At 411 ft, Whitewater Falls ranks among the tallest waterfalls in the United States — a tiered waterfall in North Carolina. It ranks #19 by height among the waterfalls in this guide.
Whitewater Falls sits on Whitewater River. You'll find it in Jackson, North Carolina. It is protected within Nantahala National Forest (USFS).
This is a short hike waterfall: reached by a short trail, generally under about a mile each way. The walk to the main viewpoint runs about 0.6 miles round trip. Base a visit out of Sapphire, the closest town.
When to go: Spring snowmelt and after heavy rain (Mar-May). Like most waterfalls, Whitewater Falls runs highest after snowmelt or heavy rain and can thin out in late summer, so it's worth checking recent streamflow and the land manager's conditions page before a long drive.
