The Waterfall Byway: Brevard to Highlands and Franklin
US-64 through the Blue Ridge escarpment: Whitewater Falls, the cliffs of Whiteside Mountain, Highlands and the waterfalls of the Cullasaja Gorge.
- Distance
- 96 km (59 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 04 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 8
- States
- NC
- Updated
- June 27, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 96 km (59 mi) with 8 stops, from Brevard to Franklin. About 1 h 04 min of driving in total.
More road trips in North Carolina · More road trips from Brevard
Route description
US-64 between Brevard and Franklin is one of the richest roads for waterfalls in the Southeast. Brevard, known for its white squirrels, sits at the edge of Pisgah National Forest with several campgrounds nearby. Head west on US-64 through Rosman and Sapphire; after about 45 minutes turn south on NC-281 for Whitewater Falls, where a short paved path leads to an upper overlook and a long wooden staircase descends to a lower one.
Cashiers is a crossroads village at about 3,500 feet, and the drive from here to Highlands on US-64 is short but winding. Stop at the Whiteside Mountain trailhead, reached on a side road, for the 2-mile loop along the top of the cliffs, with views south over the edge of the Blue Ridge. The lot is small, so arrive early on autumn weekends and bring cash for the day-use fee.
Highlands, at just over 4,100 feet, is one of the highest towns in the eastern US, with a compact main street and cool summers. West of town US-64 drops into the Cullasaja Gorge. Bridal Veil Falls pours over the old road loop beside the highway, and Dry Falls, about a mile further, has a path behind the curtain of water. Farther down, Cullasaja Falls can be seen only from narrow pull-offs.
The descent through the gorge is narrow, with a rock wall on one side, a drop on the other and tight bends; it is tight for long RVs, so take it slowly and avoid it in ice or heavy rain. Franklin, at the end of the byway, is known for gem mining and has all services. The drive is about 110 km, but allow a full day with stops, and more in October when the leaves turn.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Brevard
NC - 241 km
Whitewater Falls
NatureSapphire, NCOne of the highest waterfalls in the East, seen from a paved overlook a short walk from the parking area just north of the South Carolina line.
- 314 km
Cashiers
NC - 47 km
Whiteside Mountain
ViewsCashiers, NCSheer granite cliffs up to 750 feet high, walked on a 2-mile loop trail from a Forest Service lot on a side road off US-64 between Cashiers and Highlands. Small day-use fee; peregrine falcons nest on the cliffs.
- 57 km
Highlands
NC - 64 km
Bridal Veil Falls
NatureHighlands, NCA waterfall beside US-64 west of Highlands, where an old loop of road once let cars drive behind the falling water. Park at the pull-off; the loop is now closed to cars but you can still walk behind the falls.
- 71 km
Dry Falls
NatureHighlands, NCA 65-foot waterfall on the Cullasaja River with a paved path and steps that lead behind the curtain of water. National Forest day-use fee; the small lot fills on summer weekends and October color days.
- 822 km
Franklin
NC
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Brevard → Whitewater Falls · 25 mi · 0 h 27 minOvernight nearby, for example: Gorges State Park Campground (6 mi); Devils Fork Campground (6 mi).
- Day 2: Whitewater Falls → Whiteside Mountain · 13 mi · 0 h 14 minOn the way: Cashiers.Overnight nearby, for example: Gorges State Park Campground (11 mi); Van Hook Glade Campground (6 mi).
- Day 3: Whiteside Mountain → Franklin · 21 mi · 0 h 23 minOn the way: Highlands, Bridal Veil Falls, Dry Falls.Overnight nearby, for example: Country Girls RV Park (18 mi); Winding Stair Campground (11 mi).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and July–August. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is The Waterfall Byway: Brevard to Highlands and Franklin?
3-day road trip of about 96 km (59 mi) with 8 stops, from Brevard to Franklin. About 1 h 04 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for The Waterfall Byway: Brevard to Highlands and Franklin?
We suggest 3 days: about 1 h 04 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does The Waterfall Byway: Brevard to Highlands and Franklin start and end?
It starts in Brevard and ends in Franklin.
Which states does The Waterfall Byway: Brevard to Highlands and Franklin pass through?
North Carolina.
Where can you camp along The Waterfall Byway: Brevard to Highlands and Franklin?
OpenStreetMap lists 75 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Gorges State Park Campground, Mount Pisgah Campground - Milepost 408.6 and Country Girls RV Park.
When is the best time for The Waterfall Byway: Brevard to Highlands and Franklin?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
