Toxaway Falls
North Carolina · 150-foot drop · Last verified 2026-05-23
Flow at Toxaway Falls is 132 cfs today, around its seasonal average.
Right now
Streamflow
132 cfs
FRENCH BROAD RIVER AT · 1h ago
Overnight
66°F
Mostly Cloudy
Saturday
83°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Today's daylight
Sunrise 6:16 AM · Sunset 8:46 PM · 14h 30m
Snapshot built 4m ago. Sources: USGS · NWS GSP.
Toxaway Falls is a 150-foot roadside cascade on the Toxaway River where US-64 crosses directly over the top — you can park, walk onto the bridge, and look straight down the slide. The 240-foot total elevation change continues into forest below. Exposed bedrock here is the result of the 1916 dam collapse, which stripped vegetation from the entire gorge. Fatalities have happened to visitors who walked onto the wet rock above the falls — stay on the sidewalk.
A short history
In 1916, after a 24-inch rainstorm, the earthen dam holding Lake Toxaway collapsed. Most of the lake's water rushed down this gorge, stripping vegetation and exposing the bedrock you see today. The lake was not refilled until 1960.
The trail
0 miles each way, rated easy. Roadside shoulder on US-64, just east of the Toxaway River bridge in Lake Toxaway. Free.
Is the water flowing right now?
Most waterfall sites don't tell you this. The waterfall itself is almost never gauged, but a USGS streamgage in the same watershed can tell you whether snowmelt has started, peaked, or run dry.
USGS gage 03439000 · 6.2 mi away
FRENCH BROAD RIVER AT ROSMAN, NC
View live discharge data →
30-day streamflow
Below 30-day average↻ Same date last year: 224 cfs · 63% of last year — significantly drier
Compare to nearby falls
If this one isn't the right fit, here's how it stacks up against the closest documented falls. Every column is filterable on the site — not buried in 13,000 reviews.
| Waterfall | Distance | Height | Trail | Dogs | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toxaway Falls (this page) | — | 150 ft | easy | Y | Free |
| Twin Falls | 0 mi | 16 ft | — | Y | Free |
| Indian Creek Falls | 1 mi | — | — | Y | Free |
| Upper Indian Creek Falls | 1 mi | — | — | Y | Free |
| Middle Indian Creek Falls | 1 mi | — | — | Y | Free |
| Lower Indian Creek Falls | 1 mi | — | — | Y | Free |
Related waterfalls
Similar height (~150 ft)
- Coopey Falls150 ft
- Nellie Falls150 ft
- Peppermint Creek Falls150 ft
- Big Creek Falls151 ft
- Camp Creek Falls148 ft
Same best season in North Carolina
- Bridal Veil Falls60 ft
- Big Bradley Falls75 ft
Questions visitors ask about Toxaway Falls
Answers built from our structured data. If a question isn't here, the fact is unverified — we'd rather omit than guess.
How tall is Toxaway Falls?
Toxaway Falls is 150 feet (45.7 m) tall. Source heights disagree by source — see the discrepancy box on the page.
Can I bring my dog to Toxaway Falls?
Yes — dogs are allowed. Always leash and pack out waste.
Is Toxaway Falls wheelchair accessible?
Yes — Toxaway Falls has a wheelchair-accessible viewing area with ADA parking. Conditions can change seasonally; verify with the land manager before driving.
Can you swim at Toxaway Falls?
No — swimming is not safe or not allowed at Toxaway Falls. The slide is dangerous in any flow — the bedrock above the falls has caused fatalities. Stay off the rocks and away from the lip.
When is the best time to visit Toxaway Falls?
Peak flow is typically March, April, May, October, November, December. Season-wise: spring, fall, winter. Snowmelt and recent rain affect day-to-day volume.
Is there a fee to visit Toxaway Falls?
No entrance fee. Some trailheads may charge a parking fee separately.
How far is Toxaway Falls from a major city?
Toxaway Falls is 0 miles from Lake Toxaway (about 1 minutes' drive).
More waterfalls in North Carolina
Where it is
35.1240, -82.9312
Sources and live status
Where we got the data, and where to check current conditions before you drive.
Last verified by Fallspots: 2026-05-23
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