Cullasaja Gorge · US-64

The waterfall gorge between Franklin and Highlands, out and back: the route follows US-64 up the Cullasaja River gorge, a ledge cut into the rock above the water, past Cullasaja Falls, Dry Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, turns around in Highlands and comes back the same way. It's 39 miles. There are few places to pull over, and the Dry Falls and Bridal Veil lots fill up in fall. Don't continue south of Highlands on NC-28: it crosses into Georgia.

East of Franklin, US-64 climbs into the gorge of the Cullasaja River, about seven and a half miles of the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway, on a narrow ledge cut into the rock with the river far below. Cullasaja Falls can be seen from the road, but its pull-off is tiny and sits on a curve, so it's no place for a group. Farther up, Dry Falls has a Forest Service lot and a path that goes behind the water; it charges $3 per vehicle per day, and the lot fills at midday.

Just before Highlands, Bridal Veil Falls drops beside the road, with a small lot next to it. The route turns around in Highlands, where weekend traffic and parking are tight, and comes back down the same road. NCDOT closed US-64 in the gorge for almost a month after a slide in January 2024, and it closes the road from time to time for walls and fallen trees, so check DriveNC before you go. Don't continue south of Highlands on NC-28: it crosses into Georgia.