 Upper Whitewater Falls is the highest waterfall east of the Rockies, falling 411 feet! It's about 60 miles from downtown Asheville and part of the Whitewater River in the Jocassee Gorge area of North Carolina just before you reach South Carolina. For an excellent view of Whitewater Falls, follow the paved 1/4-mile walkway to the upper overlook. The walkway begins at the end of the parking lot and is accessible to wheelchairs. A lower overlook with an even better view (see photo at right) is located at the bottom of 154 wooden steps. The only full views of the falls are from these two overlooks. However, some people venture off the trail to try for better views. Tragically, several of these people fell to their deaths or suffered serious injuries at Whitewater Falls. Please stay on the trails.
More energetic hikers can continue down the half-mile spur trail that drops 600 feet in elevation to the Whitewater River and Foothills Trail. It's a nice spot to swim and hang out on the big rocks. Once down the set of stairs, the trail switchbacks down the mountain and is steep in places. It will be very slippery on a wet day. You can get to the base of the falls from here. Cross the metal bridge and take the path to the left towards the falls. To the right is the Foothills Trail which will take you down river, past the base of Corbin Creek Falls, and into South Carolina. The trail towards the falls is rather treacherous and hard to follow in places. |
Because of the escarpment's difficult access and rugged terrain, much of the area receives few visitors and has remained wild and undeveloped over the years. In the cool, moist shade of steep slopes and rock cliffs, wildflowers and salamanders abound. This wild land is also a perfect haven for a rich array of ferns, mosses, and fungi.
From Asheville: Take 240-West to I 26-East. Go to the Asheville Airport/Brevard Exit (exit 40) and take a right. Drive to Brevard and take U.S. 64 West. At Sapphire, turn left on NC 281 and go south about eight miles to the Whitewater Falls entrance. Nearby is Gorges State Park with more waterfalls, including Rainbow Falls. Whitewater Falls is part of the Nantahala National Forest.
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Capturing the waterfall view from the upper overlook.
Hours: Dawn until dusk, year-round.
Fee: $2 for vehicles with seven passengers or less; $1 per person for more than seven people traveling together in a vehicle. Annual pass available for $15; One-day or season permits are also valid at Whiteside Mountain and at Dry Falls. Picnic tables & Restrooms available. No camping.
Download a PDF of the Whitewater Falls brochure.
Lower Whitewater Falls in South Carolina
 Just a few miles downstream in South Carolina is Lower Whitewater Falls that cascades 200 feet down a rock face in the Jocassee Gorges area. A view of this waterfall requires quite a hike.
The Whitewater River, starting with the larger Whitewater Falls upstream just across the border into NC, falls 1,500 feet over 3.5 miles. There are several more falls downstream of the Lower falls, but most are quite inaccessible. The two-mile trail to the falls overlook begins at Duke Power's Bad Creek Pumped Storage Project north of Lake Jocassee. From the Foothills Trail parking lot, ascend 1. mile to a high, flat hill with views of Jocassee and then descend .5 mile to the Whitewater River. After crossing the bridge over the river, you will join the Foothills Trail and ascend for .5 mile before turning right onto the .9 mile falls spur trail. This spur will ascend some more, join a relatively flat gravel road for a time and give you time to rest before descending steeply for .4 mile to the falls overlook. During the hunting season months of October, November, December and April, this road (Musterground Road) is open to vehicle traffic and can be accessed to the right of the Foothills Trail parking lot. Passenger vehicles can easily drive as far as where the spur trail intersects the road. Thus, the hike can be cut by 2/3 during these months.
From Sapphire, NC, drive NC 281 past the Upper Whitewater Falls overlook area to the stateline where NC 281 become SC 130. Follow SC 130 another mile or so to the Duke Power Bad Creek Project on the left. Turn right, drive up to the gate and wait for it to open. From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., the gate should open automatically to let folks in. (Hikers can get out at anytime, but folks can only get in during daylight hours.) Drive another two miles down to the Foothills Trail trailhead parking lot. Again, look for signs directing you to Whitewater Falls. Portajohns and pay phones are at the trailhead, but bring plenty of water or a water filtration system as none is available there.
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