I found other reviews a bit confusing when it comes to the trail & directions. Very steep coming back but easy going down. Upper Whitewater Falls, near Cashiers, drops over 411 feet and is the highest falls east of the Rocky Mountains. Distance: 1.9 miles (in and out trail, total 3.8 miles) Difficulty: moderate. Particularly Special Place. Lower Whitewater Falls. The falls is quite impressive but your view is from a distance and you can only see a portion of the 200 foot waterfall. Stairs are steep and wet going down to the viewing platform but never felt unsafe. From there you can go back up the stairs, past the viewpoints, and back on the paved path to the parking lot. 6.) From the parking area, a moderate hike of 45 minutes to an hour will get you to an overlook where you’ll find an unparalleled view of Lower Whitewater Falls. Add a Symbol . Barely a mile. This easy 0.6 mile-round trip will reward you with a spectacular view of the highest waterfall in the Eastern United States. HIGHLIGHTS: Whitewater Falls, also called Upper Falls, is one of the highest falls east of the Rockies at 411 feet.This waterfall is designated a North Carolina Natural Heritage Area and it is accessible via a short 0.2 paved path off NC 281. Great trail, challenging incline, perfect for short hike. You have to hike to bridge. If the bridge is as far as you plan to go, leave you pack in the car. Whitewater Falls on the Whitewater River is the last river in the Jocassee Gorge area just before you reach South Carolina. Once you cross the Whitewater River the trail dissects a few directions and the trail that takes you to the viewing platform is somewhat dull with no points of interest until you reach the viewing platform. 11-26-17 Lower Whitewater Falls is about 2 miles down river from North Carolina's 411' Whitewater Falls.Starting at Whitewater Falls, you could hike to both via the Foothills Trail and spur trails, but that's not the easiest way to see Lower Whitewater Falls. Whitewater Falls Trail. Even the steps were nice and even again, easy. Take Highway 64 East to Cashiers, turn right onto Highway 107 South for 9.3 miles. Right along the North Carolina-South Carolina state line, lies one of the highest waterfalls (811 feet) east of the Rockies – Whitewater Falls. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Create Recommended Route or Trail . Whitewater Falls.#forza #forzahorizon4 #jeep #trailcat #streetracing Both the upper and lower falls feature scenic overlooks that can be accessed by car. Follow the trail over the rocks. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Would definitely do again. The Whitewater River features two large cascades as it flows from the mountains of North Carolina into Lake Jocassee. From the lower observation deck, there is a trailhead to spur trail that takes you down to the Foothills Trail, which provides access to Whitewater River, and there is an unofficial trail that will take you to the base of Whitewater Falls. Upper Whitewater Falls was definitely a waterfall that left a lasting impression on us. A blue blaze and an arrow sign on the right point the way. Flag Inappropriate Post ... Lower Whitewater Falls Trail Signs says there are no views of the falls, but the trail takes you to gorgeous short falls area. The upper falls plummet 411 feet. Parts are muddy if recently rained. Was beautiful as always but a little crowded. Height: 411 feet Trail Type: Asphalt and stairs Hike Distance: 0.5 miles round trip Difficulty: 8 if you take the stairs Beauty: 8 Overview: Whitewater Falls has been given the distinction of being the tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi River, although Crabtree Falls in Virginia and Fall Creek Falls in Tennessee also make the same claim. Lower Whitewater Falls. The Upper Falls plummets 411 ft. and is 60 miles from downtown Asheville in the Nantahala National Forest.It's on the Whitewater River in the Jocassee Gorge area of North Carolina - in Jackson County.The 400-ft. Lower Falls can be accessed from a different location in South Carolina. See 65 photos and 5 tips from 349 visitors to Whitewater Falls. Experience a first-hand lesson in the raw power and peril of the Niagara River’s Class 6 white-water rapids. At the Whitewater Falls sign, turn left to SC 130. This trail is not considered wheelchair or stroller friendly due to the steep sections with a grade of up to 20%. The second being the one down to (and back up from) the Lower Whitewater Falls overlook. Once you hit the stairs to the foothills trail though, it becomes an easy moderate. Located just 1.5 miles from the beautiful Whitewater Falls; a stunning waterfall with an elevation of 414ft. The Foothills Trail is a 76-mile (122 km) National Recreation Trail in South and North Carolina, United States, for recreational hiking and backpacking.It extends from Table Rock State Park to Oconee State Park.It passes through the Andrew Pickens Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest, Ellicott Rock Wilderness, Whitewater Falls, and Lake Jocassee. The two viewing decks mentioned above are the two “official” locations for viewing the 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. Beautiful waterfall. Easy paved walkway to semi-tree obstructed view that’s still good and stairs to lower platform with view of entire falls. Make another left and drive north on SR 130 (SC), which becomes SR 281 (NC) at the state line. © 2021 South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. 5.) Foothills Trail Conference | P.O. The Lower Whitewater Falls comprises a dramatic 200-foot drop. Partially-paved trail to an overlook of the Falls then on to Whitewater River. All paved. 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. Fee: $3 for vehicles with seven passengers or less; $1 per person for more than seven people traveling together in a vehicle. From Walhalla, drive north on SC 11 (Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway) for 14 miles and turn left onto SC 130. North Carolina Div. This is a … The Lower Falls is located about a half-mile down the Whitewater River from the Upper Falls (which is in North Carolina). Directions from Cashiers, NC: Travel south on SR 107 9.3 miles to SR 413 (SC) and a sign for Whitewater Falls. It crosses back into North Carolina. Dogs are also able to use this trail … Turning left on the Foothills Trail is the route to Upper Whitewater Falls - continuing forward is the route to Lower Whitewater Falls. The Lower Falls is a dramatic 200-foot drop, which can best be viewed from an observation platform at the end of a 1.9-mile trail. An out-and-back to view the less-visited Lower Whitewater Falls; part of the tallest chain of falls in the eastern U.S. Near Walhalla, South Carolina. Duke Energy | P.O. The Lower Falls is a dramatic 200-foot drop, which can best be viewed from an observation platform at the end of a 1.9-mile trail. Upper Whitewater Falls is on the NC side of the border and the Lower Whitewater Falls is on the SC side. Schedule a … Read more. I went to Lower Whitewater Falls first, because I wanted to see it in more daylight, but generally, it is better to go to Upper Whitewater Falls first, because it's harder to reach it. Hike the Whitewater Falls Trail near Cashiers, NC to the stunning, tumbling cascades of a towering waterfall on this short, easy, family-friendly trail. The roar of the river provides a deceptive tranquility, the perfect ambiance for your walk among the many viewing platforms that put you right at the river’s edge. "The signage states .50 miles to the observation deck, but it’s only .27 miles..." Trail in Cashiers, NC For those looking for an up-close and personal view of nature’s power, you will not want to miss this. Whitewater Falls to Whitewater River Trail is a 2.7 kilometer moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Sapphire, North Carolina that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. The trail does join a small gravel road for a brief period but the blazes and signs clearly indicate when to separate from the road where you will ascend a little more before you level off and then descend down to the large and well constructed wooden overlook that provides beautiful views of lower whitewater falls. You'll see them soon, along with a metal footbridge over the river. Share a Video . Whitewater Falls: the hike. Good hike! It's a beautiful spot. Lower Whitewater Falls is a smaller version of its bigger brother the Upper Whitewater Falls further upstream and across the state border.. That said, it was still 200ft tall as the waterfall cascades and plunges in a similar manner to its bigger brother. Very easy paved hike! Exiting the property through this gate is allowed at all hours. I would call this moderate as there are parts that are steep. The trail to the right, not easy. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Taking other people's content (text, photos, etc) without permission is a copyright violation and NOT OKAY! Drive approximately 2 miles to the parking area for the Foothills Trail/Whitewater River. Other reviews say that, instead, you can follow the trail that goes to 281 to get back to the parking lot, but the images on GPS seemed to show that trail going out to the main road (281), not to the Whitewater Falls parking lot. Whitewater Falls is the highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains, and it's shared between South Carolina and North Carolina. The fully accessible portion to the Falls Overlook can be viewed here: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/north-carolina/whitewater-falls-overlook-trail The trail ride is approximately 4 miles. Upper Whitewater Falls Trail is a 1.3 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Sapphire, North Carolina that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. Absolutely stunning views of the North Carolina South Carolina border in the gorges park, Easy gradual uphill walk to the overlook. The 400-foot lower falls can be accessed from a different location in South Carolina. Strollers are possible on this well paved path. At 0.6 mile the spur will cross over the Whitewater River. If you want to hike to a couple of short falls with shallow pools where you can swim, then take the path that goes to the right of the lower platform. Of Travel and Tourism, 301 N. Wilmington Street , Raleigh, NC, 27601, Phone: 919-733-4171. Lower falls accessible by trail down from the platform. To get back to your car, retrace your steps up the trail to the place where you originally went left on the Foothills Trail. The trail was in great shape today. Box 1006, Charlotte, NC 28201 | 1-. The trail is 3 1/2 mils long from Test Road to Thistlethwaite Falls. Whitewater Falls Overlook is a 531 m green singletrack trail located near Brevard North Carolina. We were in the area on 2/22/2020 and stopped for a short visit to the falls. The walkway begins at a parking lot and is accessible to wheelchairs. There is net ascent of about 800 feet (200 m). Annual pass available for $15; One-day or season permits are also valid at Whiteside Mountain and at Dry Falls. Perfect for small kids and elderly. After 0.3 miles, the trail heads down toward a river crossing with a couple bridges across Whitewater River. The Lower Falls is located about a half-mile down the Whitewater River from the Upper Falls (which is in North Carolina). Drive north on SC 130 for 10.5 miles and turn right (east) at the entrance to Duke Power's Bad Creek Hydroelectric Station. (If you are coming from Toxaway (easterly direction), start at US 64 and SR 281 and drive south 8.6 miles to the Whitewater Falls parking area. So the .5 paved walk to the falls is easy. The hardest part of the trail is the ascent from the Whitewater River up to the Upper Whitewater Falls viewing platform. View of the falls is spectacular! At this point the spur is concurrent with  the Jocassee Gorges Segment of the Foothills Trail bound for Laurel Valley. When the trail intersects a gravel road, follow the gravel road briefly (about 200 yards) and then resume your hike on the trail. The hike departs the trailhead and parking area off NC 281 (view maps and driving directions), following the paved Foothills Trail northbound from the picnic area.Views open immediately to the east from the trailhead, where the rounded, rolling southern Appalachian mountains stretch far into the horizon. There are 9 bridges on the trail and 8 sets of stairs. Racing in a 2017 Jeep Trail Cat. Take on a longer and more difficult hike than the larger Upper Whitewater Falls just to the north and instead enjoy a tranquil river crossing and some quiet solitude on the trail to this classic South Carolina waterfall. Turn right (northeast). Tough with my toddler on my back and slippery leaves. Some sources say it's the highest falls east of the Mississippi River at 411', but I'm not so sure. You see the entire waterfall from a distance. Easy hike down to the valley floor where the river is and bridge to cross it. New Single-Family Homes and Main-Level Owner's Suite Homes in Whitewater Trails for Sale Starting from the Mid $200s. Beautiful though. Not flat it is marked. Whitewater Falls. Some technical sections with rocks and roots. To experience these breathtaking falls up-close-and-personal, take the paved ¼ mile walkway to the upper overlook. WHITEWATER FALLS DIRECTIONS Bad Creek Access to Upper Whitewater Falls is a 2.3-mile section of the trail. Whitewater Falls is the highest waterfall east of the Rockies, falling 811 ft.! Upon our return, I noticed that at several vacant parking spaces, there appeared to be evidence of …