How to Reach Courthouse Falls in Transylvania County NC

Published by Carl. Last Updated on August 7, 2024.

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This waterfall guide will take you to Courthouse Falls in Transylvania County, North Carolina, with driving directions, parking info, hike details, and nearby places to visit!

Courthouse Falls is a 45-foot waterfall in Western NC, about 40 minutes away from Brevard and an hour away from Waynesville and Sylva. The Courthouse Falls Trail and parking area are relatively easy to reach from a gravel Forest Service Road (FR 140) off NC-215, a state highway that is part of the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway.

After parking, you’ll have a short hike down to Courthouse Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Western North Carolina.

If you’re interested in visiting Courthouse Falls, we created this NC travel guide to help you do so in a safe and responsible manner. Here’s how we’ve organized this guide to Courthouse Falls:

Leave No Trace Reminder
Safety Reminders
Where is Courthouse Falls? (Driving Directions)
The Courthouse Falls Hike
- Bonus Hike to Cody Falls
- Bonus Bonus Hike to Chestnut Falls
Places Near Courthouse Falls (Waterfalls, Hikes, and Mountain Towns)
Related NC Travel Guides

Whether you’re an experienced waterfaller, a novice, or somewhere in between, we know this guide will help you see one of our favorite waterfalls.

Leave No Trace Reminder

Before visiting Courthouse Falls (or any other waterfall), we want to remind you to always keep this place beautiful and to leave no trace. Trash does NOT belong anywhere near Courthouse Falls.

You can even go a step further and pick up any trash if you see it when hiking to Courthouse Falls. Trust me when I say this small act will make you feel better and help us all maintain outdoor spaces today and for future generations.

Safety Reminders

Safety is your responsibility when visiting Courthouse Falls. Here are a few reasons why you should be mindful during your visit:

Venomous snakes are known to inhabit this area and prefer spots off-trail. Sometimes, they like to join hikers on trail, though.
Around the waterfall’s base, there are quite a few slippery rocks that could pose a danger to any inexperienced hikers.
The pool at Courthouse Falls looks inviting but we advise caution due to strong currents near the waterfall’s base.
Again, please stay on the trail when venturing to Courthouse Falls, as steep dropoffs could lead to serious injury (or worse).

Where is Courthouse Falls NC? (Driving Directions)

Address: Courthouse Falls, North Carolina 28708
Map of Waterfalls in Western NC
Note that the main gated entrance to Courthouse Falls is closed during Winter Months (December 15-March 15)

Courthouse Falls is located in Pisgah National Forest and the closest unincorporated town is Balsam Grove.

To reach Courthouse Falls, you can either:

Hike the Summey Cove Trail for 2 miles (4 miles round trip)
Drive for 2.4 miles on Forest Service Road 140 (FR 140) and hike 1 mile to Courthouse Falls

We’d choose the shorter route, but this is a free country with many options for enjoying the outdoors!

One sure thing is that there is little to no cell service for much of the drive to Courthouse Falls. Please have your directions loaded on your phone or GPS and screenshots available of the directions below in case you lose signal altogether.

These directions will get you to FR 140 and eventually, the parking area and trailhead for Courthouse Falls:

Reaching Forest Service Road 140 (FR 140): The turn for FR 140 is about 10.2 miles from the US-64 intersection with NC-215 (at Headwaters Outfitters) and 6.5 miles from NC-215’s intersection with the Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost 423.3).
- From US-64, you’ll travel north on NC-215 for about 10.2 miles and turn right onto FR 140.
- From the Blue Ridge Parkway intersection, you’ll travel south on NC-215 for about 6.5 miles and turn left onto FR 140.

Swimming Hole Near Courthouse Falls NC Forest Service Road 140 Image by NC Tripping — Swimming Hole near Courthouse Falls on FR 140.

FR 140 to the Parking Area (about 2.4 Miles): Once you’ve reached FR 140, you’ll drive for about 2.4 miles before reaching the “new” Courthouse Falls parking area, which is to the left of the closed Forest Service gate. Along the way, you’ll see places to pull off, including more than a few primitive camping areas. We’ve spent a day at one of those sites instead of going up to Courthouse Falls.

Bridge near Courthouse Falls NC Image by NC Tripping

Bridge Closure Note: Previously, the drive was for 3 miles but a flood damaged the bridge just before the Courthouse Falls trailhead. Hopefully, this will get fixed, but there is no rush on our excellent Forest Service employees. If you visit and notice the bridge has been fixed, please let us know in the comments.
- Winter Closure Note: During the Winter Months (December 15 to March 15), FR 140 is closed with a Forest Service Gate at the intersection with NC 215. You can park at the gate and hike 3 miles on FR 140 (6 miles roundtrip) to reach Courthouse Falls or hike the Summey Cove Trail (4 miles roundtrip) if you’re really interested in visiting during winter.

FR 140 is a typical Forest Service Road, a mix of gravel and natural surfaces with some bumps.

Please drive carefully and slowly and you shouldn’t have any problems. I would recommend driving to Courthouse Falls in a car with some ground clearance, so please don’t take your pristine 2-door Porsche there and blame me.

You can visually travel to Courthouse Falls and its surroundings with the following maps:

The Courthouse Falls Hike

Hike Distance: 1 Mile One Way (2 Miles Roundtrip)
Hike Distance When the Bridge Gets Fixed: 0.35 Miles One Way (0.7 Miles Roundtrip)
Difficulty Rating: Moderate

Now that you’ve parked your ground clearance-having car (sorry to my Porsche-driving friends), it’s time to hike down to Courthouse Falls.

From the parking lot, you’ll walk past the Forest Service Gate.

FR 140 Fork Left to Courthouse Falls Right to Chestnut Falls Image by NC Tripping

About 0.2 miles into the hike, you’ll see a fork with a gated trail to the right. That is FR 5031 and will take you to Chestnut Falls (see below).
Take the ungated trail to the left and continue descending toward the aforementioned damaged bridge and trailhead for Courthouse Falls.
At about 0.65 miles into the hike, you’ll see the bridge and the trail to Courthouse Falls, which sharply turns to the left.
- The trail that continues past the bridge is the Summey Cove Trail.

Courthouse Falls Trail NC Image by NC Tripping

For the remaining 0.35 miles, you’ll need to be even more careful, as there are plenty of slippery rocks and natural surfaces along the way. Another distraction is the sound and occasional glimpse of Courthouse Falls.
- Be Safe: As mentioned before, be careful and tread lightly on any rocks and tree limbs. Cell service is minimal if there’s any at all, so keep that in mind before taking any physical risks.

Stairway before the base of Courthouse Falls NC Image by NC Tripping

The last major hurdle is the stairway to the base of Courthouse Falls. It’s steep and slippery, too, so proceed cautiously as you venture down.
After the stairs, you’ll enjoy total views of Courthouse Falls. You may have to hop and skip on some slippery rocks to be right in front of the waterfall, so what have I been saying throughout this guide? BE CAREFUL and proceed with caution.

You can spend as much time admiring Courthouse Falls as you like. It’s one of our favorite waterfalls and is highly regarded by waterfallers throughout Western NC.

Return Hiking From Courthouse Falls to Your Car: Afterward, you’ll head back to your car the same way you came.
The hike back is 1 mile, but you’ll ascend on the road back this time.
That climb is short and steady but enough for us to give the Courthouse Falls hike a “Moderate” rating.

Courthouse Falls Overview

Courthouse Falls is another waterfall on our list of “want to visit” for a long time. During a lengthy trip to the mountains, we explored FR 140 and can’t wait to return.

The Forest Heritage Scenic Byway is my favorite roadway in NC because it cuts through Pisgah National Forest and Nantahala National Forest, and also because it’s home to iconic places like Courthouse Falls.

Again, we recommend you have your directions loaded in your phone or GPS before leaving.

Courthouse Falls North Western Carolina Waterfall Image by NC Tripping

Like its neighbors on NC 215 and US 276, we can’t wait to revisit this waterfall and note any differences in the journey to the parking lot and down to the waterfall. In the meantime, we’d love to hear from you and your experiences at Courthouse Falls.

Let us know here in the comments section and remember to share your NC waterfall adventures in our North Carolina Travel Facebook Group!

Bonus Hike to Cody Falls (At Your Own Risk)

Cody Falls Near Courthouse Falls NC Image by NC Tripping

If you’re feeling extra adventurous and have a hiking partner, the 25-foot Cody Falls is down the creek from Courthouse Falls.

To reach Cody Falls, you can either creek-walk in sometimes knee-high water or bushwhack your way 0.75 miles through a slick, muddy, and steep trail before carefully walking on slippery rocks. The pool Cody Falls empties into is surrounded by more slippery rocks, so I wouldn’t recommend hanging back with a tripod or a selfie stick (ussie stick?) for a better view of the waterfall.
- Safety Note: Please don’t go to Cody Falls alone, as there are many obstacles along the way and many opportunities for serious injury. I’d recommend going down to Cody Falls with someone who knows the area, as I did when I tagged along with my friend and experienced waterfaller Charlie (TheBeardedTraveler17).

Bonus Bonus Hike to Chestnut Falls

Additional Hike Distance: 0.95 Miles One Way (1.9 Miles Roundtrip)

Chestnut Falls Hiking Trail NC Image by NC Tripping

The hike to Chestnut Falls is straightforward until you have to scramble down to the base. The first near-mile of the hike is a mix of ups and downs on gravelly Forest Service road.

After 0.9 miles of hiking past the gate, you’ll see a fork.

There should be a trail to the left that turns into a steep scramble down to the waterfall’s base.

Chestnut Falls NC Waterfall near Courthouse Falls Image by NC Tripping

Once you’re at the base (hopefully safe and sound), you’ll have a nice view of the 20-foot Chestnut Falls.

The return trip is easier in my book because I prefer climbing slippery spots to descending them.

More Places Near Courthouse Falls

Beyond Cody Falls and Chestnut Falls, Courthouse Falls is surrounded by even more beauty. That includes more stops along the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway, some of our favorite mountain towns in Western North Carolina, stops on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and more.

We’ve organized this section by the places closest to Courthouse Falls. Since NC-215 is part of the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway, we’ll start there.

Forest Heritage Scenic Byway Stops Nearby
Blue Ridge Parkway Stops Nearby
Waterfall Byway Stops Nearby
Mountain Towns Nearby

Forest Heritage Scenic Byway Stops Near Courthouse Falls

Forest Heritage Scenic Byway Map — Photo Credit: NC DOT

The Forest Heritage Scenic Byway runs along NC-215 and US-276. The closest landmarks to Courthouse Falls are on the NC-215 side and include:

Kid Friendly Waterfalls in North Carolina French Broad Falls

French Broad Falls (Mill Shoals) and Bird Rock Falls (Cathedral Falls): The next set of waterfalls we’ll mention along the NC-215 side is French Broad Falls, also known as Mill Shoals. About 15 minutes away from Courthouse Falls, these twin waterfalls rush below an iconic bright-red former mill. There’s also a bonus waterfall only a 1/4-mile trek downstream. That is the 15-foot Bird Rock Falls, also known as Cathedral Falls, is encapsulated by a large rock face.

Dill Falls North Carolina Waterfall Guide by NC Tripping

Dill Falls: Many people combine Courthouse Falls with a visit to Dill Falls, which is about 30 minutes north of Dill Falls. Dill Falls is also reachable after a short hike and is a 65-foot waterfall that you’ll never forget.

Sunburst Falls: Sunburst Falls is a lovely roadside waterfall, about 30 minutes north of Dill Falls. The waterfall cascades over multiple tiers before descending into the valley below, passing through a historic stone bridge that dates back to 1937.

US-276 Forest Heritage Scenic Byway Highlights near Courthouse Falls: If you want to drive the entire Forest Heritage Scenic Byway or explore the US-276 side, here are the following highlights to expect:
- Cradle of Forestry
- Sliding Rock Falls
- Moore Cove Falls
- Looking Glass Falls

Blue Ridge Parkway Stops Near Courthouse Falls

The Blue Ridge Parkway is about 6.5 miles from the entrance to FR 140, and more than a few wonderful BRP stops await. Mileposts (MP) are indicated next to each stop and count up when heading south and count down when driving north.

The intersection where NC-215 meets the Blue Ridge Parkway is MP 423.3. We’ll start with highlights that are north of the intersection with NC-215.

North of the Intersection with NC-215

Devil’s Courthouse (MP 422.4): Short and strenuous, Devil’s Courthouse is about 25 minutes away from Courthouse Falls. The trail to Devil’s Courthouse is mostly-paved and takes you to a rock overlook at 5,720 feet. Legend says there is a cave within the mountain where the devil holds his court.

Black Balsam Knob (MP 420.2): The trailhead for Black Balsam Knob is about 30 minutes away from Courthouse Falls and is one of our favorite kid-friendly hikes near Asheville. The fact that this 6,000-footer is easily accessed from the Blue Ridge Parkway is an added bonus!

Graveyard Fields Waterfalls near Asheville NC — Lower Falls at Graveyard Fields.

Graveyard Fields (MP 418.8): About 30 minutes from Courthouse Falls, the Graveyard Fields Loop Trail is an easy hike to a spectacular waterfall (Lower Falls). You can follow a longer loop to a harder-to-find cascade (Upper Falls). Graveyard Fields is especially popular in July and August for the wild blueberries, but throughout the year, this is a truly beautiful stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway!

South of the Intersection with NC-215

Richland Balsam Nature Trail Blue Ridge Parkway Haywood Jackson Overlook MP 431 Image by NC Tripping

Richland Balsam Nature Trail (MP 431.0): The Richland Balsam Nature Trail starts at the Haywood-Jackson Overlook, about 30 minutes away from Courthouse Falls. Not to be confused with the nearby Richland Balsam Overlook (see next), you can hike from the Overlook to the summit of Richland Balsam (6,292 feet) via a moderate 1.5-mile loop.

Richland Balsam Overlook Blue Ridge Parkway Image by NC Tripping

Richland Balsam Overlook (MP 431.4): Just down the road from Haywood-Jackson Overlook (35 minutes from Courthouse Falls), this stop is the highest point of the Blue Ridge Parkway road at 6,047 feet. There’s a big sign in front of the stop that’s always worth an ussie when we’re driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Waterrock Knob Blue Ridge Parkway North Carolina

Waterrock Knob (MP 451.2): The most ideal sunset stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway is Waterrock Knob, about 1 hour 10 minutes from Courthouse Falls. Even from the parking lot and seasonally staffed visitor center, this is a perfect spot for a picnic with panoramic views. Honestly, the best views are from the 0.5 to 0.6-mile summit trail. Gaining 480 feet in elevation, the trail is strenuous but worth it.

Towns Near Courthouse Falls

These mountain towns are within an hour from Courthouse Falls and make a great base for visiting the waterfall and more places:

Things to do in Brevard NC white squirrel

Brevard: Brevard is known as the land of waterfalls, surrounded by hundreds in Pisgah National Forest (including Courthouse Falls), near the Blue Ridge Parkway, and inside Nantahala National Forest. Downtown Brevard is filled with shops and great places to eat. And if you’ve heard of the famed white squirrels, head over to Brevard College for a “chance” at seeing one.

Waynesville: Waynesville is the largest town in Haywood County, and is about 1 hour from Courthouse Falls. The town has adorable shops, amazing restaurants, and historic buildings. The Swag is in Waynesville and is one of the most unique luxury resorts in NC!

Downtown Sylva NC at Night Image by NC Tripping

Sylva: Finally, the Jackson County town of Sylva is a great base for exploring Courthouse Falls, about 1 hour 5 minutes away. Climb the steps to the former Jackson County Courthouse (now part of the library) for a look down on downtown Sylva and its mountainous surroundings for starters, and you might just be hooked for life.

Related NC Travel Guides

We’ve featured Courthouse Falls and its surroundings in Western NC in many of our travel guides. Here are a few examples that will help you explore this wonderful region.