Transylvania County is famous for its 250 waterfalls. Visitors come from far and wide to enjoy the spectacular beauty and power of these extraordinary natural landmarks. While majestic, waterfalls are undeniably dangerous. People suffer serious injuries and die in waterfall accidents in Transylvania County every single year.
“What drives us to waterfalls is how primitive, wild, and untamed they are. They can make us feel invincible“ says Neil Wilcox of Gorges State Park. “But that feeling of invincibility may cause people to ignore warning signs and take dangerous risks.”
Heightened risks, such as slippery rocks, high falls, dangerous currents, or objects hidden under the water make waterfalls especially risky. What’s more, many waterfalls are located in remote, hard-to-reach areas, which can create a challenge for rescue efforts and emergency services.
With that in mind, Transylvania County Tourism has worked alongside Pisgah National Forest, DuPont State Recreational Forest, Gorges State Park, Transylvania County Emergency Services, and Mission Health to establish the following list of important safety tips for anyone visiting a waterfall in Transylvania County.
