Pearson’s Falls

Paid and parked. Simple, very nice and relaxing when you get to the top. Will go back in the spring.

We stopped by in the late after noon to find a beautiful trail leading to even prettier waterfalls. The trail is easy to follow and navigate. The falls are so pretty. Had we planned better, we might have a) gotten there earlier and b) brought a picnic.
I felt the $ 5 per person was a very fair price for grounds so nicely kept.

$ 5 to get in for adults and $ 1 for children. Also no dogs for some reason. Passed by over the way to the airport.

Short but one beautiful walk up to the waterfalls. Make sure to make it there early May, because that’s when the rhododendrons bloom.

One of the coolest falls in WNC. The short hike into the falls is a treat in itself. Great place to picnic. The admission fee helps the Garden club maintain this treasure.
Not wheelchair accessible.

I was expecting a 10 – 20 foot high waterfall, I was blown away. It was so amazing.
The walk there was very pretty and green. All the shade from the thick trees made it so we didn’t even break a sweat in June. Also, I didn’t get one bug bite.
GO THERE…

First thing you need to know: This is a natural waterfall located on private property. The owners of this land have opened it to the public, but there is an entrance fee of $ 5.00 pp over 12 years of age. Children 6 – 12 years old are $ 1.00 and under 6 are free. Proceeds are used to maintain the park and trail.
The land was originally owned by a family as a recreation home, but was offered to a timber company in 1931. The Tryon Garden Club decided to step in and save this beautiful acreage from milling. Several hundred acres were purchased and are still owned by the club today who grant access to the public.
THE HIKE
The well preserved trail is only ¼ mile long, and leads from the parking area to the falls. The hike is picturesque and feels very much like you are in a storybook. I wouldn’t have been surprised to see Little Red Riding Hood playing with Hansel & Gretel or Thomas Kinkade painting a scene for one of his famous forest illustrations. Lush flora and hardwoods mix with attractive ground covers like ferns and wildflowers that blanket the land beside the trail. There are over 200 species of rare wildflowers and plants. There are also rich looking mosses and lichens (fungi) covering stones and fallen tree bark. The river that flows downstream from the falls provide the sound of rushing water as birds and butterflies go about their daily business. It is nothing short of ideal.
Beautiful picnic pavilions, stone bridges and decorative fences also provide the trail with character and utility… but beware of the many outcropping of stones and tree roots along the trail. My 11 year old learned a very valuable lesson about listening to your parents when they tell you not to run. It’s amazing how fast a pre-​teen kid that thinks they know more than you turns into a baby who needs to be carried back to the car. This has been the second time my back and legs suffered at the expense of my children. LOL. We had three other boys with us on this trip, so most likely it was an ego bruising more than anything else.
RULES
* Stay on the trail. Do not climb slopes or the rocks at the falls.
* Do not pick flowers or harm any other vegetation or wildlife.
* No fires are permitted. NO SMOKING.
* Clean up. Trash containers are provided.
* No wading, fishing, grills, alcohol, or pets are allowed.
THE FALLS
Once you arrive, you will notice the base of the falls has been roped off to avoid injury. The spring-​fed falls are easy to see and are best experiences when water flow is at it’s peak. Kids will enjoy the may large boulders they can jump to cross the stream (just be careful). Guides to area flora and fauna area available at the entrance gate as you pay, as well as information boards.
Go EXPLORE something! Enjoy!

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Trail Location: foothills of Western North Carolina between Tryon and Saluda.
Roundtrip Length: .5 Miles
Trail Difficulty Rating: Easy
Height: 90 feet
Unilocal100 [44]

Fun place for an easy hike to an awesome waterfall! It takes about 15 – 20 minutes to get there at a faster pace. Many picnic tables to stop at along the way so would be a good idea to bring a lunch or something if you wanted to rest and relax. I was just here briefly but did enjoy it– lots of greenery in the summer, moss, was very damp but pretty. Admission is $ 5/​person– remember they don’t open until noon on Sundays.

The botanical garden located within Pearson’s Falls was truly a sight to see! The lush greenery and rock formations expanded as far as the eye could see. The park ranger was nice enough to give me a book denoting all the scenery and I had quite a time looking the various plants up. While the waterfall is generally the main attraction, the protected plants and wildlife should also be noted and admired if adventuring through this area.

We really enjoyed this quick get-​away. The falls are very pretty and worth the journey. The trail is well kept and we did not find it very difficult at all. One of my buddies was 6 weeks off a hip replacement and did just fine. The entry fee really is modest and fair given all that you get. Cheaper than a movie and far more entertaining. Don’t hesitate in going!

Pearson’s Falls is a waterfall on private property which is managed by the Tryon Garden Club. The falls are open to the public for a nominal fee.
The trail is under .5 mile and it parallels a creek below the falls. There is varied plantlife and wild flowers to view along the well maintained trail. Once you get to the falls, grab a rock or a bench and partake in the views. It’s a very scenic waterfall. Not too powerful but very relaxing to sit and watch for a while.
Back near the parking lot, there is a picnic shelter that can be rented out. Note that pets are not allowed on the property.
Getting to the falls can be challenging. You’ll have to head south from I-​26 from the Saluda exit. The falls are located between Tryon and Saluda. Watch for sharp curves on the road getting to them. When I went the road beyond the falls was closed but my friends and I ventured through anyway. If the road is open it will take you to an old tunnel under railroad tracks. The tunnel is a gem itself.