september 2021
Land of Waterfalls - Transylvania County
Where: western North Carolina
Directions: NC 64
Good to Know:
The North Carolina Waterfalls website will provide accurate and up-to-date directions and conditions to just about any waterfall you will want to visit.
Waterfalls are dangerous - approach with common sense. Do not go near the top of waterfalls and down below beware of slippery rocks and unseen currents in the water at the base.
Why so good:
THE WATERFALLS.
Waterfalls are among the best rewards for a hike with your dog. While you can’t trek to all of the Transylvania County area’s 250+ waterfalls there are enough outstanding hikes to fill up a few years of week-long vacations. The marquee hydrospectaculars - Looking Glass Falls, Triple Falls, Whitewater Falls, Rainbow Falls - are at the top of every waterfall hunter’s list and on the covers of all the tourist propaganda.
These big name falls all have something in common - they are generally lousy for dogs. Well, assuming your dog doesn’t appreciate the beauty of the falls because there is no place to swim for refreshing dog paddling. So this will be your guide to what will surely be your water-loving dog’s list of best destinations in the Land of Waterfalls. While those other falls have gotten so popular the parking lots at the trailheads are forced to close on busy days there won’t be any wait to use these canine swimming pools.
SCHOOLHOUSE FALLS. Lake Toxaway
Welcome to the most unique valley in the Blue Ridge Mountains, tucked into the Nantahala National Forest. Even the Forest Service left this backcountry alone, only recently creating an “official” trail system blazed by volunteers enamored by the Panthertown Valley. There are eight significant waterfalls in the valley and a grand tour takes in five in a roughly nine-mile loop. The canine hike quickly switchbacks into a flat-bottomed valley - a rarity among the typical V-shaped Appalachian gorges. The bottomlands are lubricated by clear bronze streams with many opportunities for dog paddling. The first big chance comes at Schoolhouse Falls where it will take some considerable coaxing to get your water-loving dog away from the plunge pool and large fluffy sand beach to continue the hike. Or not continue, this swimming hole can serve as an easy day’s destination.
HIGH FALLS. Thompson River
No, these aren’t the High Falls in DuPont State Forest with the covered bridge and where the tour buses go. And these aren’t the High Falls on the Mills River beneath the Blue Ridge Parkway (although if you find yourself at these falls by mistake there is a big swimming hole here - but it requires a sometimes tricky hike on an unmarked trail that can be impassable in high water). The trail to the High Falls on the Thompson River isn’t marked either but it is an easy to follow old logging road with parking right on NC 281. The hike to the falls covers about 1.5 miles with a scramble to the river at the end. This is one journey you won’t want to make after a heavy rainfall since you need to cross the river to get to the plunge pool. Not to worry - the falls are just as impressive and the doggie swimming pool just as refreshing in normal times.
GRAVLEY FALLS. Brevard
Headwaters State Forest is the region’s newest state forest and planners are determined to keep it as pristine as possible. You can bet there will never be tours buses heading here like they do its neighbor, DuPont State Forest. They are still debating whether to even put signage up at all so you will have to research the two trailheads to reach Gravley Falls (one leaves a half-mile hike and the other about one mile). The more direct route is a pleasant wonder down a serpentine old road where you will be accompanied by pine needles on the path most of the way. Be alert that the first sound of rushing water and the waterfall on your right will come at the top of the falls so don’t allow your dog to rush to the stream at first encounter. The pretty waterfall is only about 20 feet high but it is only a few more steps to the scramble path ahead. The plunge pool has a wide sandy bottom so you can wade in and swim with your dog at Gravley.
COURTHOUSE FALLS. NC 215
Courthouse Falls is one of the most picturesque plunges in the Blue Ridge Mountains, tucked into a rocky cove. The hike is a short one - maybe as little as a half-mile depending on your launching point. The pool is deep and there is no need to toss sticks close to the falls for your dog to fetch - the undercurrent is strong and potentially dangerous. There is more good waterfall swimming nearby on the main road at the Mill Shoals waterfall of Living Waters Ministry.
SLIDING ROCK. Pisgah National Forest
OK, Sliding Rock is in that pantheon of Transylvania waterfalls that attract masses of people. The 60-foot natural rock slide has slithered its way to top of Best Natural Swimming Holes on national lists. A $3 admission fee has not eased traffic in the least; nor has overflow parking on US 276. There are lifeguards on duty through the summer. Needless to say, this is not the place for your dog at that time. But if you come in the off season…the crowds are gone and that 8-foot deep pool at the bottom of the rock will keep your dog swimming as long as she wants.
