About this spot
Buck Creek Falls is a real, documented waterfall off Buck Creek Road east of Highlands, reached by an old logging road followed by an unofficial, flagging-tape-marked path down to the base. It's a genuine bushwhack destination catalogued by regional hiking guides rather than a maintained trail, and rocks near the falls are wet and slippery. No source documents established swimming or cliff-jumping here; the approach and creek-side terrain are unimproved, so treat footing and any pool depth as unknown until scouted. Park in the gravel pull-off at the sharp bend on Buck Creek Road; this is national forest land in Nantahala National Forest.
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.