Overview

Before Broad River flows through Hickory Nut Gorge, it twists and drops over multiple levels on a river-wide waterfall known as Broad River Falls. The waterfall drops into a large, deep pool. Below the pool is a jumble of big boulders and trees that you have to scramble through to view the falls. The overall setting is very scenic and would rank high as waterfall destination except that it’s on private property.

A path leads from NC 9 less than a half-mile to the falls. Most of the road along this stretch is heavily posted No Trespassing and No Parking. Some of the signs state, “Absolutely no trespassing, high powered firearms in use.” If just regular firearms were in use, it might be worth chancing it, but since they are high powered, I would advise against it.

Broad River is popularly called the Rocky Broad. Talk to any local and that’s what they call it. You’ll even see it called that in literature and on tourist maps. I have no idea when or how it became known as the Rocky Broad, but the official name remains the Broad.