Courthouse Falls facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Courthouse Falls |
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Courthouse Falls
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| Location | Pisgah National Forest, Transylvania County, North Carolina |
| Coordinates | 35°16′18″N 82°53′39″W / 35.27160°N 82.89416°W |
| Type | Slide |
| Total height | 40 ft (12 m) |
Courthouse Falls is a beautiful waterfall located in the western part of North Carolina. You can find it close to a small community called Balsam Grove. This amazing waterfall is a popular spot for people who love nature and exploring the outdoors. It's a great place to visit if you're looking for an adventure in the Pisgah National Forest.
Contents
How Courthouse Falls Was Formed
Courthouse Falls was created by the power of water over many years. It's a "slide" type waterfall, which means the water flows smoothly over a sloped rock surface.
The Journey of Courthouse Creek
The water that forms Courthouse Falls comes from Courthouse Creek. This creek flows through the beautiful Pisgah National Forest. Near the falls, the creek passes by a mountain known as the Devil's Courthouse. The water then rushes through a narrow opening. It then drops into a natural bowl-shaped area made of solid rock. This area looks a bit like an outdoor theater, which is why it's called a "natural amphitheater."
Visiting Courthouse Falls
Courthouse Falls is a wonderful place to visit, and it's open to everyone. The trail to reach the falls is considered to be of moderate difficulty. This means it's not too hard, but it's not super easy either. It's a good challenge for a fun outdoor trip!
Getting to the Trailhead
To start your adventure to Courthouse Falls, you'll need to drive.
- First, take NC Highway 215.
- Drive about 6.5 miles south from the Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Then, turn left onto Forest Road 140. This road is also known as Courthouse Creek Road.
- Drive about 3 miles down Forest Road 140.
- After you cross a bridge over Courthouse Creek, look for a place to park on your right side.
Hiking to the Falls
Once you've parked your car, it's time to start hiking!
- Look for the marked trail.
- Follow this trail for about 0.36 miles. That's a little over a third of a mile.
- You will find Courthouse Falls on your left side as you walk.
Other Waterfalls Nearby
The area around Courthouse Falls is full of other amazing waterfalls. If you enjoy exploring, you might want to check out some of these as well.
Waterfalls on Forest Road 140
About 1.4 miles from NC 215 on Forest Road 140, there's another tall waterfall. This one is about 200 feet high! It's on a smaller stream that flows into the North Fork French Broad River.
Upper Courthouse Falls
There are actually two waterfalls that people call "Upper Courthouse Falls."
- One is about half a mile upstream from Courthouse Falls on Courthouse Creek. The trail to this one can be hard to follow.
- Another waterfall, also called Upper Courthouse Falls, is about three-quarters of a mile even further upstream.
Other Waterfalls in the Region
The region is home to many other beautiful waterfalls, including:
- Chestnut Falls
- Kiesee Falls
- Dill Falls
- French Broad and Mill Shoals Falls
- Bird Rock Falls
- Eastatoe Falls
