Cullasaja River Gorge
Cullasaja River Gorge
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
131 reviews
Excellent
90
Very good
33
Average
7
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Rudy_Wewa
111 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
We went Friday after lunch and found the last spot on the side of the road to park our truck. It was beautiful! Would have been less stressful (traffic/lots of people trying to take pics) during an off time. Perhaps mid morning would have been better. Very pretty though! Be careful of the winding road.
Written 17 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dori K
9 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
One of the most beautiful drives we have taken. Loved it so much we did it two years ago and came back to do it again this year. Waterfalls all over. 64 sure is a scenic byway and would highly recommend this trip!
Written 12 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa M
Dahlonega, GA205 contributions
Apr 2023 • Solo
Beautiful water fall. I read reviews and knew it would take a moment to find it. Just look for the sign and parking on the side of the road. You have to climb down some rocks to get a good look and I had sneakers on so of course I lost my footing a bit. Definitely worth a stop and a walk, but wear good shoes!
Written 10 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DebBee
Cocoa, FL4 contributions
Feb 2024 • Solo
I did not get to go all the way down to the water but saw pieces of the Gorge. Living right on the gorange.
It is Beautiful and amazing. It's like something i've never seen, Ever. There is so much to say about Is beautiful Macon County.
It's a place time for God and we step back in time to enjoy it and read the stories from long ago.At the historical society downton the museum. You can also see the post office box at the top of the stairs that used to be in the historical post office.
This is a place where you make your own sure happen. God bless you! The Brown's, Larry and Dolores were adventurers at heart.
Glad I got thislove for nature from my Beautiful Parents in Heaven!
It is Beautiful and amazing. It's like something i've never seen, Ever. There is so much to say about Is beautiful Macon County.
It's a place time for God and we step back in time to enjoy it and read the stories from long ago.At the historical society downton the museum. You can also see the post office box at the top of the stairs that used to be in the historical post office.
This is a place where you make your own sure happen. God bless you! The Brown's, Larry and Dolores were adventurers at heart.
Glad I got thislove for nature from my Beautiful Parents in Heaven!
Written 30 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Craig A
South Carolina821 contributions
Dec 2020
This stunning drive from Highlands to Franklin on Rt 64 is not to be missed! We've driven all over the country and the closest we've come to an area this gorgeous is driving South on Rt 191 from I-90 towards Big Sky, Montana. That gives you some idea how rare a treat the gorge is. And I actually think the Cullasaja River Gorge is even more beautiful.
A twisty road, sheer rock cliffs, several significant water falls, rushing rapids, deep gorge views...what more would you want? If in Highlands - drive slowly West on 64 and plan for a fun lunch in charming Franklin. If you're staying near Franklin, drive East on 64 and spend the afternoon in quaint Highlands.
BTW - if a speedy driver comes up behind you and is pushing you to go faster - when you obviously want to go slowly and enjoy the scenery - just briefly pull off in one of the many turn-outs and let that hurry-person past. Then return to (safely) rubber necking all the nature around you!
A twisty road, sheer rock cliffs, several significant water falls, rushing rapids, deep gorge views...what more would you want? If in Highlands - drive slowly West on 64 and plan for a fun lunch in charming Franklin. If you're staying near Franklin, drive East on 64 and spend the afternoon in quaint Highlands.
BTW - if a speedy driver comes up behind you and is pushing you to go faster - when you obviously want to go slowly and enjoy the scenery - just briefly pull off in one of the many turn-outs and let that hurry-person past. Then return to (safely) rubber necking all the nature around you!
Written 20 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark W
Cumming, Georgia, United States26 contributions
Oct 2014 • Solo
Spent a couple of days exploring the Cullasaja River Gorge during the apex of the fall color change. An absolutely beautiful place. I followed hwy. 64 between Franklin and Highlands NC and there were many pull offs to enjoy the scenery along the river. Here is the edited video that I shot of my trip. http://vimeo.com/109949903
Written 26 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NCluvtrav
Hillsborough, NC512 contributions
Sept 2018 • Friends
I feel for the person who has to drive the 7.1 miles of twists and turns but the view for the passengers is spectacular. Go early in the morning as traffic gets crazy later in the day as tourists flock the road to see the falls along the drive and perhaps follow the road from Franklin to Highlands to do some shopping downtown Highlands. So worth your time to do.
Written 6 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
margaret r
New Bern, NC56 contributions
Aug 2016 • Friends
I would really love to rate this higher. The views (from what I could see and what my passengers told me) are breathtakingly beautiful. Unfortunately, this is one of the most hair-raising drives in North Carolina: Miles of blind hairpin curves with a sheer drop on one side and a granite cliff wall on the other. One direction of travel each way.
This is no place to take a large RV or trailer. If you are going to (or from) Highlands, take 106 instead.
This is no place to take a large RV or trailer. If you are going to (or from) Highlands, take 106 instead.
Written 11 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MikeATL
Atlanta, GA1,110 contributions
Apr 2016 • Friends
There are three falls the length of this gorge between Highalnds and Franklin. Heading out of Highlands: #1 Bridal Veil. Its just about 10 feet off the highway and you cant miss it. There is a pull off that might hold 6 or so cars at most. The water here though is often very light so it isnt all that impressive but still nice to look at. It is on the RIGHT side if your headed OUT of Highlands. Then the falls #2 is Dry Falls. Now this one has water! It had parking for about 20 or so cars. This is much better and you can get out and walk down below and behind the falls to the other side! DO STOP HERE. Hopefully you can find a place to park in season, and there is a rest room there. No charge. A great stop. It is on your LEFT side heading out of Highlands after Bridal Veil. The last of the three is Cullasaja Falls. It is beautiful too, but there is no pull out and only limited parking on the river side. BE CAREFUL HERE!!!! It could be dangerous trying to stop as cars are often moving fast and no real good pullouts. If a slow day there are a few pull outs if your headed toward Highlands but please please be careful and I wouldnt try it with kids. You can get a fair view headed southbound, but when all the trees have leaves that view is greatly diminished and its hard to see going north.
Written 1 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gogirl51
Webster Groves, MO124 contributions
Apr 2015 • Family
We discovered the almost magical town of Highlands just four years ago but have just completed our SIXTH visit. We are in Love. The drive from Franklin up to Highlands on US 64 the first few times was almost like an out - of - body experience. Maybe other people have experienced drives like in other parts of the country but certainly not us. The twists and turns and vistas are mind blowing at points. It might sound strange to say while writing a review of this, that I almost kind of CAN'T review it to give readers a true sense of it. But, suffice it to say it's like ringing water from a towel (I actually read that somewhere). At various points you will see the gushing Cullasaja river waterfalls to your right that make the 18 miles a feast for the eyes. The twisting and turning road makes the 18 miles take about 35 minutes at least. But at the top of it all, you emerge into the elegant, charming mountain town that is Highlands, NC and you breathe again. I will say that in the summer months, simply because of the growth of the Mountain Laurel and other things along the road, you may not experience the 'mind blowing' effect of some of the twists and turns. If you're lilly-livered, this might be a positive for you. For us, is was kind of a let-down having experienced it the 'Real' way all the other times. In our six trips, only one has been in the Summer - June to be exact and and it was less than the dramatic effect we've had on all other visits. Regardless - just do it. And then spend time at one of the charming inns of Highlands. It will be trip you won't soon forget.
Written 22 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Most trails allow dogs, if they don't there usually are signs. It's best to buy trail maps at area outdoor stores. Just make sure you clean up after your dog.
Written 15 August 2015
I plan to stay at "Mitchell's Lodge & Cottages " at 264 Dillard Rd, Highlands, NC 28741. Can someone please suggest a driving route from the hotel to the waterfall? Not sure about the waterfall location. Thanks.
Written 11 May 2015
Just follow the road to Franklin, NC. There will be a pull off spot on the left down the road a ways. Be very careful as the road is narrow and curvy.
Written 12 May 2015
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