhaps the most common reason for deaths and injuries at these sites.
“Waterfalls are not amusement park rides that were designed for your safety,” Lovelace said. “We're so used to things being designed for our safety that we're just not thinking. And if you look at all of our wonderful safety tips, none of them are really complicated or surprising, but simple things like keeping your eyes on your kids and pets at all times."
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The “Be Waterfall Wise” campaign’s simple guidelines come as a list of seven easy rules for waterfall visitors to follow:
Observe all posted signs leading to waterfall areas.
Do not swim or wade upstream near a waterfall.
Watch for slick rocks around waterfalls.
Do not jump off waterfalls or dive into pools.
Do not climb on rocks above waist height.
Watch your children and pets at all times.
Stay on marked trails and observation areas.
Lovelace said land managers and emergency services representatives have all given positive feedback on the impact the campaign has made.
“The land managers at Pisgah, Dupont and Gorges State Parks have all three said there is no doubt this has made a difference,” Lovelace said.
While the primary focus of the campaign is to keep visitors safe, it is more than just preventing death and injury. Lovelace said that other benefits have become obvious since it began.
“It's a pretty darn big strain on the very limited resources of emergency personnel,” Lovelace said. “It costs thousands of dollars every time there's a rescue. These are difficult to get to places — there's no cellphone coverage, there's limited trail access — and so getting in and getting out is a drain on local resources.”
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Waterfalls to check out
Lovelace suggested some Transylvania County waterfalls to visit this summer.
Short hike — Looking Glass Falls. For the waterfall experience without the hike, Lovelace suggests Looking Glass Falls. Visitors can view this waterfall from an observation deck near the parking area on U.S. 276, a little less than 6 miles north of the intersection with U.S. 64 and N.C. 280 in Pisgah Forest.
Multiple waterfalls — Dupont State Forest, Transylvania and Henderson counties. Hikers who visit this forest can visit three different waterfalls over the course of a single day, beginning at Hooker Falls and walking only a few miles to view both Triple Falls and High Falls. The tourism board suggests parking at the Hooker Falls lot on Staton Road in for easy access to these trails.
Less populated — Gorges State Park. Lovelace suggested planning a hike through Gorges if you’re looking to view more remote waterfalls with fewer visitors. The park features multiple waterfalls including Rainbow Falls, and offers a variety of hike lengths to access the various sites. Plan to park at their visitor center located at 976 Grassy Ridge Rd, Sapphire, NC 28774.
We also suggest:
Bridal Veil Falls: The hike to this unusual waterfall is about 1.5 miles from the Hooker Falls parking lot in DuPont State Forest. Named for the “veil” formation created by the sheets of water that cascade down the rockface, this waterfall is so picturesque that it was featured in the 1992 film “Last of the Mohicans.”
Sliding Rock: Technically, Sliding Rock is not a waterfall. However, the all-natural water slide rock formation provides the beautiful view and soothing sounds of a waterfall with the added opportunity for a unique day in nature. Sliding Rock features an 8-foot deep plunge pool at the bottom of the 60-foot natural slides, and employs lifeguards during open season to ensure visitor safety. Park at the Sliding Rock Recreation Area on U.S. 276 a little less than 8 miles north of the intersection with U.S. 64 and N.C. 280 in Pisgah Forest.
For more details, planning and exact locations, visit the Transylvania County website.
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Iris Seaton is a news intern for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Please support local, daily journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: 5 popular waterfalls to check out in WNC, plus tips to stay safe
