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

Balsam Grove, North Carolina · map view — photos in the app

About this spot

Start from Blue Ridge Parkway by heading south on Highway 215 for 6.5 miles, or from Highway 64 by traveling north on Highway 215 for 10.2 miles. Turn onto Forest Road 140 (gravel) and drive approximately 3 miles uphill. You'll pass a campground sign and multiple bridges. Park on the right side after the first bridge that crosses Courthouse Creek. Follow the trail downward toward the waterfall, crossing several bridges and stairs along the way. At the waterfall, look right to find a rocky face with large boulders below. Head across these rocks to locate a worn path ascending the steep slope. Scramble up using branches and roots, staying elevated as you navigate over the rock face. The trail requires climbing through brush and maneuvering around trees. Continue uphill until you spot a ledge with an opening on your left—this represents a cliff around 60 feet or higher with a difficult entry that requires clearing 5-10 feet of space while descending through trees, located roughly 20 feet above lower jumping spots. Proceed further by walking up and over a small rise, then descend about 20 feet on your left using roots and branches for support. You'll now be positioned above the waterfall. From this vantage point facing the falls, traverse left toward an outcrop, using a nook or rope assistance to reach it. An alternative route may involve dropping left from the trail's start to access the falls more directly, though this approach was not explored in detail.

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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