Travel Lens
Waterfalls, a deep river gorge and mountain views fill this Southern Appalachian plateau town in western North Carolina.
A paved path from the parking lot leads to this 75-foot waterfall, and you can walk right underneath the falling water.
A well-marked, fairly easy trail a short drive from town leads to these cascades, a good outing for the whole family.
Visible from the highway, this 120-foot waterfall has easy parking, a walk behind the falls and sometimes an afternoon rainbow.
This nature center’s botanical garden holds about 450 species of flowers, ferns and trees, plus a meadow boardwalk and a lily pond.
Rock cliffs, rushing rapids and waterfalls line this deep gorge on the way between Highlands and Franklin. Watch your footing near the rocks.
A favorite with locals and visitors alike, this waterfall sits in the Cullasaja River Gorge. Parking is limited, so avoid holidays.
A relatively easy 2-mile round trip reaches long-range views in about half an hour, with stairs on the steeper sections.
Swipe up for all 25 things to do in Highlands in our full guide.