Only One Day? The 3 Waterfalls We Tell Our Guests Not to Miss
When you own an RV park in the “Land of Waterfalls,” one question comes up quite often: Which waterfalls should we see while we’re here?
That’s actually a harder question to answer than you might think. With more than 250 waterfalls throughout Transylvania County, there are so many incredible options. Some of our favorites involve longer hikes, a little more effort, or getting farther off the beaten path—and if you have the time, we absolutely recommend exploring beyond the most well-known falls.
But sometimes our guests only have one day and simply want to see a few of the area’s most dramatic waterfalls without spending the entire day driving or hiking.
When that’s the question, our answer is easy: Triple Falls, High Falls and Looking Glass Falls.
All three are incredibly convenient to Pisgah Forest RV Park—Triple Falls is only approximately 7 miles from the park, and Looking Glass Falls is about 9 miles away. Each one is impressive in its own way, and you can comfortably experience all three in a single day without spending a big part of that day in the car.
So, if you’re short on time, here’s the waterfall itinerary we recommend.
A Quick Waterfall Safety Reminder
Before heading out, a quick reminder that waterfalls are beautiful, but they deserve respect. Rocks around waterfalls can be extremely slippery from water, spray and moss, and currents can be much stronger than they appear.
Stay on designated trails and viewing areas, keep away from the top and edges of waterfalls, and never enter the water near the top or base of a falls where strong currents can quickly become dangerous. Wear shoes with good traction, take your time and use extra caution after periods of heavy rain.
A little common sense goes a long way—enjoy the view, take lots of pictures and experience these incredible places safely!
Stop #1: Triple Falls
We’d start the morning at Triple Falls in DuPont State Recreational Forest.
As its name suggests, Triple Falls features three distinct cascades dropping along the Little River, and it’s one of those waterfalls that really delivers the “wow” factor you’re hoping for when visiting Western North Carolina.
The hike isn’t particularly long, but there is one thing we always make sure to tell our guests: the trail to the prime viewing area is steep.
It’s definitely doable—we regularly see people of all ages and abilities enjoying the trail—but good footwear makes a difference. Trail shoes or hiking shoes with traction are ideal, and if you’re more comfortable with a little extra stability, bring a hiking pole or even pick up a sturdy walking stick along the way. Take your time, especially on the steeper sections.
Part of what we love about this little hike is that there’s more to see than just the waterfall. You’ll cross a nice bridge, pass underneath the roadway and walk alongside the river. You’ll even pass one of our favorite swimming holes along the way.
And then comes the payoff: Triple Falls.
Take some time at the main viewing area and enjoy it. This isn’t one we’d rush. There are also trails that allow you to experience the falls from a closer vantage point, where you can really appreciate the power of the water—and depending on conditions, maybe even feel a little waterfall mist. Just be sure to stay on designated trails and viewing areas and use extra caution anywhere around the falls.
Parking is generally not an issue thanks to the good-sized parking area, but like most popular destinations around here, arriving earlier in the day is always a good idea.
Stop #2: High Falls
Next up is High Falls, also located in DuPont State Recreational Forest.
High Falls is another one of those waterfalls that reminds you just how impressive this area really is. The waterfall is large, dramatic and absolutely worth the relatively short hike required to see it.
The hike is roughly a mile total, and what’s a little different about this one is that you’ll hike down toward the waterfall and then back up when you’re finished.
There is some elevation involved, but we consider it pretty minimal for a mountain hike. Take your time on the climb back out and it is very manageable for most visitors.
There’s another good-sized parking area here, and it’s less than half a mile from the Triple Falls parking area, making High Falls an incredibly easy second stop during your day.
And while Triple Falls and High Falls are both located within DuPont, they’re very different waterfalls. That’s one of the reasons we recommend seeing both. You get two completely different experiences with practically no additional drive time between them.
Stop #3: Looking Glass Falls
For your final stop of the day, head toward Pisgah National Forest for one of the area’s most recognizable waterfalls: Looking Glass Falls.
And this one couldn’t be easier to see.
Looking Glass Falls sits right alongside the road—you can actually see the waterfall as you’re driving by. There are stairs leading down from the roadside viewing area that allow you to get closer to the base of the falls, but there’s no real hike required.
Of course, there’s a tradeoff that comes with that convenience: it’s popular!
We’ve found that the waterfalls with the easiest access are often the most visited, and Looking Glass Falls is a perfect example. There are only a handful of designated parking spaces, with additional parking along the roadside, so parking can sometimes be challenging during peak times.
That’s why, if you’re following our one-day itinerary, we’d save Looking Glass Falls for later in the day, when some of the daytime crowds have started to thin out. Going early in the morning is another great option, but for this particular waterfall day, we think it makes a pretty spectacular finale.
Despite its easy accessibility—or perhaps partly because of it—Looking Glass Falls deserves its place on the list. It’s big, beautiful and quintessential Pisgah.
Three Waterfalls, One Pretty Amazing Day
Are these the only three waterfalls you should see while visiting us?
Absolutely not!
That’s probably the most important thing we want to emphasize about this list. These aren’t necessarily the only three waterfalls we’d recommend. They’re the three we recommend when someone tells us, “We only have one day.”
If you have more time, don’t mind a longer hike, or would rather venture toward waterfalls that are a little less traveled, your options open up tremendously. Some of our favorite waterfall experiences require putting a few more miles on your hiking shoes—and they’re well worth the effort.
That’s one of the best parts about staying in the Land of Waterfalls. You could visit again and again and still have someplace new to explore.
And if you’re staying with us at Pisgah Forest RV Park, just ask! We’re always happy to share some of our favorite hikes, waterfalls and lesser-traveled spots based on how much time you have and how adventurous you want to be.
But if you’ve only got one day?
Triple Falls. High Falls. Looking Glass Falls.
Three spectacular waterfalls, three completely different experiences, and one pretty incredible day in Western North Carolina.
Stay Where Adventure Begins.
