Cullasaja Falls

Cullasaja Falls is a waterfall in Nantahala National Forest that drops down a steep rocky wall with multiple tiers of granite. The water follows a long cascade over different stone steps before collecting in the area below.

The area was home to the Cherokee for centuries and part of their ancestral territories in the mountain regions of the Carolinas. Before European settlement, Cherokee communities regularly used and traveled through these forest lands and waterways.

The name comes from Cherokee language and refers to honey locust trees that grow in this region. The waterfall was long an important place for Cherokee communities who traveled through and used this area.

The waterfall can be seen from U.S. Route 64, where there is a small pull-off with just a few parking spots. It is wise to arrive early or visit outside peak times to find parking.

The waterfall extends over a remarkably long uninterrupted cascade, making it one of the longest continuous waterfall systems in the region. This extent is created by the unique geological formation of the stacked granite layers that allow water to drop in multiple stages.

Location: Macon County

Part of: Cullasaja River

GPS coordinates: 35.11640,-83.26953

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:40