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With over 250 waterfalls in Transylvania County, nature lovers have a lot of great outdoor adventure options to explore when visiting the Brevard, North Carolina area. Check out our guide to some of our favorite waterfalls of Transylvania County. NORTH CAROLINA WATERFALLS GUIDE The mountains of North Carolina are blessed with an abundance of water and, in turn, a high concentration of beautiful waterfalls. With around 500 North Carolina waterfalls spread through the region, those in search of a tumbling cascade should certainly have no trouble finding one. But to make it easier for you to find what we consider some of the best of the best when it comes to North Carolina Waterfalls, we’ve compiled our list of the top cascades to visit in western North Carolina.    waterfalls  WATERFALLS OF TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY COURTHOUSE FALLS The 60-foot-tall Courthouse Falls has been drawing crowds deep into the Pisgah National Forest for years. The waterfall is part of Courthouse Creek, which flows through the Pisgah National Forest near the Devil’s Courthouse, which was long considered a sacred area of the Cherokee Indians who inhabited the region for centuries. The tall, slender waterfall pours through a narrow chute into a natural amphitheater of bedrock that makes for a nice swimming area during the warmer months of the year. The falls are accessible by hiking a short trail that is moderate difficult. But getting to the trailhead is the real challenge. To reach the falls, either go down NC Highway 215 for 6.5 miles south from the Blue Ridge Parkway and turn left onto Forest Road 140 (Courthouse Creek Road). Go 3 miles down the road and park on the right just after crossing the bridge over Courthouse Creek. Follow the marked trail for .36 miles to the falls, which will be on the left.  HOOKER FALLS Hooker Falls is located in DuPont State Recreational Forest near Brevard, North Carolina At 15 feet tall, Hooker Falls isn’t one of the tallest of the many North Carolina waterfalls, but it is one of the most popular and highly-visited falls in the entire state. Hooker Falls has been known for years to local residents and was named for Edmund Hooker, who operated a mill below the falls in the late 1800s. At the time, it was named Mill Shoals Falls. In recent years, visitors have flocked to the falls during summer months to swim in Cascade Lake at the base of the falls. While jumping from the falls is illegal, occasionally daring visitors can be seen leaping from the center of the waterfall into a small, deep pool below. The waterfall also gained notoriety for its role in a scene in the movie Last of the Mohicans when the characters run the waterfall in canoes. As a kayaking destination, the waterfall is the final drop in a series of steep waterfalls and slides along the Little River renown as a top whitewater paddling river when water levels rise following heavy rains. Visitors may park at the Hooker Falls parking area, and then hike the short Hooker Falls Trail for roughly 1/4 mile. There are two views of the falls, the first overlooking the falls from above, and a second view from across the plunge pool that lets you view the entire falls. DuPont State Forest may also allow access to the falls to handicapped persons. Contact the DuPont State Forest for more information. SLIDING ROCK One of western North Carolina’s most popular attractions is the 60-foot-long Sliding Rock in Pisgah National Forest. Thousands of visitors each week take a trip down the smooth rock slide on Looking Glass Creek before they take the final plunge into a large, deep pool at the bottom. For years, visitors to Brevard and Pisgah National Forest have cooled off by taking a dip in the cool water of the natural rock water slide. In recent years, the area was developed by the US Forest Service into a popular recreation area. Parking is available in a large lot above the rock and beside U.S. Highway 276. There are two viewing platforms, steps down to the pool and railings to help climb the rocks on the left side before sliding down. A restroom and changing room is provided and a lifeguard is periodically on duty especially during summer weekends. At other times, sliding down the waterfall is done at a visitor’s own risk. Children must be of a certain size to slide alone, otherwise, they may slide in the lap of an adult. A $1.00 per person fee is charged by the Forest Service to use the area between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, when lifeguards and rangers are on duty. The rock is closed to sliders during times of high water or when lightning is detected in the area. To get to the recreation area and the falls, travel north from the intersection of U.S. Highway 276, approximately 7.7 miles north of the intersection of 276, U.S. Highway 64, and NC Highway 280 in Brevard, North Carolina. En route, you will pass Looking Glass Falls and the parking area for Moore Cove Falls. LOOKING GLASS FALLS One of the most popular and highly visited waterfalls in North Carolina, Looking Glass Falls, which takes its name from nearby Looking Glass Rock, is an 80 foot tall cascade located only a few hundred feet from U.S. 276. Looking Glass Falls are open year round, free of charge, just minutes from Brevard, North Carolina. With its ease of access thanks to the roadside location, the waterfall is very popular and often draws large crowds during summer months. As a result, there are frequently injuries and even deaths at the 80-foot-tall waterfall. As with any waterfall, visitors should use the utmost caution when approaching the river due to slick, moss-covered rocks. The waterfall has been successfully kayaked on several occasions.   GRAVEYARD FIELDS Graveyard Fields is home to three beautiful cascades located in one of the most scenic sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The high elevation balds of Shining Rock Wilderness area make for unique vistas unlike anything else in the Southern Highlands region. The 60-foot-tall Second Falls can be seen from the Blue Ridge Parkway near the Graveyard Fields Overlook, but visitors should opt to take a closer look by taking the short hike from the Graveyard Fields parking area down to the overlook. Along the way, hikers will cross Yellowstone Prong before ambling down a set of stairs to the viewing area. Upstream of Second Falls is First Falls, which can be accessed by a roughly 7-mile-long round trip hike. The access area for both waterfalls is located between Mileposts 418 and 419 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.   RAINBOW FALLS Rainbow Falls is a waterfall in Western North Carolina, located near Brevard. The falls is located on the Horsepasture River. It is on Pisgah National Forest land just outside Gorges State Park. According to wikipedia.com, a proposal to route the flow of the river around the falls in the mid 1980′s for a hydroelectric power plant was thwarted by public opposition. On October 27, 1986, the Horsepasture River was designated a national Wild and Scenic River, protecting the falls from future development. The rock face over which the river flows is not vertical, but the large volume of water during normal river flows cause it to leap many feet out from the rock and a deep plunge pool lies at the bottom of the falls. It creates large amounts of wind and mist that race up the hillside opposite the falls. If the sun is in the right position, a rainbow is easily observed here, giving the falls its name. As of 2011, there is a new 3.0 mile round trip trail to Rainbow Falls through Gorges State Park. From the parking lot, follow the trail for 5 minutes, bearing right at the intersection. 20 minutes further, the trail enters the Nantahala National Forest, with a side trail to the left that heads to Stairway Falls. Bearing right takes you to Rainbow Falls in about 20 more minutes. Hikers can then go further up the trail to Turtleback Falls. Prior to the opening of the park, the only path to the falls was through an unofficial trail on National Forest property. TURTLE BACK FALLS Turtleback Falls, also called Umbrella Falls, is a waterfall in Western North Carolina, located near Brevard. The falls is located on the Horsepasture River in the Nantahala National Forest land just outside Gorges State Park. The falls has a large, deep pool at the bottom commonly known as the “Chug Hole”. The river flows over a large, sloping slab of rock before curving steeper and finally dropping into the pool. The appearance of the rock, similar to a turtle’s shell, gives the falls its name. To access the falls, take a short hike starting in Gorges State Park before passing through Pisgah National Forest property into the Nantahala National Forest. The 20-minute-long hike takes visitors to Rainbow Falls before heading further upstream to reach Turtle Back Falls. The area is a popular place for swimming and people frequently slide over the falls into the Chug Hole during low water; however, the currents can be dangerous in higher flows and people have drowned at Turtleback, or have been swept downriver and over 125′ Rainbow Falls. HIGH FALLS OF DUPONT High Falls is located in Transylvania County on the Little River through the DuPont State Forest. It is one of four major waterfalls on the Little River in this area, the others being Triple Falls, Hooker Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. Above the falls itself, the river is level and calm. The falls consists of a wide, ever-steepening slide over granite, and the water generally stays on the rock the whole way down. In some places, the water free-falls for a few feet or jumps off the rock face, but it is not possible to get behind the falls anywhere. High Falls has been known for years to local residents. In the 1990s, DuPont Forest was sold to the State of North Carolina, and as DuPont has completed cleanup of various areas, those areas have been made open to the public as a part of the 10,000+ acre DuPont State Forest. Visitors may park at the Hooker Falls parking area, and then hike the Triple Falls / High Falls Trail for roughly 1 mile (past the view for Triple Falls). Alternately, the High Falls Parking Area offers visitors a chance to access the falls through a scenic trail near the Visitors Center. The High Falls Trail takes visitors to a pavilion with a view of the falls from above, before hikers can head down the stairs to the base of the falls for a closer look.

When it comes to outdoor recreation in the Brevard area, there are few things more enticing than going to explore one of the many beautiful waterfalls found in the region. In fact, I can’t think of anywhere where there are more amazing waterfalls in close proximity than in DuPont State Recreational Forest. The property that is now DuPont State Recreational Forest used to be the recreation area for the employees of the now-closed DuPont manufacturing plant.  DuPont was once the largest employer in the County, and offered wonderful benefits to its employees, including the recreation area that is now DuPont State Recreational Forest.  The benefits included stocked fishing waters, hunting, and camping at both wilderness sites and at the covered sheds that remain on the current forest property.  After the manufacturing plant closed, this property was slated for development – before thankfully being acquired as public lands. Now, both tourists and locals flock to the abundant waterfalls of DuPont.  One favorite excursion is the trifecta of Triple Falls, High Falls, and Hooker Falls – which can all be easily accessed in one outing on trails from the Hooker Falls parking lot.  Starting out towards Triple Falls, it’s barely a mile before you’ll be graced with the views of the three tiered falls.  Triple Falls has been the backdrop for scenes in The Hunger Games and the Last of the Mohicans. Continuing on along the old road bed/trail it’s about another 3/4 mile till you reach the bottom of the 150’ cascade of High Falls.  Once you soak up a little spray, make the return trip – back the way you came.  If you want to catch some rays, take a little dip in the river, or picnic on the rocks, then once you pass Triple Falls again and make it to the bottom of the hill, look for the trail that cuts back to the right following the river along the rocks. To access the third waterfall, head on back towards the parking lot, and when you cross the bridge that leads to the lot, take a left and wander the less than 1/2 mile to Hooker Falls.  During the summer, this area is a hotspot for swimming, picnics, and fishing. While it’s a little further to make the trek into High Falls, both Triple Falls and Hooker Falls are very easily accessible, making them perfect for smaller kids, older adults, or those that aren’t as comfortable hiking. Other waterfalls within DuPont require a little more trail mileage, and accessed from different parking lots.  Bridal Veil Falls is was another location used for filming The Hunger Games and Last of the Mohicans, and it has several different starting point options – from either the Fawn Lake or Buck Forest parking lots.  Grassy Creek Falls also begins at the Buck Forest parking lot, and Wintergreen Falls starts from the Guion Farm parking area. Exploring the waterfalls of DuPont As with visiting any waterfalls, please remember to avoid climbing any of the falls, and to stay away from the tops of the falls – both for people and for dogs.  The best views are always from the bottom of the waterfalls. For more information on DuPont State Recreational Forest, including maps and contact information, please visit http://ncforestservice.gov/contacts/dsf.htm.       written by Allison Taylor of Skillful Solutions

An increasingly busy summer season at Sutton Knob has led the developers of the 94-acre real estate development to move up their plans to build the third rental cottage at the outdoor-oriented rental and real estate development in Pisgah Forest. The two rental cottages currently in operation at Sutton Knob have been booked at nearly full occupancy throughout the summer. As a result, Dan and Mary Kay Schuessler, Sutton Knob’s developers, have decided to break ground on a three bedroom cottage to be built by GoingGreen Builders on Cedardale Lane with the goal of having it completed and ready for rentals beginning in spring and summer of 2016. The home will be decorated by Dee Ann Allen, owner of Decorating by Dee Ann. The third cottage will also be managed by Deer Ridge Property Management, which has been handling all rental bookings and marketing from the beginning. “We are very pleased that our first two cottages have had high occupancy this year,” Dan Schuessler said. “We are very excited that guests have enjoyed the onsite trails and ponds with some saying they never turned on their TV during their stay.  That is the experience we wanted to create, the ‘escape from reality’ through the ultimate mountain adventure that Transylvania County offers.” In addition to the busy rental season at Sutton Knob, real estate sales have exceeded expectations as Sutton Knob has consistently been one of the most active developments in home sales in Transylvania County for 2015 with a total of five lots currently sold and one pending. “What has surprised us the most is (Stephen) Billy Harris of Portfolio Properties (Steve Owen & Associates) selling five home lots this year to buyers from Hawaii, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina,” Schuessler said. “We never expected to have this response on lot sales, but the views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and trails have been a key selling point. All of our buyers have some passion for the outdoors including hiking and cycling. It is great to be able to provide a community to build their mountain retreat and be located in the middle of all the outdoor adventures that our county offers as well as 15 minutes from downtown Brevard.” Since purchasing the property in December 2013 the majority of infrastructure work and most of the amenities at Sutton Knob are now complete. The Schuesslers credit the hard work of the Sutton Knob team for getting Sutton Knob to where it is today. “The quality of the work done by Jerry Brown Construction, Dee Ann Allen, Cantrell Construction, CMC Landscaping, and Going Green Builders has been outstanding and we would not be where we are today without their commitment to high quality and timely execution with all this taking place while I am working in Houston,” he added. “I have been blessed to work with a team I can trust and have confidence that our development will fit well within the county and help contribute to the economic growth that we need to grow construction and tourism. Due in large part to the success of the real estate at Sutton Knob and the rental program, the Schuesslers’ goal of building additional cottages will continue, while they also want to continue to evaluate other development opportunities in the county. “Our vision is to have 10 rental cottages by 2020 driven by the successful rental program through Deer Ridge Property Management,” Schuessler said. “We will also continue to add to the trail system and add other features in the development driven by lot owner and cottage guest feedback. “A dream for us someday would be to build tree house cottages somewhere in the county as that would provide another type of accommodation for tourists.  We also believe business needs to actively support the future growth and development of the Brevard Music Center driven by Mark Weinstein and his team.   As BMC prepares to celebrate their 70th anniversary, it is important we support BMC going forward to remain a leading summer music festival.   Right now, our focus is Sutton Knob but it is fun to think about future ideas to help further grow tourism in the county.” In an effort to help support continued growth and development in the county, the Schuesslers have donated $1,000 for every lot sold to the United Way of Transylvania County. “We plan to continue to reinvest our lot sale proceeds into the county,” he said. “When we started this project, we committed to invest exclusively in Transylvania County and we remain committed to that objective to help create more jobs in the county. There are many people in our community who have no other choice but to work outside of the county given limited job opportunities.  Being able to be a small part of providing job opportunities in the community is what we are about.  It is exciting to see the other developments in the county also supporting Transylvania County as the ultimate mountain vacation destination. “While we are currently only living in the county part of the year, we look forward to being permanent residents when we retire and plan to actively continue development in the county, volunteer in the community and enjoy the mountain experience full time!” For additional information on the development process and construction at Sutton Knob, please follow along with our frequent updates at our website, www.suttonknob.com and take a tour of some of the many amenities that can be found at Sutton Knob, as well as find driving directions to Sutton Knob. For information on real estate opportunities at Sutton Knob, please email billyharrisnc@gmail.com.

  One of the first things visitors often notice when walking the roads within Sutton Knob is the impressive job that has been done with soil fencing and erosion control.  Allison Taylor, owner of Skillful Solutions and frequent contributor to Sutton Knob’s website, was very impressed with  the quality of road construction at Sutton Knob during her first visits. “I happen to have a degree in Environmental Studies, so these are the types of things with new construction that stand out to me, and that are often skimped on,” Allison Taylor said. “Not everyone may understand the vital importance of soil fencing and erosion control, but it has a huge impact on our environment.  I immediately thought, ‘WOW!  This is awesome – who is responsible for it?'” Well, Matt Cantrell with Cantrell Construction is the man responsible for building the roads in Sutton Knob.  Allison recently caught up with Matt to ask him about his approach to building roads and infrastructure to learn more about his process. “We like building roads and infrastructure,” says Cantrell.  Cantrell Construction has been around in our community since 1976, and was started by Matt’s father, David Cantrell.  Matt was born and raised here, and joined the family-owned business full time in 1996.  Cantrell Construction is a Licensed Public Utilities Contractor and a Highway Contractor. “Our goals when building new projects are customer satisfaction, high quality work, lowest environmental impact, and using recycled products,” shares Cantrell.  Throughout the development process, and with the businesses chosen to work within Sutton Knob, environmental impact and “green” approaches are a common theme. In addition to building the roads in Sutton Knob, Cantrell Construction also has plans to clear housing sites.  “When clearing the land for roads and building sites, the brush and stumps are being recycled and used as mulch on the project,” Cantrell explains.  This is just another of the ways in which Sutton Knob is working to be respectful of the environment. When not busy with projects such as Sutton Knob, Cantrell enjoys spending time with his wife and four kids, restoring antique farm equipment, farming, and classic cars.  

Locals of Transylvania County know what an amazing asset the Transylvania Farmer’s Market is to our community, which is why the Opening Day for the season is such a big deal.  This Saturday, April 18th, from 8:00am to 12:00pm, the Market will be bustling with local vendors of produce, meats, crafts, and more – and there will be an Earth Day celebration too. This awesome Farmer’s Market includes a diverse group of vendors, who offer some fantastic locally grown and raised options.  There is locally raised beef, pork, chicken, turkey, fish, eggs (including duck and quail), and lamb for the carnivores.  In the produce department, there is an expansive variety of options including traditional veggies, berries, herbs, and mushrooms.  There are locally made goat cheeses, soaps, yarn, wool, baked goods, plants, jewelry, wood-crafted items, dog treats, cut flowers, jams and jellies, crafts, and many other goodies. Leslie Logemann, the Market Manager, has been diligently working to prepare for the opening.  “We are really excited about the 2015 season of the Transylvania Farmer’s Market. We’ve been working hard over the winter and we’ll be opening up with lots of the favorite vendors, and some great new vendors too – over 60 in total! In addition to Wild Indigo Catering, local favorites who offer amazing breakfast biscuits and burritos, we have two food trucks joining this year that will be adding even more delicious breakfast food to the mix,” enthuses Logemann.  The Oskar Blues CHUBwagon and the Chameleon Catering & Mobile Food trucks will be welcome additions to the breakfast offerings. The opening day will include a plant-a-seed station at the new Cooperative Extension Master Gardener’s booth – and they will be at the market every first and third Saturday to answer any gardening questions.  The Market will be working in collaboration with the Transylvania County Hunger Coalition to present a seed potato giveaway as well.  At the Market information booth, there will be free bags of seed potatoes, along with an opportunity to learn more about this joint program that will be running in 2015. “Be sure to stop by the market info booth also to draw for free market goodies and to sign up for the Best Beard Contest,” adds Logemann.  The beard contest will determine who grew the best winter beard, and prizes will be awarded in two categories: “Mountain Man” for the wild and wooly, and “Dapper Dan” for the stylish gentlemen. Sign ups are at the Market booth between 8:00am and 10:00 am, and judging and prizes will be awarded shortly thereafter. Starting at 9:00am, the trio of Crooked Pine will entertain market visitors with their traditional, original, and old time music.  “If you’re unable to make it this Saturday to enjoy the vendors and entertainment, then check out our other events planned this year in addition to our regular Saturday markets,” reminds Logemann.  “We’ll even have a walking group starting from the Market booth at 9:00am every Saturday morning, which will be a wonderful opportunity to meet others from the community while taking one of three walking route options through Downtown Brevard,” she adds. Other new additions this year will improve the aesthetics of the Market space and help with the comfort of Market visitors.  “The Market lot is getting a bit of a facelift this year, thanks to some amazing sponsors.  We have a fun new bike rack going in courtesy of Mlay Insurance and made by local sculptor J. Aaron Alderman, mulch has been added to beautify things was donated by 35 Degrees North Landscaping, and picnic tables have been added, courtesy of Transylvania County Farm Bureau,” says Logemann. For more information on the Transylvania Farmer’s Market, including their events calendar and a list of participating vendors, visit their website at www.transylvaniafarmersmarket.com