Bubbling Spring Branch Cascades Highly recommended waterfall for everyone!

Bubbling Spring Branch Cascades

Nikon D2X, Nikon 24-120mm lens at 62mm, f/25, 4 seconds, ISO 100, polarizing filter. This view is from the road pullout.

Beauty Rating:
7
Accessibility:
Trail and roadside view
River:
Bubbling Spring Branch
River Basin:
French Broad
Watershed:
Small
Elevation:
4,880 feet
Type and Height:
Long, sliding cascade
Landowner:
Pisgah National Forest, Pisgah Ranger District
County:
Haywood
USGS Map:
Sam Knob
Hike Distance:
100 yards
Hike Difficulty:
7 (with possible creek wade)
Photo Rating:
10
Compass:
140°
Canopy:
Open
Waterfall GPS:
Trailhead GPS:
Google Earth Waterfall Download View waterfall on Google Earth. Link is for a Google Earth file. Click file after download and Google Earth will open and fly to the waterfall. Don't have Google Earth on your computer?

Driving Directions

From the junction of NC 215 and the Blue Ridge Parkway at Beech Gap, drive north on NC 215 for 1.9 miles to the gravel pullout on the right (east) side of the road. The drive is 16 miles south of US 276.

Hike Description

You can view the waterfall easily from the pullout. To see it up close, take the path under the guardrail; watch your head as you go under it. The path starts out as a steep scramble path down the bank, then levels off and passes through a campsite. On the other side of the campsite, you’ll have to cross a tributary, which could be a wade if the water is up. The waterfall is a few yards from the creek crossing.

Overview

This waterfall makes a great side trip from the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s not big and powerful, but it’s scenic and in a terrific setting. In winter, spring, and autumn, the view from the pullout is really good. To appreciate the waterfall fully, take the short path to the base and climb alongside it if the rocks are dry. You won’t find a better swimming and sunning spot in the mountains. At the top of the falls (and not visible from the pullout) is a small slide into a large, deep pool. This is a fabulous swimming hole.

For photographers, Bubbling Spring Branch Cascades is as good as it gets. The photo rating of 10 is based upon taking advantage of all the possible vantage points from the roadside view to the top of the falls. If you visit on a rainy day, as good waterfall photographers are likely to do, you’ll need to be extremely careful if you climb the rocks beside the falls.

I’ve been told that some old maps list this waterfall as Dill Falls, and I’ve seen a photo of it captioned as such. However, as far as I know, the real Dill is the one in the Balsam Grove hub.

Nikon D800, Nikon 17-35mm lens at 17mm, f/11, 1/6 second, ISO 200, polarizing filter. This view is from about midway on the falls.

Nikon D800, Nikon 17-35mm lens at 17mm, f/11, 1/4 second, ISO 200, polarizing filter. This view is from about midway on the falls.

Nikon D300, Nikon 70-300mm lens at 90mm, f/16, 2.5 seconds, ISO 400, polarizing filter. This view is from the road pullout.

Nikon D800, Nikon 17-35mm lens at 17mm, f/22, 3 seconds, ISO 50, polarizing filter. This view is from about midway on the falls.

Bubbling Spring Branch Cascades

Nikon D800, Nikon 24-70mm lens at 66mm, f/16, 1/5 second, ISO 200, polarizing filter. This spring view is from the road pullout.

Bubbling Spring Branch Cascades

Nikon D2X, Nikon 24-120mm lens at 65mm, f/32, 5 seconds, ISO 100, polarizing filter. This view is from the road pullout.

Nighttime shot under a bright moon. Nikon D800, Nikon 14-24mm lens at 14mm. Exposure for the sky was f/5.6, 20 seconds, ISO 400. Shot separate exposures for the light painting and stacked them with the sky shot. 

Bubbling Spring Branch Cascades

Nighttime shot of an Iridium flare in the sky above the waterfall. under a bright moon. Nikon D800, Nikon 14-24mm lens at 14mm.  Shot separate exposures for the sky and light painting and stacked them. 

Nikon D700, Nikon 17-35mm lens at 17mm, polarizing filter. Shot 5 exposures to cover the full dynamic range and blended them in HDR software.