Dry Falls
A 75-foot waterfall in Nantahala National Forest with an accessible overlook and a stepped lower trail. Walking behind the water depends on current trail conditions and official access notices, which should be checked before visiting.
About Dry Falls
Dry Falls is a Nantahala National Forest waterfall along US 64 west of Highlands. The Forest Service describes a 75-foot drop and publishes information on access, parking and site conditions. Its position along Cullasaja Gorge makes it suitable for a roadside outing without requiring a long mountain hike.
There are two distinct visitor experiences: an accessible route to a viewing platform and a descent by steps toward the lower part of the falls. When open, the lower trail approaches the area behind the falling water. Accessibility at the viewing platform does not mean that the entire trail is accessible.
The official page consulted for this edition retained a closure notice for the lower section dated September 14–18, 2026. Those dates had passed by the research cutoff, but the expiration of a notice is not independent confirmation of reopening. Check current conditions before making the passage behind the water the main reason for the excursion.
The useful visitor location is the recreation access on US 64, not the forest district office in Franklin. The listed phone reaches that district office rather than a Dry Falls ticket desk. The attraction's value lies in observing the water and landscape; signs and current management notices determine how much of the route can be used.
Contact: Nantahala Ranger District; not a staffed line at the waterfall.