Bridal Veil Falls
North Carolina • 45 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Drive Up
Trail Length
0.1 miles
About Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls in North Carolina is a unique and easily accessible waterfall located near Highlands, NC. It is part of the Nantahala National Forest and is notable for being one of the few waterfalls in the state that you can drive behind. The waterfall cascades over a rock ledge, creating a picturesque scene.
The Setting
Bridal Veil Falls sits at 3,399 feet within Nantahala National Forest, in the mountains of North Carolina. The falls drop 45 feet.
Height: 45 feet
Nearby Falls Worth Visiting
Cullasaja Falls (250 ft) lies 3.9 miles to the northwest. Also nearby: Dry Falls (75 ft, 0.6 mi).
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
No hiking required. Bridal Veil Falls is accessible by vehicle with a roadside viewing area.
USFS Trail
DRY FALLS #TR9
Trail Class
Highly Developed
Surface
USFS Segment
0.13 miTrail Description
No hiking is required to view Bridal Veil Falls. The waterfall is located directly off the highway, and visitors can park nearby to enjoy the view or even drive behind the falls when conditions allow.
What to Expect
The falls drop 45 feet. Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
This waterfall is viewable from a vehicle-accessible area. No hiking is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Bridal Veil Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Bridal Veil Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and fall are the best times to visit, as the surrounding foliage enhances the beauty of the area. However, the falls are accessible year-round.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited. Check with Nantahala National Forest for seasonal road closures.
Safety Information
Be cautious when driving behind the falls, as the road may be slippery. Avoid visiting during heavy rain or icy conditions. The parking area is small, so exercise caution when entering or exiting.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Little Tennessee River, 10.1 miles away, not on Bridal Veil Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
140 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 82 years of record
1.55 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average for this time of year.
About This Gauge
This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge LITTLE TENNESSEE RIVER NEAR PRENTISS, NC (16 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
140 cfs
5/10Tomorrow
Barely Flowing
139 cfs
5/10Fri
Barely Flowing
133 cfs
5/10Sat
Barely Flowing
130 cfs
5/10Sun
Barely Flowing
143 cfs
5/10Mon
Barely Flowing
146 cfs
5/10Tue
Barely Flowing
148 cfs
5/10Best window: Today — barely flowing flow, sunny (trip score 5/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid February to late April, peaking in April.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Highlands hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Bridal Veil Falls Frozen?
Updated about 4 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Bridal Veil Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 61°F to 43°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 140 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
1-meter lidar measures about 186 feet of descent through Bridal Veil Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. That is more than the listed 45 feet because the gorge keeps dropping below the falls themselves. The brink sits at about 3,399 feet above sea level.
The ground is already steep on the way in, falling about 239 feet in the 500 feet above the pin, and levels out below the falls. The falls face west and glow in afternoon and evening light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 3,399 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 186 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- West
- Glows in afternoon and evening light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading west).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
Bridal Veil Falls is located along US Highway 64, just 2.5 miles west of Highlands, North Carolina. The falls are visible from the road, making them very easy to access.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
There is a small pull-off parking area near the falls, which can accommodate a few vehicles.
Elevation
3,399 feet above sea level
Coordinates
35.071770° N, -83.229485° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Visit early in the morning or during weekdays to avoid crowds, as the parking area is limited. Be cautious when driving behind the falls, especially during wet or icy conditions.
Where to Stay
Fun Pet-Friendly Highlands Retreat w/ Fenced Yard!
Spectacular Mountain Views With Your Own Private Hot Tub!
Red Top Tree House
Chalet at Peek's Creek
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Nearby Campground
West Fork Campground (Clayton, GA)
8.7 miles away · 5 sites
Overview All Campsites at West Fork Campground are reservation only, you must reserve through recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777Visitors to this 5-site campground marvel over the picturesque bird's eye view of the world renowned Chattooga Wild and Scenic River. Situated along the west fork of the river, this area offers isolation and adventure all in one. Visitors often comment they feel as though they've been swept back in time and are looking out onto the great frontier of the past when
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Dry Falls (another popular waterfall nearby), Highlands, NC (a charming mountain town with shops and restaurants), Nantahala National Forest.
Wildlife
The area around the falls may have common Appalachian wildlife such as birds, squirrels, and deer.
Cities near Bridal Veil Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
Other waterfalls named Bridal Veil Falls
24 other waterfalls share this name across the U.S.
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