About Silver Run Falls
Silver Run Falls drops about 25 feet over a layered rock face into a clear pool on Silver Run Creek in Nantahala National Forest, a few miles south of Cashiers, North Carolina. The walk is short and mostly flat, roughly 0.4 miles round trip, which makes it one of the easiest waterfall stops in the area. It is far from the national park, so no parking tag is involved.
The walk
A parking area on NC-107 serves the trail, which runs a few minutes through woods to the base of the falls. The falls are wide enough to fill a frame without backing up, and the pool is typically clear to the bottom. An upper cascade lies above the main falls, but reaching it means climbing wet granite, which is not recommended. Stay at the base.
Getting there
From Cashiers, follow NC-107 south for a few miles to the signed Forest Service parking area. From Gatlinburg or Cherokee, plan on roughly two to two and a half hours. For local lodging, food and a few shops, see the Cashiers area website.
When to go
- Spring: Highest water.
- Summer: The pool is a popular place to wade; the rocks are slick.
- Fall: Pleasant color.
- Winter: The edges ice over, and the short trail can be slick.
Know before you go
Do not climb the cliff face; scrambling on wet granite is risky. Cell service is limited. Pair it with Whitewater Falls, Toxaway Falls or the Highlands waterfalls for a longer day in the escarpment country.
Good to know
- How tall is Silver Run Falls?
- Silver Run Falls drops about 25 feet.
- How far is the hike to Silver Run Falls?
- It is about 0.2 miles each way, rated easy.
- Can you swim or climb at the falls?
- Please don’t climb on or around waterfalls. Wet rock and algae are extremely slick, and falls from waterfalls are a leading cause of death in the Smokies. Enjoy the view from the trail.
