Chasm Falls

Macon County, North Carolina

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Macon County, North Carolina
Access status: Short but difficult; creek crossing for the base view
The walk: About 0.4 miles return
Ground & access: Difficult for its length. Overgrown old road, steep ground at the top of the falls, and a creek crossing for the base view. Rocks are very slippery.

Waterfall Hero: Chasm Falls (East Fork Overflow Creek) directions

From Highlands, drive south on NC 28 for 6 miles and turn right on Blue Valley Road, which turns to gravel and becomes FR 79 in the national forest. Go 4.5 miles to where the road curves right and pull off. Walk down the old, overgrown logging road toward East Fork Overflow Creek for a little over 0.1 miles; it narrows to a trail and reaches the top of the 20 foot falls, where a fall would be fatal. For the base, backtrack and head down to the creek. You must cross the creek, which is difficult or dangerous in high water, to see the chasm from the other side.

Plan your visit

FR 79 (Blue Valley Road) pulloff south of Highlands, old logging road to the top of Chasm Falls, creek crossing for the base view

Waterfall Hero gives a 0.4 mile round trip, rated difficult. Take a Hike gives less than a half mile round trip.

Difficult for its length. Overgrown old road, steep ground at the top of the falls, and a creek crossing for the base view. Rocks are very slippery.

Where to start

Roadside pulloff on FR 79 at the right-hand curve, 4.5 miles from NC 28. Published trailhead coordinates: 35.00911, -83.25069.

Timing & water

Do not cross the creek in high water.

Before you go

No fee is mentioned. Nantahala National Forest, Nantahala Ranger District.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore North Carolina

Waterfall location

Macon County, North Carolina.

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