About this spot
Cleft Falls is one of several waterfalls on Fork Creek in Pisgah National Forest just north of Lake Toxaway, reached only by a trail-less, off-trail route that combines creek-walking and bushwhacking. Trip reports warn hikers to leave the creek before the top of the falls to avoid a 15-foot cliff directly above the drop. No fees apply on national forest land. No swimming-hole or cliff-jumping culture is documented — the handful of sources describing it are waterfall-bagging trip reports, not swim guides — so treat pool depth, water clarity, and jumpability as unverified. This is a scramble for experienced off-trail hikers, not a casual swim stop.
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.