Jackson County, North Carolina
Waterfalls Near Cullowhee, NC
There are 66 named waterfalls within a 30-mile radius of Cullowhee, 5 of them inside 10 miles. Betsy Falls is the closest at 7.1 miles to the south. Dry Falls earns the best visitor rating nearby (4.9 stars from 1,145 Google reviews). The list includes falls across the line in South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee.
Distances are straight-line from the town center. Driving routes are longer.
Best Waterfalls Near Cullowhee at a Glance
30 Waterfalls Near Cullowhee, Ranked by Distance
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Betsy Falls
Betsy Falls is the closest named waterfall to Cullowhee, 7.1 miles to the south in Jackson County.
- Address
- Jackson County, NC (GPS 35.2179, -83.1326)
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Thurston Hatcher Falls
Thurston Hatcher Falls lies 7.5 miles south of Cullowhee in Jackson County, number 2 of 30 by distance. It ranks 15th for review count among waterfalls near Cullowhee. USGS notes: On Rough Run, 3.7 km (2.3 mi) E of Buck Knob and 5.6 km (3.5 mi) NW of Glenville.
- Rating
- 4.4 (5 Google reviews)
- Address
- Jackson County, NC 28723 (GPS 35.2059, -83.1651)
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Onion Cliff Falls
Onion Cliff Falls lies 7.5 miles southeast of Cullowhee in Jackson County, number 3 of 30 by distance.
- Address
- Jackson County, NC (GPS 35.2148, -83.1207)
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High Falls
High Falls lies 7.7 miles south of Cullowhee in Jackson County, number 4 of 30 by distance. It ranks 10th for review count among waterfalls near Cullowhee.
- Rating
- 4.6 (24 Google reviews)
- Address
- Jackson County, NC 28723 (GPS 35.2037, -83.1601)
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Onion Falls
Onion Falls lies 8.1 miles south of Cullowhee in Jackson County, number 5 of 30 by distance.
- Address
- Jackson County, NC (GPS 35.1976, -83.1529)
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Slatten Falls
Slatten Falls lies 10 miles southeast of Cullowhee in Jackson County, number 6 of 30 by distance.
- Address
- Jackson County, NC 28736 (GPS 35.2043, -83.0549)
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Woodfin Falls
Woodfin Falls lies 10 miles northeast of Cullowhee in Jackson County, number 7 of 30 by distance. Its own nearest town is Maggie Valley.
- Address
- Jackson County, NC (GPS 35.4493, -83.1008)
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Upper Vernal Falls
Upper Vernal Falls lies 12 miles east of Cullowhee in Jackson County, number 8 of 30 by distance. USGS notes: 35 ft. high; in Nantahala National Forest on an unnamed tributary of Wolf Creek, 2.85 mi. W of Pinhook Gap
- Address
- Jackson County, NC (GPS 35.2633, -82.9722)
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Lower Vernal Falls
Lower Vernal Falls lies 12 miles east of Cullowhee in Jackson County, number 9 of 30 by distance. USGS notes: 80 ft. high; in Nantahala National Forest on an unnamed tributary of Wolf Creek, 2.8 mi. W of Pinhook Gap
- Address
- Jackson County, NC (GPS 35.2628, -82.9711)
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Soco Falls
Soco Falls lies 12 miles north of Cullowhee in Jackson County, number 10 of 30 by distance. It ranks 4th for review count among waterfalls near Cullowhee. Its own nearest town is Maggie Valley.
- Rating
- 4.8 (65 Google reviews)
- Address
- Jackson County, NC 28751 (GPS 35.4926, -83.1693)
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Dill Falls
Dill Falls lies 13 miles east of Cullowhee in Jackson County, number 11 of 30 by distance. It ranks 8th for review count among waterfalls near Cullowhee. Its own nearest town is Brevard.
- Rating
- 4.7 (31 Google reviews)
- Address
- Jackson County, NC 28783 (GPS 35.2840, -82.9435)
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Maidenhair Falls
Maidenhair Falls lies 14 miles southeast of Cullowhee in Jackson County, number 12 of 30 by distance.
- Address
- Jackson County, NC (GPS 35.1409, -83.0424)
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Schoolhouse Falls
Schoolhouse Falls lies 14 miles southeast of Cullowhee in Jackson County, number 13 of 30 by distance.
- Address
- Jackson County, NC (GPS 35.1632, -83.0065)
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Twin Falls
Twin Falls lies 14 miles southeast of Cullowhee in Jackson County, number 14 of 30 by distance.
- Address
- Jackson County, NC (GPS 35.1393, -83.0435)
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Fairfield Falls
Fairfield Falls lies 15 miles southeast of Cullowhee in Jackson County, number 15 of 30 by distance.
- Address
- Jackson County, NC (GPS 35.1345, -83.0421)
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Cullasaja Falls
Cullasaja Falls lies 15 miles south of Cullowhee in Macon County, number 16 of 30 by distance. It ranks 3rd for review count among waterfalls near Cullowhee. National forest waterfall cascading through a gorge from 250 ft., with a roadside viewpoint & trail.
- Rating
- 4.7 (170 Google reviews)
- Address
- Macon County, NC 28741 (GPS 35.1170, -83.2700)
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Dismal Falls
Dismal Falls lies 15 miles southeast of Cullowhee in Transylvania County, number 17 of 30 by distance. It ranks 13th for review count among waterfalls near Cullowhee. Its own nearest town is Brevard.
- Rating
- 4.8 (10 Google reviews)
- Address
- Transylvania County, NC 28747 (GPS 35.1823, -82.9729)
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Mingo Falls
Mingo Falls lies 16 miles north of Cullowhee in Swain County, number 18 of 30 by distance. It ranks 5th for review count among waterfalls near Cullowhee. Its own nearest town is Cherokee.
- Rating
- 4.9 (49 Google reviews)
- Address
- Swain County, NC 28719 (GPS 35.5320, -83.2746)
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Quarry Falls
Quarry Falls lies 16 miles south of Cullowhee in Macon County, number 19 of 30 by distance. It ranks 11th for review count among waterfalls near Cullowhee. Its own nearest town is Franklin.
- Rating
- 4.5 (14 Google reviews)
- Address
- Macon County, NC 28741 (GPS 35.0926, -83.2673)
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Courthouse Falls
Courthouse Falls lies 16 miles east of Cullowhee in Transylvania County, number 20 of 30 by distance. It ranks 7th for review count among waterfalls near Cullowhee. Its own nearest town is Brevard.
- Rating
- 4.7 (38 Google reviews)
- Address
- Transylvania County, NC 28708 (GPS 35.2715, -82.8940)
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Flat Creek Falls
Flat Creek Falls lies 16 miles north of Cullowhee in Swain County, number 21 of 30 by distance. It ranks 14th for review count among waterfalls near Cullowhee. Its own nearest town is Maggie Valley.
- Rating
- 3.8 (8 Google reviews)
- Address
- Swain County, NC 28719 (GPS 35.5495, -83.1721)
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Highlands Falls
Highlands Falls lies 17 miles south of Cullowhee in Macon County, number 22 of 30 by distance. It ranks 17th for review count among waterfalls near Cullowhee. Its own nearest town is Franklin.
- Rating
- 3.7 (3 Google reviews)
- Address
- Macon County, NC 28741 (GPS 35.0703, -83.1742)
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Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls lies 17 miles south of Cullowhee in Macon County, number 23 of 30 by distance. It ranks 2nd for review count among waterfalls near Cullowhee. Scenic cascade with a walking path under the rocks that offers a reverse view of the waterfall.
- Rating
- 4.6 (407 Google reviews)
- Address
- Macon County, NC 28741 (GPS 35.0718, -83.2295)
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Little Creek Falls
Little Creek Falls lies 17 miles northwest of Cullowhee in Swain County, number 24 of 30 by distance. Its own nearest town is Cherokee.
- Address
- Swain County, NC (GPS 35.5062, -83.3724)
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Dry Falls
Dry Falls lies 17 miles south of Cullowhee in Macon County, number 25 of 30 by distance. It draws more Google reviews than any other waterfall near Cullowhee. Picturesque cascade with a path under the rocks that offers a unique, reverse view of the waterfall.
- Rating
- 4.9 (1,145 Google reviews)
- Address
- Macon County, NC 28741 (GPS 35.0685, -83.2390)
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Upper Falls
Upper Falls lies 17 miles east of Cullowhee in Haywood County, number 26 of 30 by distance. Its own nearest town is Brevard.
- Address
- Haywood County, NC (GPS 35.3182, -82.8674)
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Second Falls
Second Falls lies 19 miles east of Cullowhee in Haywood County, number 27 of 30 by distance. It ranks 12th for review count among waterfalls near Cullowhee. Its own nearest town is Brevard.
- Rating
- 4.9 (13 Google reviews)
- Address
- Haywood County, NC 28716 (GPS 35.3218, -82.8451)
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Bird Rock Falls
Bird Rock Falls lies 19 miles east of Cullowhee in Transylvania County, number 28 of 30 by distance. It ranks 6th for review count among waterfalls near Cullowhee. Its own nearest town is Brevard.
- Rating
- 4.8 (44 Google reviews)
- Address
- Transylvania County, NC 28708 (GPS 35.2215, -82.8610)
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Yellowstone Falls
Yellowstone Falls lies 19 miles east of Cullowhee in Haywood County, number 29 of 30 by distance. It ranks 16th for review count among waterfalls near Cullowhee. Its own nearest town is Brevard.
- Rating
- 5.0 (5 Google reviews)
- Address
- Haywood County, NC 28716 (GPS 35.3237, -82.8410)
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Toxaway Falls
Toxaway Falls lies 19 miles southeast of Cullowhee in Transylvania County, number 30 of 30 by distance. It ranks 9th for review count among waterfalls near Cullowhee. Its own nearest town is Brevard.
- Rating
- 3.7 (28 Google reviews)
- Address
- Transylvania County, NC 28747 (GPS 35.1234, -82.9307)
Where the Waterfalls Are
Cullowhee sits in or near the Nantahala Mountains and Cullasaja Gorge area of North Carolina. The southwestern mountains are steep, heavily forested and among the rainiest parts of North Carolina. In Macon County, the Cullasaja River descends through a narrow gorge on its way from Highlands toward Franklin, passing Bridal Veil Falls and Dry Falls, both of which allow visitors to walk behind the water, and the long roadside drop of Cullasaja Falls. Jackson County, around Cashiers and Cullowhee, holds many falls on the upper Tuckasegee and nearby escarpment streams. Graham County falls near Robbinsville lie deep in the Nantahala National Forest, while Swain and Haywood counties include falls on the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains. Read the North Carolina waterfall guide.
By direction from Cullowhee: 19 to the east, 18 to the south, 15 to the southeast, 5 to the north, 4 to the northwest, 2 to the southwest, 2 to the west, and 1 to the northeast. They are spread across Transylvania County (19), Jackson County (16), Macon County (10), Rabun County (6), Haywood County (4), and Sevier County (4). The average distance is 19.7 miles.
By Distance
Within 10 miles of Cullowhee
Betsy Falls (7.1 mi), Thurston Hatcher Falls (7.5 mi), Onion Cliff Falls (7.5 mi), High Falls (7.7 mi), Onion Falls (8.1 mi)
10 to 20 miles of Cullowhee
Slatten Falls (10 mi), Woodfin Falls (10 mi), Upper Vernal Falls (12 mi), Lower Vernal Falls (12 mi), Soco Falls (12 mi), Dill Falls (13 mi), Maidenhair Falls (14 mi), Schoolhouse Falls (14 mi), Twin Falls (14 mi), Fairfield Falls (15 mi), Cullasaja Falls (15 mi), Dismal Falls (15 mi), Mingo Falls (16 mi), Quarry Falls (16 mi), Courthouse Falls (16 mi), Flat Creek Falls (16 mi), Highlands Falls (17 mi), Bridal Veil Falls (17 mi), Little Creek Falls (17 mi), Dry Falls (17 mi), Upper Falls (17 mi), Second Falls (19 mi), Bird Rock Falls (19 mi), Yellowstone Falls (19 mi), Toxaway Falls (19 mi), Rainbow Falls (19 mi), Satulah Falls (20 mi), Burningtown Falls (20 mi), Glen Falls (20 mi)
20 to 30 miles of Cullowhee
Windy Falls (21 mi), Upper Falls (21 mi), Corbin Creek Falls (21 mi), Slick Rock Falls (21 mi), Catheys Creek Falls (22 mi), Sliding Rock (22 mi), Moore Cove Falls (22 mi), Lower Falls (23 mi), Looking Glass Falls (23 mi), Ammons Creek Falls (23 mi), Darnell Falls (23 mi), Whitewater Falls (23 mi), Holcomb Creek Falls (23 mi), Spoonauger Falls (24 mi), Estatoah Falls (24 mi), Kings Creek Falls (24 mi), Mud Creek Falls (24 mi), Berties Falls (25 mi), Big Bend Falls (25 mi), High Falls (25 mi), Wilson Falls (26 mi), Laughing Falls (27 mi), Connestee Falls (27 mi), Queens Falls (27 mi), Glencannon Falls (28 mi), Maidenhair Falls (28 mi), Ramsey Cascades (28 mi), Reedy Cove Falls (29 mi), Rainbow Falls (29 mi), Shady Falls (29 mi), Mouse Creek Falls (29 mi), Grotto Falls (29 mi)
Nearby Towns With Waterfalls
Waterfalls Near Cullowhee: FAQs
How many waterfalls are near Cullowhee, NC?
66 named waterfalls lie within 30 miles of Cullowhee: 5 within 10 miles, 29 10 to 20 miles, 32 20 to 30 miles. Distances are straight-line from the town center.
What is the closest waterfall to Cullowhee?
Betsy Falls in Jackson County is the closest, about 7.1 miles south of Cullowhee.
What is the best-rated waterfall near Cullowhee?
Dry Falls has the highest Google rating among nearby falls with at least 10 reviews: 4.9 stars from 1,145 Google reviews.
Which counties are the waterfalls near Cullowhee in?
Transylvania County (19), Jackson County (16), Macon County (10), Rabun County (6), and Haywood County (4).
How does Cullowhee compare with other North Carolina towns?
Cullowhee ranks 1st of the 31 North Carolina towns in our directory for the number of waterfalls within 30 miles.