Dry Falls

Dry Falls is a 75-foot waterfall in Nantahala National Forest that drops over a cliff and forms a natural archway overhead. The water flows in such a way that you can walk through directly beneath it and stay protected from the spray.

The area became part of Nantahala National Forest in the early 1900s through conservation efforts aimed at protecting the woodland. This protection has shaped how the land around the waterfall looks and functions today.

The name Nantahala comes from the Cherokee language, meaning the limited sunlight that filters into these deep valleys. Walking through the forest around the falls, you sense this connection to the land's original inhabitants.

The trailhead starts right from the parking area along US Route 64, with a short and easy path suitable for most visitors. Wear good shoes because the ground can be slippery near the water, especially after rain.

The waterfall conceals a rock cavity behind its flow where you can actually step and remain dry even during the fall. This rare formation is what makes visiting here different from most other waterfalls.