Simon Falls
Transylvania County, North Carolina
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Transylvania County, North Carolina
- Access status
- National forest old road; river ford required
- The walk
- About 1.6 to 1.75 miles each way
- Ground & access
- Moderate road walk, a river ford, and a very steep short path with trees to hold. The pool at the base is very deep and drops off steeply.
From US 64 near Lake Toxaway, drive south on NC 281 for about 3.6 to 3.7 miles, passing the Gorges State Park entrance, to Brewer Road on the left. Park in the wide paved area at the top of Brewer Road beside NC 281 or along the side of the road. Walk up the gated old logging road (Forest Road 87). Stay on the main road past an overgrown road on the left and the side paths to Reid Branch and High Falls. After about 1 to 1.25 miles the road descends by switchbacks to the Thompson River. Ford the river; unless the water is very low you will need to wade. Continue on the road, past primitive campsites, for about another half mile to an obvious path on the left. It drops steeply but briefly to the river below the 20 foot sliding falls.
Plan your visit
Brewer Road pull-off on NC 281, gated Forest Road 87, ford of the Thompson River, steep side path down to the falls
Waterfall Hero gives a hike length of 3.2 miles; Take a Hike gives about 3.5 miles round trip.
Moderate road walk, a river ford, and a very steep short path with trees to hold. The pool at the base is very deep and drops off steeply.
Where to start
Wide paved area at the top of Brewer Road beside NC 281, or along Brewer Road. Published trailhead coordinates: 35.07795, -82.99367.
Timing & water
Do not try the ford in high water. The Thompson River can be swift and dangerous after heavy rain.
Before you go
No fee is mentioned in the sources read. Pisgah National Forest, Pisgah Ranger District.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Unmentionable FallsTransylvania County, NC0.3 miN
- Reid Branch FallsNational forest old road; steep side path20 ft (6 m) · Transylvania County, NC0.5 miN
- High FallsGated old road and unofficial side trail; river wade for the best view49 ft (15 m) · Transylvania County, NC0.6 miNW
- Hidden Dome FallsNational forest; river ford and off-trail route, very difficultTransylvania County, NC0.6 miSW
- Rich FallsOld logging road, river wade and very steep side pathTransylvania County, NC0.9 miS
- Tumblin' Fun FallsTransylvania County, NC1.0 miNW
- White Owl FallsShort roadside scramble path in national forest; wade for the best view13 ft (4 m) · Transylvania County, NC1.1 miNW
- Standing Stone FallsTransylvania County, NC1.1 miS
- John's JumpShort unofficial path from a roadside pull-off; two firsthand sources agreeTransylvania County, NC1.2 miW