Cullasaja Falls
Macon County, North Carolina
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Macon County, North Carolina
- Access status
- Roadside viewpoint on a dangerous highway pullout documented by two accounts and the Forest Service
- The walk
- Roadside view; under 0.1 mile
- Ground & access
- Narrow highway shoulder on a cliffside road carved into the gorge. Loose rock on the knoll. The rough path to the base is steep and requires scrambling.
Cullasaja Falls is seen from a narrow pullout on US 64 in the Cullasaja Gorge between Highlands and Franklin. Kevin Adams says trees now block the view from the road, so for an open view you walk up the road a short distance, climb the little knoll and descend a steep slope with loose rock. The Forest Service lists Cullasaja Falls among the gorge waterfalls with no fee.
Plan your visit
US 64 pullout view of Cullasaja Falls
Waterfall Hero lists under 0.1 mile. Kevin Adams says you walk up the road a short distance and climb a small knoll for an open view. A rough path to the base is a separate, steep option.
Narrow highway shoulder on a cliffside road carved into the gorge. Loose rock on the knoll. The rough path to the base is steep and requires scrambling.
Where to start
Very small pullout on the river side of US 64, 8.8 miles west of the US 64 and NC 106 junction in Highlands and about 10.25 miles east of US 23/441 in Franklin. Both accounts advise driving past and turning around so you approach from the west, and pulling completely off the road because tractor trailers use both lanes on the curves.
Timing & water
Open year round. Best with good flow; the view is sketchy in any season because of trees and the road.
Before you go
No fee required. Nantahala National Forest, Nantahala Ranger District.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Crow Creek FallsMacon County, NC0.6 miW
- Upper Crow Creek FallsMacon County, NC0.7 miW
- Quarry FallsSource-reviewed route and parkingMacon County, NC1.7 miS
- Short Creek FallsNational forest; short bushwhack up a creekMacon County, NC1.7 miS
- Scandin FallsSteep, dangerous path from a tiny highway pulloutMacon County, NC2.2 miS
- Kindling FallsMacon County, NC2.3 miN
- Shut In FallsMacon County, NC2.5 miS
- Buck Creek FallsPartial guide: no trail, steep bushwhack from a gated forest roadMacon County, NC2.8 miNE
- Ranger FallsNational forest trail in a fee recreation areaMacon County, NC3.3 miSE