Bridal Veil Falls (Macon County) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bridal Veil Falls |
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Visitors enjoying Bridal Veil Falls
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| Location | Nantahala National Forest, Macon County, in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina |
| Coordinates | 35°04′20″N 83°13′44″W / 35.072175°N 83.228965°W |
| Type | Slide, Plunge |
| Total height | 45 ft (13.7 m) |
| Number of drops | 1 |
| Longest drop | 40 ft (12.2 m) |
Bridal Veil Falls is a beautiful 45-foot (13.7 m) (about 14 meters) waterfall located in the Nantahala National Forest. You can find it northwest of Highlands, North Carolina. This waterfall is special because it used to be the only one in North Carolina where you could drive your car right behind the falling water!
Even though cars can't go under it anymore, the roadway behind the falls is now a fun path for people to walk on. It's a great spot to visit and see nature up close.
What Makes Bridal Veil Falls Special?
Bridal Veil Falls gets its water from a small stream that flows into the Cullasaja River. This stream winds its way through the beautiful Nantahala National Forest.
The waterfall flows over a rocky ledge that hangs out like a small roof. This special shape lets visitors walk right behind the falling water! If the water isn't flowing too fast, you can even stay dry. But if there's been a lot of rain, be ready to get a little wet as you explore behind the falls! Sometimes, if it hasn't rained much, the stream might almost dry up.
Where to Find the Waterfall
Bridal Veil Falls is easy to find right next to US 64. It's about 2.3 miles (3.7 km) north of the town of Highlands, North Carolina.
The highway used to go right behind the waterfall. But this caused problems, especially in winter, because the road would get very icy. So, now US 64 goes around the front of the falls instead. There's a special parking area nearby where you can stop your car. From there, you can easily walk over to see the amazing waterfall.
A Bit of History
In 2003, a very large rock slid down from the side of the waterfall. This boulder completely blocked off one side of the path where cars used to drive. However, in July 2007, a local developer helped remove the huge rock. This made it possible for people to fully enjoy walking behind the falls again!
