How to Reach Dill Falls in Jackson County NC

Published by Carl. Last Updated on August 8, 2024.

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This waterfall guide will take you to Dill Falls in Jackson County, North Carolina, with driving directions, parking info, and hike details from start to finish included below.

Dill Falls is a 65-foot waterfall in Western NC, about 45 minutes away from Brevard and an hour away from Waynesville and Sylva. The Dill Falls parking area and trailhead is relatively easy-to-reach from Forest Service roads off NC-215, a state highway that is part of the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway.

If you’re interested in visiting Dill 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 Dill Falls:

Leave No Trace Reminder
Safety Reminders
Where is Dill Falls? (Driving Directions)
The Dill Falls Hike
- Bonus Hike to Upper Dill Falls
Places Near Dill 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 Dill 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 Dill Falls.

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

Safety Reminders

Safety is your responsibility when visiting Dill Falls. Around the base of the waterfall, there are quite a few slippery rocks and tree trunks that seem inviting enough but could pose a danger to any inexperienced hikers.

Please stay on the trail, as steep dropoffs could lead to serious injury (or worse).

Another reason to stay on the trail is to protect the delicate ecosystems that can suffer damage from informal trails (or social trails).

Where is Dill Falls NC? (Driving Directions)

Address: Dill Falls, North Carolina 28783
Map of Waterfalls in Western NC
Note that Portions of the Drive are Closed During Winter Months (see below)

Dill Falls is located in Nantahala National Forest and the closest unincorporated town is Balsam Grove. To reach Dill Falls, you’ll follow NC-215 before turning onto Forest Service Road 4663 (FR 4663).

There is little to no cell service for much of the drive to Dill Falls, so 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 4663 and eventually, the parking area and trailhead for Dill Falls:

Reaching Forest Service Road 4663 (FR 4663): The turn for FR 4663 is about 14 miles from the US-64 intersection with NC-215 (at Headwaters Outfitters) and 2.5 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 14 miles and turn left onto Forest Service 4663.
- From the Blue Ridge Parkway intersection, you’ll travel south on NC-215 for about 2.5 miles and turn right onto Forest Service Road 4663.
FR 4663 (about 1.8 to 1.9 Miles): Once you’ve reached FR 4663, you’ll drive for a little less than 2 miles (1.8 to 1.9 miles) before reaching a fork in the road.
- Winter Closure Note: During the Winter Months (December 15 to March 15), FR 4663 is closed at about 0.6 miles with a Forest Service Gate. You can park at the gate and walk the remaining 2-ish miles to reach Dill Falls if you’re really interested in visiting during winter.

FR4663 Fork to Dill Falls NC Image by NC Tripping

FR 4663B: Turn left at this fork, which is FR 4663B. It is easy to miss because it seems nondescript and is a steep-looking turn off the road. We actually missed this fork the first time we visited and had to turn around about a mile up the other road.
FR 4663B to Dill Falls Parking: Follow FR 4663B to the Dill Falls Parking area, which can comfortably hold a handful of cars. Also, Please don’t park anywhere beyond those designated spots (don’t block the road) and return at another time (early and/or on weekdays) if there are no obviously available spaces.

FR 4663 is your typical Forest Service Road, a mix of gravel and natural surfaces with some bumps along the way.

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

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

The Dill Falls Hike

Hike Distance: 0.25 Miles One Way (0.5 Miles Roundtrip)
Elevation Gain: 120 feet on the return
Difficulty Rating: Moderate

Now that you’ve parked your ground clearance-having car (sorry to my Mercedes driving friends), it’s time to hike down to Dill Falls or up to Upper Dill Falls (see the Bonus Hike).

From the parking lot, you’ll see another fork for two trails.
Take the less obvious trail to the left, which starts at a clearing between rhododendrons.
You’ll steadily descend for 0.25 miles before reaching a crossing of Tanasee Creek, just below the base of Dill Falls.

Before the creek crossing, there’s a cleared path that will take you closer to the waterfall. You may have to climb under tree limbs and utilize any limbo skills you’ve picked up in life.
- 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.

Spend as much time as you’d like admiring Dill Falls. It’s one of our favorite waterfalls and is even highly regarded by serious waterfallers throughout Western NC.

Return Hiking From Dill Falls to Your Car: Afterward, you’ll head back to your car the same way you came.
The hike back is only 0.25 miles but this time you’ll be climbing up about 120 feet.
That climb is short and steady but enough for us to give the Dill Falls hike a “Moderate” rating.

Bonus Hike to Upper Dill Falls

Hike Distance: 0.7 Miles One Way

Upper Dill Falls is up Tanasee Creek and reachable via that right fork you’ll see when parking.

For much of the hike, you’ll have to climb over mounds created to prevent vehicle access.
After the mounds, the hike will level out and you’ll eventually be able to hear and see Upper Dill Falls to the left.
You’ll need to scramble down to reach the base of Upper Dill Falls, so please be careful and prepared with proper hiking boots and the experience and knowledge to get down there.
After scrambling, you’ll have a nice view of a 25-foot waterfall that is Upper Dill Falls.
To reach your car and the parking area, return the same way you came and be careful, considering the steep and sometimes slippery conditions that await.

Dill Falls Overview

Dill Falls North Carolina Waterfall Guide by NC Tripping

Dill Falls has long been on our list of “waterfalls to visit” and we’re so happy to have seen it in person. The drive is relatively easy but we recommend you have your directions loaded in your phone or GPS before leaving.

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 Dill Falls.

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

Places Near Dill Falls

Dill Falls is surrounded by some of our favorite mountain towns in Western North Carolina, stops on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and landmarks along two of the state’s most beautiful scenic roads.

We’ve organized this section by the places that are closest to Dill Falls, and since NC-215 is part of the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway, that’s where we’ll start.

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

Forest Heritage Scenic Byway Stops Near Dill 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 Dill Falls are on the NC-215 side, and include:

Courthouse Falls NC Waterfall Image by NC Tripping

Courthouse Falls: Many people combine Dill Falls with a visit to Courthouse Falls, which is about 30 minutes south of Dill Falls. Courthouse Falls is reachable after a short hike and is a 45-foot beauty that plunges into a gorgeous swimming hole.

Kid Friendly Waterfalls in North Carolina French Broad Falls

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

Sunburst Falls: Sunburst Falls is a lovely roadside waterfall, about 25 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: 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 Dill Falls

The Blue Ridge Parkway is about 2.5 miles from the entrance to FR 4663, 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 between NC-215 from Dill Falls and 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 20 minutes away from Dill 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.

NC Attractions Black Balsam Knob — Black Balsam Knob.

Black Balsam Knob (MP 420.2): The trailhead for Black Balsam Knob is about 25 minutes away from Dill 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 Lower Falls NC Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville — Lower Falls at Graveyard Fields.

Graveyard Fields (MP 418.8): 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 DIll 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

Ricland Balsam Overlook (MP 431.4): Just down the road from the Haywood-Jackson Overlook, 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 an hour from Dill 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 Dill Falls

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

Things to do in Brevard NC downtown walking

Brevard: Brevard is known as the land of waterfalls, surrounded by hundreds in Pisgah National Forest, near the Blue Ridge Parkway, and inside Nantahala National Forest (including Dill Falls). 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.

Sylva: The Jackson County town of Sylva brings together a fun mix of quirk, history, and scenic beauty that’ll keep you coming back for more. 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.

Waynesville: Waynesville is the largest town in Haywood County, home to adorable shops, amazing restaurants, and historic buildings. The Swag is in Waynesville and is one of the most unique luxury resorts in NC!

Related NC Travel Guides

We’ve featured Dill 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.