Every fall, those winding mountain roads seem to call us back. We love the cooler mornings, the changing leaves, and the little stops that turn a simple drive into a day we’ll remember.

On our recent trip to North Carolina, two of those stops took us to Dry Falls and Mingo Falls. One let us walk right behind a curtain of rushing water. The other had us climbing a long staircase through the woods before we caught our first glimpse of the falls. Come along, and I’ll show y’all what made each visit worth the trip.

The Beauty of Waterfalls

I’ve always loved visiting waterfalls. You can hear the water before you reach it, and then there’s that cool mist in the air as you get closer. I never seem to be in much of a hurry to leave once we’re there.

The Scenic Drive to Dry Falls

Getting to Dry Falls was part of the adventure.

We followed winding roads through the fall colors, with towering rock walls rising beside us in places.

Along the Cullasaja River Gorge, we’d catch glimpses of the river far below. Every bend seemed to reveal another view, and I kept wishing we could pull over just one more time.

By the time we arrived, the drive alone had been worth it. But we still had the waterfall to see.

Walking Behind Dry Falls

Dry Falls, near Highlands in the Nantahala National Forest, is one place I never seem to tire of visiting. A walkway leads you around the rocks and right behind the falling water.

As we followed the walkway, the sound grew louder and the mist began to reach us. You could feel the cool air before we even stepped behind the falls.

Then suddenly we were behind the waterfall, looking out through a curtain of water as it poured down in front of us. I tried to take it all in: the noise, the spray, and the view beyond it.

Even though we’d been before, I still wanted to stay a few minutes longer. It’s hard to turn around and walk away from a view like that.

Our Next Stop: Mingo Falls

Our next stop was Mingo Falls, just outside Cherokee, North Carolina. This one made us work a little harder for the view.

The trail isn’t long, but the staircase certainly gets your attention!

We took our time climbing, with the handrails beside us and trees all around. Every so often, we’d stop for a moment before tackling the next stretch.

Once we reached the top, a short walk brought us to the wooden viewing bridge. Looking up from there, we could see the waterfall spilling down the tall rock face. After all those steps, that first look felt like a reward.

There wasn’t as much water flowing at Mingo Falls during our visit as we’d seen at Dry Falls, but the height was impressive. We stayed a while, enjoying the view before making our way back down the stairs.

Planning Your Visit

If you’re thinking about visiting these waterfalls yourself, here are a few helpful things to know.

Dry Falls — Near Highlands, North Carolina. Located along US Highway 64, Dry Falls has a short paved walkway with steps that takes you behind the waterfall. Be prepared for mist and potentially slippery surfaces.

Mingo Falls — Near Cherokee, North Carolina. Mingo Falls is reached from the Big Cove Road area. The hike is short, but you’ll climb approximately 161 steps before reaching the viewing bridge. There are handrails along the staircase.

For either stop, comfortable shoes with good traction are a good idea, and it’s always worth checking trail conditions before your visit.

The Memories We Bring Home

When I think back on this trip, I remember more than the waterfalls. I remember the winding roads, the stops we made along the way, and those moments when we stood still just to enjoy where we were.

Those are the memories I love bringing home with us. They’re also the reason I’m always ready for another mountain drive.

Happy Honeybee Trails! 💛