Right at the border between North Carolina and South Carolina on Highway 281 is Upper Whitewater Falls, part of a cluster of falls on the Whitewater River which travels the intersection of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.

Though there is some argument as to whether or not Upper Whitewater Falls is the tallest waterfall in the country -- or even the state, given the definition of "waterfall" -- but there's no denying that it's an absolutely spectacular site to behold. Housed in the Nantahalia National Forest, visitors can view the falls from a series of observation decks down a set of wooden stairs maintained by the National Forest Service. Direct access to the falls is impossible, and going "off trail" isn't encouraged in any way whatsoever, but the view from the decks is stunning. A $2 per car fee is the only cost of admission to this stunning sight/site.

For more on Upper Whitewater Falls: Interactive Map on Land of Waterfalls

Also sometimes called Umbrella Falls, Turtleback Falls is located on the Horsepasture River and is accessible via a hiking trail that begins in Gorges State Park off Highway 281. The river flows over a large, sloping slab of rock before finally dropping into a large, deep pool at the base of the falls. The rock itself is similar in shape to a turtle's shell, giving the falls its name.

The same trail in Gorges State Park also gives access to Rainbow Falls.

Directions:

From Cashiers drive East on 64 for about 10.5 miles, turn right (South) on 281 for about 1 mile. Forest Service Horse pasture River/Rainbow Falls sign on left. Parking on Right. Go down trail for approximately 1 mile until intersects a trail that parallels the river of Turtleback Falls, go left along trail to view from the bottom. Continue 1/4 mile to Rainbow Falls. If coming from Whitewater Falls, exit parking area to R. Continue on NC 281 for 7.5 miles to park entrance.

Traveling by car on Highway 64 between Cashiers and Brevard will take you right over the top of Toxaway Falls. Formed by the flow of Lake Toxaway waters (the largest privately held lake in North Carolina) and found just downstream of the Lake Toxaway dam, the falls measures 240 feet in height and flows over a large bedrock to the shoals beneath it. In 1916, the dam gave way and Lake Toxaway came gushing down the gorge, stripping away the dense vegetation and exposing the bedrock along the falls and below.

Directions:

Find the pull-overs for viewing Toxaway Falls located directly on Highway 64. From Cashiers, you'll see a cluster of shops and a restaurant with a small parking lot on the right. From Brevard, the pull-over is on the right side of the road approximately a quarter of the mile from the junction of Highways 64 and 281.