Nice short little hike for anyone who wants to get off the paved path at this popular waterfall destination. ... Whitewater Falls Parking Lot Access. This hike was simply a walk from a paved parking lot to the overlook of the falls with a paved trail… More Stats for Foothills Trail (Upper Whitewater Falls) hike trail Sloan Bridge to Fish Hatchery Road is a 3.3-mile (5.3 km) section of the trail that starts at SC Highway 107 and ends at Fish Hatchery Road. Upper Whitewater Falls resides in the Nantahala National Forest near Brevard in Jackson County, North Carolina. The walkway begins at a parking lot and is accessible to wheelchairs. Because of the escarpment's difficult access and rugged terrain, much of the area receives few visitors and has remained wild and undeveloped over the years. One sign says 0.7 tenths, next sign across the river says 0.5 tenths, and map says 0.6 tenths to the parking area. The trail ride is approximately 4 miles. The upper falls plummet 411 feet. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. The Lower Falls (in South Carolina) is about half-mile down the Whitewater River from the Upper Falls (in North Carolina). The trail to the overlook is a dangerous 1.7 mile trek. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Information about gaining access into Chimney Rock State Park (with pandemic details) can be found here. Upper Whitewater Falls to Sloan Bridge is a 5.5-mile (8.9 km) section of the trail that crosses into North Carolina and back into South Carolina. The view only gets better, though, as the trail begins a descent down a series of wooden stairs and landings. So if you want to visit both sections in one day, it’s very easy. It’s actually only a 5 minute drive from the Bad Creek parking lot for the Lower Whitewater Falls hike. And though more travelers journey to Upper Whitewater Falls in North Carolina, the Lower Falls in Oconee County comprise a 200-foot drop as dramatic as any in this guide. Great views of the falls are available from two overlooks. The most convenient access to the waterfall is at the Upper Whitewater Falls Access Area. Watermark will not appear on your print. Although it is uphill, It is a very short paved trail that is both family friendly and wheelchair accessible. The easiest overlook to reach is a quarter-mile from the parking lot along a paved path. Get a little peace and quiet at the popular Upper Whitewater Falls with a short trip down the Foothills Trail on this less than one mile loop. Upper Whitewater Falls (A8) to Sloan Bridge (A9) Bad Creek Access (A7) to Upper Whitewater Falls (A8) Canebrake (A6) to Bad Creek Access (A7) Laurel Fork Falls (A5) to Canebrake (A6) In the shadow of the steep hillside, the trail is often wet with slick rocks so take your time. ... Upper Whitewater Falls Trail Access. To experience these breathtaking falls up-close-and-personal, take the paved ¼ mile walkway to the upper overlook. Right along the North Carolina-South Carolina state line, lies one of the highest waterfalls (811 feet) East of the Rockies – Whitewater Falls. Upper Whitewater Falls, near Cashiers, drops over 411 feet and is the highest falls east of the Rocky Mountains. The falls can be seen from the bridge, but the view is partially obstructed by mountain laurel. Both the upper and lower falls feature scenic overlooks that can be accessed by car. The Forest Service Recreation Area for Whitewater Falls is just across the North Carolina line from South Carolina and is a very popular destination thanks to an easy .2 mile paved trail to an overlook. Or for a much more epic day, turn left on the Foothills Trail after the falls overlook, switchbacking down to the Whitewater River and following it to the Lower Falls. Learn more about the trail to Hickory Nut Falls from our friends at AllTrails. Make it a double date and check out the longer Lower Whitewater Falls Trail. Upper Whitewater Falls, tucked in Nantahala National Forest, drops 411 feet, a spectacular natural wonder you really have to see to believe. Upper Whitewater Falls is seven feet taller than Hickory Nut Falls. Our horses, mild-mannered and gentle, were previously owned by the children's camp, and will offer a smooth and comfortable ride. Upper Whitewater Falls Base Hike Route Map The approximate route of my hike to the base of Upper Whitewater Falls as depicted a la Google Earth... Foothills Trail Trailhead - Highway 281 The trailhead I'd be using on this hike is located just south of the Whitewater Falls Recreation Area access road. Get a little peace and quiet at the popular Upper Whitewater Falls with a short trip down the Foothills Trail on this less than one mile loop. The trail to the overlook starts at the far end of the parking lot behind the information boards. Foothills Trail (Upper Whitewater Falls) is a 6 mile blue singletrack trail located near Brevard North Carolina. One of the longer hikes on our list, the 90-foot drop of Linville Falls is worth the … Upper Whitewater Falls – Nantahala National Forest $ 45.00 – $ 675.00. There are several dedicated spots for RVs and buses. After half a mile, a spur trail takes you off the Foothills Trail and up the hillside to other side of the restrooms near the entrance to the parking lot, thus ending this loop. Want to explore a slightly more difficult trail to see the tallest waterfall in North Carolina? The Upper Whitewater Falls trailhead is located off of NC 281 right near the South Carolina border. if you enjoy this site consider supporting me on. It is accessed via a different parking lot off of Bad Creek Road. Quickly you will come to the Foothills Trail. After taking in the falls from the observation deck, follow the sign toward the Foothills Trail, continuing to descend another 100 feet. This hike primary trail can be used both directions and has a moderate overall physical rating. Size The parking lot and falls overlook is managed by the Forest Service. All Trails/Wesley Black However, if you want to miss the onslaught of visitors, avoid going to the falls during the afternoon. An overview of Upper Whitewater Falls, spectacular even without autumn colors, is just footsteps from a parking area off 281. Lower Whitewater Falls, located just across the border in South Carolina, drops another 400 feet. Immediately you will notice the much more rugged trail, litered with rocks and roots. Even when the paved path to the falls is crowded, you will find yourself alone most of the time along this section. A dramatic 200 ft. drop, these falls are the highest in eastern America. Also, take a staircase down to a second overlook. 35.030268, -83.016215 (Degree Decimal, DegDec), N 35°1.82, W 83°0.97 (Degree Minutes, MinDec), N 35°1'49'', N 35°1'49'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS). The two largest drops (Upper and Lower Whitewater Falls) are accessible. The Foothills Trail continues forward to NC HWY-281, but you need to turn right onto the Upper Whitewater Falls Trail. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, visit their website or Facebook page. Then leave the pavement to form a slightly longer loop along a short section of the 77-mile Foothills Trail. Day 4, Upper Whitewater Falls: ... Really nice flood plain trail along Whitewater River. Whitewater Falls, Sapphire: Address, Whitewater Falls Reviews: 4.5/5. A lower overlook with an even better view (photos above) is located at the bottom of 154 wooden steps. You will cross again over Whitewater River before making a steep ascent up to the junction with Upper Whitewater Falls Trail, around 6.3 miles in. 34 51.807. Email will only be used to send a verification link for first time use with this username and to authenticate the username for further reviews/comments. 83 05.880. A second overlook with a better A few miles down the same highway, a longer trail leads to a lower-falls vantage. GPS coordinates to parking area: N 35.01246 W 082.99911 The view of Sculpted Falls described here is known as the River Right Perch, because it is on the south side of the river - the right side looking downstream. The 400-foot lower falls can be accessed from a different location in South Carolina. The falls plunge an amazing 411 feet! 2.3 miles into the hike, the trail crosses Corbin Creek on a long wooden footbridge located just below rushing Corbin Creek Falls. Over 3.5 miles, the Whitewater River drops 1,500 feet. Oconee St Park Access. South Carolina's Lower Whitewater Falls drops another 400 feet. It is administered by the USDA Forest Service. The trail begins at the end of the lot from the entrance. Take your pick. Stop and enjoy an impressive 400 foot multi-tiered waterfall in North Carolina's Nantahala National Forest. This is a … It is only 0.1 mile to the main observation area, but you need to h up a lot of small wooden steps - I would say close to a hundred. A lower overlook is located at the bottom of 154 wooden steps. Located just 1.5 miles from the beautiful Whitewater Falls; a stunning waterfall with an elevation of 414ft. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/south-carolina/lower-whitewater-falls More energetic hikers can continue down the half-mile spur trail that drops 600 feet in elevation to the Whitewater River and Foothills Trail. Tallest: Upper Whitewater Falls. Linville Falls Hike. There are several viewing platforms at varying heights that offer different views of the falls. It is maintained by Duke Energy Co. GPS Coordinates. It’s located in the Nantahala National Forest, about 60 miles from Asheville. Some people mistake this waterfall for Upper Whitewater Falls, but the real show still lies ahead. United States ; ... but this hike only catches the upper 400 feet of the falls. The walkway begins at the end of the parking lot and is accessible to wheelchairs. Lower Whitewater Falls trail is about 4.2 miles. The rugged terrain around these two waterfalls remains wild and undeveloped. The path is paved the whole way to the first viewpoint, with wooden steps down to the second viewing platform. Upper Whitewater Falls is the highest waterfall east of the Rockies. Upper Whitewater Falls in the Nantahala National Forest (near Sapphire NC), photographed with the Autumn colors of the Fall season in Western North Carolina. For an excellent view of Upper Whitewater Falls, follow the paved 1/4-mile walkway to the upper overlook. Stay right, following the sign for NC HWY 281. A short distance north of the border is the Upper Whitewater Falls Access Area. Please note that while the Foothills Trail Conference has endeavored to make all maps and trail descriptions as accurate and reliable as possible, they should be considered informational only. Visitors to the falls must pay a $3/vehicle fee to view the falls. A hike a bit south of here leads to the lower falls. Then leave the pavement to form a slightly longer loop along a short section of the 76 mile Foothills Trail. Upper Whitewater Falls Upper Whitewater Falls is a 400 foot impressive waterfall a few miles of Lower Whitewater Falls, also on the Whitewater River. Turn right to reach the observation area. Get a little peace and quiet at the popular Upper Whitewater Falls with a short trip down the Foothills Trail on this less than one mile loop. North Carolina's Upper Whitewater Falls is a spectacular 411-foot cascade that rests near the border of South Carolina, dropping precipitously from the Blue Ridge Escarpment toward Jocassee Lake. It ends at SC Highway 107. Restrooms can be found on the entrance side and picnic tables and pavilions on the opposite end. It is managed by Forest Service. But Whitewater falls is the main attraction at this park and definitely worth seeing. Stop and enjoy an impressive 400 foot multi-tiered waterfall in North Carolina's Nantahala National Forest. Lower Whitewater Falls. All Rights Reserved, Where To Find Pumpkin Lattes & Pumpkin Beer in Greenville. Reached the access trail crossing at 1250 and headed across the river. Upper Whitewater Falls is on the NC side of the border and the Lower Whitewater Falls is on the SC side. The entire Whitewater Falls chain – six different waterfalls along the North and South Carolina border – is the highest series of falls in eastern North America. After spending some time by the lower falls, head back to the Bad Creek Access Trail junction. The hike catches its first views of Whitewater Falls at.25 mile, as the upper falls tumble in a series of wispy white cascades over a blocky, boulder-riddled cliff. Sculpted Falls is arguably the most scenic waterfall on the Upper Whitewater River, located in the middle of the Upper Whitewater Slot Canyon. At 6.3 miles, reach a junction with the Upper Whitewater Falls Trail. The Whitewater River features two large cascades as it flows from the mountains of North Carolina into Lake Jocassee. Upper Whitewater Falls path is about a 1.6 mile partially paved trail to an overlook and is rated as easy. Walk a quarter-mile paved trail (accessible for wheelchairs or scooters) to see the mighty Upper Whitewater Falls across the valley, plummeting 411 feet. 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