Looking Glass Falls

Looking Glass Falls is a waterfall in Western North Carolina, located near Brevard.Natural historyThe name comes from nearby Looking Glass Rock, which resembles a wintertime mirror of sunlight, as water freezes on its sides and reflects the sun, and from the name of the stream from which the falls plunge, Looking Glass Creek.GeologyThe waterway is Looking Glass Creek, which flows through the Pisgah National Forest.Visiting the FallsThe falls are open to the public and are accessible on the side of U.S. Highway 276, approximately 5.6 miles north of the intersection of 276, U.S. Highway 64, and NC Highway 280 in Brevard, North Carolina. It is an extremely popular waterfall, due to ease of access to the falls directly on the side of the road. There is a path that leads to the plunge pool. During the winter when the falls freeze solid, they are popular Ice Climbing destination.According to local Emergency Services personnel, there have been many injuries and deaths at the falls, mainly due to individuals who rock climb near the edge of the falls and accidentally fall in the plunge pool, or persons who jump in the plunge pool. Persons who visit Looking Glass Falls should take care to respect both basic safety rules and the fragile environment that exist at the falls.