Hi everyone, welcome back to another travel post from my road trip through the Appalachian Mountains of the United States. This time, I will take you to a nice little waterfall called the Dry Falls, nestled in the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina. I am pleased to say that this will be a new addition to the Worldmappin map, and I hope this little post of mine can do the place some justice.
Getting to these falls is an adventure in itself, as the roads in this area are winding and steep, with sharp curves and no guardrails to give any illusion of safety. The treacherous nature of the roads do, however, force you to drive slower, and appreciate the cool mountain breeze, and fresh forest air. The heavy forest and high elevation make the air quite a bit cooler than the rest of the state, but this makes for a refreshing experience that helps to keep you alert for sudden switchbacks in the road. If you did happen to have an unfortunate tumble off one of the many steep cliffs, I wonder how long before help might arrive, as there is no internet reception in much of this area.
Once you officially enter into Nantahala National Forest, the road will level out a bit more, and steep drop-offs will be replaced by rushing rivers. Dry Falls is probably one of the most popular destinations in the park, but to be honest, there is quite a bit of beauty to be discovered just off the side of the road. One such example was this nice rocky river bed where I took a little time to relax at about 10 minutes down the road from the falls.
When you reach the Dry Falls, there will be a simple little parking lot to pull into, complete with garbage cans, informational signs, and of course some smelly toilets haha
Luckily, there are also some nice-smelling wildflowers around to mask the toilet smells haha
Getting to the falls is actually quite easy, as it is not far from the parking lot. You just need to go down some stairs and follow a short winding trail for about half a kilometer or so. The rail is well-maintained and easy to follow, moving in a U-shape, taking you around the backside of the falls.
There is something simple and amazing about the backside of water that always makes for a surreal experience whenever I get to witness it.
Due to the close proximity of the trail to the waterfall, it can cause some puddles to form and nearby rocks to get quite slippery, so it would be best to watch your step.
The trail is mostly shaded, with cool and misty air that made for a bit of a chilling experience for the underdressed. I found myself wishing I had worn a flannel or sweater here, but luckily, there was a nice sunny bit at the end of the trail where one could sit down and soak up some sun.
The trail just ends at the end of the U-shape, and you follow the path back to where you parked your car.
I hope you enjoyed reading about my trip to Dry Falls, in the lovely US state of North Carolina, deep in the heart of Appalachia.
All photos are my own. Have a great day! :)