Courthouse Falls — cliff jumping spot in Balsam Grove, North Carolina
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Courthouse Falls

Balsam Grove, North Carolina
Photo: Kadoka1 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

About this spot

Courthouse Falls sits in Pisgah National Forest near Balsam Grove. From the Blue Ridge Parkway, take NC-215 south about 6.5 miles, turn onto gravel Forest Road 140, and continue roughly 3 miles; park just past the first bridge over Courthouse Creek. A short, steep 0.3-mile trail with stairs and footbridges drops to the base. The 45-foot main falls empties into a narrow, deep pool; jumpers use ledges to the right of the falls ranging roughly 5-60 feet. Stay well clear of the plunge itself — the falling water creates a strong recirculating undercurrent that has trapped swimmers. No permits required on national forest land, but the trail is rocky and slick; sturdy footwear is essential. Best flow is spring through fall.

Safety first. Cliff jumping is inherently dangerous and can cause serious injury or death. Conditions — water depth, submerged hazards, and access — change constantly. CliffScout is community-sourced reference information, not a guarantee a spot is safe. Always assess the conditions yourself before jumping, and never jump where you're unsure. You assume all risk.

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