Cullasaja Falls is a waterfall in southwestern North Carolina. The waterfall is located on the Cullasaja River in the Nantahala National Forest and is part of the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway. Cullasaja comes from a Cherokee word meaning "honey locust place".GeologyThe falls is the last major waterfall on the Cullasaja River. The falls is a long cascade over the course of 0.2 miles (.3 km).The height of the falls is given as 200 ft (61 m) in Kevin Adams' book, North Carolina Waterfalls and 250 ft (77.1 m) by NCWaterfalls.com. However, Google Earth gives a height (based on the elevation of the water at the top of the falls and the elevation of the plunge pool at the bottom of the falls) of 137 ft (42 m).Visiting the fallsIt is easy to catch a glimpse of the falls while driving by; however, getting a better view of the falls is not easy. The falls are located beside of a series of blind curves on U.S. 64, with sheer rock cliffs above and below the road. There is only one small pull-off near the falls, but walking on the road puts visitors in danger of being hit by a passing vehicle.ActivitiesThough difficult to reach, some use the falls as a place for leisure activities such as swimming (in the pool below) or rappelling.Use our Highlands online trip maker to arrange your visit to Cullasaja Falls and other attractions in Highlands.
Source
Create an itinerary including Cullasaja Falls
© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors
Cullasaja Falls reviews
-
We were staying at an AirBNB just outside of Franklin and decided to visit as many waterfalls as was reasonable. US 64 is a curvy, narrow road, with few places to pull over. Add in the ice/rock... more »
-
A beautiful waterfall. The only issue is because of the terrain of the area, there is very, very little parking. It is a two-lane narrow mountain road and you have to be very careful. Still...a must..... more »
-
Breathtaking waterfall, but a small turnout off main road, so easy to miss it. Google maps was so helpful.
-
Absolutely breathtaking. Huge and powerful. Quite a climb to get it, but not too hard as long as you're careful. Very very worth it.
Plan your trip to Highlands
Get a personalized trip
A complete day by day itinerary
based on your preferencesCustomize it
Refine your trip. We'll find the
best routes and schedulesManage it
Everything in one place.
Everyone on the same page.
Popular things to do in Highlands
Hidden gems in Highlands
Side trips from Highlands
Nearby attractions in Highlands
Nature in Highlands
Trips to Cullasaja Falls by other users
26 days in Smoky Mountains & Cherokee
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Cherokee
Murphy
Highlands
8 days in Highlands
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Bridal Veil Falls
Dry Falls
Cliffside Lake Recreation Area
6 days in North Carolina Mountains
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Nantahala Township
Asheville
Sapphire
35 days in North Carolina
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Durham
Corolla
Hatteras Island
6 days in Smoky Mountains & Cherokee
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Murphy
Cherokee
Highlands
8 days in Highlands
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Bridal Veil Falls
Dry Falls
Cliffside Lake Recreation Area