The Cascades on Nantahala
Macon County, North Carolina
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Macon County, North Carolina
- Access status
- Roadside pull-off with a short paved path
- The walk
- Under 0.1 miles
- Ground & access
- Paved footpath. Rocks by the river are slippery; stay out of the current.
The pull-off on Wayah Road is right at the top of the Cascades, a small waterfall on the Nantahala River in Nantahala National Forest. A paved footpath along the river leads to a good view. The spot is popular for fishing, and expert kayakers run the drop.
Plan your visit
Pull-off on Wayah Road at the top of the Cascades, short paved footpath along the Nantahala River
Waterfall Hero gives a hike length of under 0.1 miles from the pull-off.
Paved footpath. Rocks by the river are slippery; stay out of the current.
Where to start
From Bryson City, go west on US 74 about 20 miles and turn left on Wayah Road. Go about 4 miles to a pull-off on the right at the top of the waterfall, less than a quarter mile before the turn for Old River Road.
Timing & water
River flow depends on dam releases upstream. Current conditions not verified.
Before you go
Current fees and reservation requirements unknown.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Jagged Rock FallsRoadside view near a forest road pull-offMacon County, NC0.2 miNE
- Nantahala CascadesRoadside parking; short steep pathMacon County, NC0.3 miE
- Whiteoak FallsNational forest; roadside parking and a very short pathMacon County, NC0.3 miNE
- Camp Branch FallsRoadside view across the river documented; winter viewing recommendedMacon County, NC0.6 miNW
- Nelsons FallsMacon County, NC3.0 miW
- Handpole Branch FallsPartial: very difficult, trail ends above the fallsGraham County, NC3.1 miNW
- Inside Passage FallsPartial: faint path and creekwalk; railroad crossing permission not statedGraham County, NC3.2 miNW
- Ledbetter Canyon FallsGraham County, NC3.3 miNW
- The NotchGraham County, NC3.4 miNW