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Cullasaja Gorge: Franklin to Highlands, Nantahala National Forest, North Carolina
Photo: Ken Lund from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0

Drives North Carolina Asheville and the Blue Ridge

Cullasaja Gorge: Franklin to Highlands

US 64, Highlands Road, Franklin Road · Franklin → Highlands

Twisty15.3 mi30 min2,300 ft climbHigh point ≈ 3,800 ftOne way
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The drive

US 64 and NC 28 share the two-lane Mountain Waters Scenic Byway through the Cullasaja Gorge, mostly in Nantahala National Forest. The drive runs from Franklin up to Highlands, climbing about 2,300 feet in 15.3 miles on a twisty road cut along the river.

The falls come in turn: Cullasaja Falls, the major cascade; Dry Falls, which visitors can walk behind; and Bridal Veil Falls on a tributary creek. Near Highlands the road is called Franklin Road, and near Franklin, Highlands Road. Franklin itself sits on the site of Nikwasi, a Cherokee town with a platform mound dating to about 1000 AD.

Along the way

  1. Franklin (US-64)
  2. Cullasaja Falls
  3. Dry Falls
  4. Bridal Veil Falls
  5. Highlands (NC-106)
Elevation
2,300 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 3,800 ft
FranklinHighlands
Curves
Twisty most of the way
FranklinHighlands
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Dry Falls has a small day-use fee, $3 a vehicle, open dawn to dusk; the lot fills at midday and holidays.
  • Don't block the road when the Dry Falls lot is full.
  • Cullasaja Falls has only narrow roadside shoulders.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check NCDOT DriveNC.

Questions about this drive

How long does the Cullasaja Gorge drive take?

Franklin to Highlands on US 64 is 15.3 miles and takes about 30 minutes, longer if you stop at the falls.

Is there a fee to see Dry Falls?

Yes. Dry Falls day use is $3 per vehicle, or $15 for an annual pass.

Which waterfalls are on US 64 in the Cullasaja Gorge?

Cullasaja Falls, Dry Falls and Bridal Veil Falls are along the gorge road.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
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More drives near here

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Cullasaja Gorge: Franklin to Highlands, from Franklin to Highlands