Enjoy our photo tour in Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests to some of our year-round favorite cascades to visit. All of these are easy to find with safe trails. Good hiking shoes with strong grips are highly recommended since most trails will have some icy spots. But some you can see from the road! Click on the name of each for a full page guide to read much more about them. (Pic above: Dry Falls)
Looking Glass Falls: This longtime favorite roadside waterfall in Pisgah National Forest can be seen from the parking area - or take the steps down for a close-up view. Be careful of icy steps due to the frozen spray from the cascading water.
Sliding Rock: This popular natural water slide is known for its chilly mountain waters each summer - but not this cold! Located near Looking Glass Falls, it's open all year to visit.
Daniel Ridge Falls: Take a half mile woodland hike to discover this 150-foot tall frozen beauty in Pisgah National Forest near Looking Glass Rock.
Upper Whitewater Falls: The tallest waterfall in the North Carolina mountains creates a 411-foot tall icy wonder, complete with loud booms from shifting ice. It's located in Nantahala National Forest with a short paved trail that leads to a staircase down to this view.
Silver Run Falls: This summertime swimming hole near Cashiers is a short walk from the road.
Dry Falls: One of the rare waterfalls that you can walk behind, this roadside stop near Highlands along US Highway 64 is a must see year round.
Forest Heritage Scenic Byway: Drive past the ice cliffs along NC Highway 215 near the Blue Ridge Parkway. You'll usually see some ice climbers practicing their skills. This is our top winter scenic mountain drive, taking you 76 miles through the Pisgah National Forest and by many waterfalls.
French Broad & Mill Shoals Falls: This twin waterfall is just a few steps from NC Highway 215.
Mingo Falls: This 200-foot waterfall in Cherokee looks more like a glacier during extreme cold weather. It's short walk via a long staircase, located in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Catawba Falls: Located just a few miles from I-40 in Old Fort, this waterfall hike takes you 1.5 miles past a rushing river to a 100-foot cascade.
If you are looking for more falls in the North Carolina mountains, see our Top 60 Waterfalls near Asheville.
