In a state with countless waterfalls, it can be hard to stand out–but the majestic Dry Falls in Highlands, NC absolutely does.
Not only is this dramatic 75-foot waterfall a magnificent sight from any angle, but it’s one of the few waterfalls in North Carolina that you can walk behind!
We had an absolute blast visiting Dry Falls (with our toddler and our dog, Ranger, in tow), and would highly recommend a stop there to anyone visiting the Nantahala National Forest.
Here’s what to know about visiting Dry Falls!
Where is Dry Falls, North Carolina?
Dry Falls is located inside the Nantahala National Forest in southwestern North Carolina, just off of US Highway 64 (this stretch is also known as the Mountain Scenic By-Way).
Even before arriving at Dry Falls, the drive there is quite scenic!
There are several blink-and-you’ll-miss-them pullouts along the route that have excellent views of the Cullasaja River (cullasaja means “sugar water” in Cherokee, an apt description), so be sure to keep your eyes peeled as you make your way to the waterfall.
Our Experience Walking Behind Dry Falls as a Family
When we pulled into the parking lot at Dry Falls, we were lucky enough to snag the last parking spot in the fairly small lot right away–and while we lucked out, we definitely made a note to arrive earlier in the day next time if possible (we visited around lunchtime).
Our first stop was a quick visit to the accessible viewing platform located just a short, flat stroll away, which is where we got our first glimpse of Dry Falls!
The view from here is gorgeous, but truthfully, it pales in comparison to the views below.
After catching sight of the winding, paved pathways approaching the lower view of the falls, I opted to bring our travel stroller along with us for our toddler, but that was absolutely a mistake!
The trail is paved, yes (except for behind the waterfall and beyond), but there are far more stairs than we realized, and the stroller stayed folded up the whole time.
The walk down was short and sweet, though (the trail is .11 miles, out-and-back), and the views of Dry Falls got better with every step!
Walking behind the waterfall was exceptionally fun, and reminded us a lot of visiting the famous Seljalandsfoss Waterfall in Iceland.
On the day we visited, the falls were roaring but we only got a bit misty when behind them–we’ve heard that some people get soaked, though!
The trail ends just beyond Dry Falls, and the view of the falls and trail from the end are picture-perfect.
We definitely recommend walking all the way through–that view was our second-favorite part of visiting (after the experience of walking behind Dry Falls).
What to Know Before Visiting Dry Falls, NC
The area behind the falls can be slippery and muddy.
Somewhat self-explanatory, perhaps, but it’s good to keep in mind!
You’ll definitely want sturdy shoes for this part, though it’s fairly brief.
While the walk is short, you do need to climb down to the falls.
Expect stairs and uneven pathways along the .11 mile route!
Most of the trail is paved, but not all.
… but there is a viewing platform where you can see the waterfall from above.
While we didn’t find the view from above quite as remarkable as the one from below, there’s no doubt that it’s also a beautiful spot!
We recommend setting aside about 30 minutes to an hour to visit Dry Falls.
This entirely depends on your travel style and group, of course, but overall, we found ourselves lingering at Dry Falls longer than we expected.
It’s such a lovely spot, and we wanted to stick around and enjoy it for a bit!
There is a nominal fee to visit.
As of the time of writing, visiting Dry Falls requires a $3 fee per vehicle (lowered to $1 with a Golden Passport Discount or Interagency Pass, including the fabulous America the Beautiful Pass).
Be sure to bring your national parks pass (AKA America the Beautiful Pass) along if you have one!
Consider visiting Whitewater Falls the same day.
That $3 fee mentioned above?
It also covers access to Whitewater Falls, which is about a 45-minute drive away!
Whitewater Falls is a whopping 411 feet tall and is the highest waterfall in the country east of the Rockies.
While we didn’t love visiting quite as much as we loved our time at Dry Falls, we had a great time and definitely recommend a visit.
… and don’t miss Bridal Veil Falls, either!
The lovely Bridal Veil Falls, which famously falls right over US Highway 64, is located a mere 2 minutes up the road from Dry Falls!
It’s free, quick, and very easy to visit: there’s a pullout right by the falls.
There are composting toilets at the trailhead.
Like most composting toilets, they’re not much to write home about, but we were glad to see them!
Parking is limited, so show up early or late (especially at busy times).
The parking lot at Dry Falls is fairly small–maybe 25 spots or so–and it does fill up, especially at peak times.
If you want to be sure to get a spot, consider arriving early in the morning… or later in the evening, especially on summer nights when the sun sticks around longer!
Dry Falls is open from dawn to dusk, year-round.
