Sunburst Falls

Sunburst Falls is a 40-foot, roadside waterfall that flows right under NC-215 in the Pisgah National Forest along the West Fork Pigeon River. There is a top portion you can see from the road, and a lower portion that requires some scrambling to view. Each is about 20 feet high. While the falls were originally named after an old logging town, the way the sun shines on the lower portion of the waterfall as it bursts from under the bridge makes for a nice touch. From the pull-off, which has space for about 4 vehicles, you can hop the north-facing guardrail and scramble down the rocks towards the base. Keep your center of gravity low to keep yourself from sliding down. Eventually the lower falls will come into view. The base of the falls also makes for a fantastic swimming hole!