Help Protect North Carolina’s Waterfalls

Western North Carolina’s amazing bounty of waterfalls—more than 200—has been a lifetime fascination for Kevin Adams, long-time friend of the magazine and author of the definitive “North Carolina Waterfalls,” now in its third edition.

One of Adams’ recent undertakings in the realm invites waterfall fans to help with their protection, maintenance and even adoption. Waterfall Keepers of North Carolina, a non-profit whose website is as easy-going and charming as Adams himself, offers Carolina falls fans the opportunity to join and volunteer to degrees ranging from casual help to becoming an adopter of a specific waterfall, which entails visiting four times a year—twice for distant falls—for cleanup and care.

For more information:waterfallkeepersofnc.org

And Speaking of Waterfalls . . .

The U.S Postal Service has honored three Blue Ridge region waterfalls among its recent issue of 10 Forever waterfall stamps: North Carolina Upper Falls along the Blue Ridge Parkway; Dark Hollow Falls in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park; and Grotto Falls in the Tennessee section of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.


The story above first appeared in our September / October 2023 issue.

You Might Also Like:

This is a landscape photograph of the night sky with the Milky Way over rural Bryson City during summer in the Great Smoky Mountains North Carolina.

Skywatch: September/October 2026

Summer is winding down.
Coyote (Canis latrans) wandering out from the forest into the loop road on a summer late morning.

Critters Crossing! 

States across the Blue Ridge are investing in wildlife crossings to protect animals and improve roadway safety.
Eugenia Williams House. Photo courtesy of Bruce Cole

A Mystery on the River

The once-private estate of enigmatic heiress Eugenia Williams is now open to visitors. 
Spotted Lanternfly

The March of the Spotted Lanternfly

Don't let the striking appearance of this troublesome pest fool you.
Virginia Creeper Trail in Damascus, photo by Town of Damascus. Photo courtesy of the Town of Damascus.

Damascus Renaissance

A project to repair the Virginia Creeper Trail is spurring growth in this beloved AT town.
At Coopers Rock State Forest, new Stargazer cabins invite guests to look up through skylights and telescopes.

Even Closer to Almost Heaven

New Stargazer cabins at Coopers Rock State Forest offer a skyward escape in the mountains of West Virginia.
This is a landscape photograph of the night sky with the Milky Way over rural Bryson City during summer in the Great Smoky Mountains North Carolina.

Skywatch: July/August 2026

How many stars can you see?
©Duncan Seaman

A Mountain Tradition Turns 90 

Visitors flock to Galax, Virginia, each summer for the Old Fiddlers’ Convention, a days-long celebration of Appalachian music.
NightFlight Expedition Takes Off at Dollywood

NightFlight Expedition Takes Off at Dollywood

The new coaster is the Tennessee theme park’s largest single attraction investment to date.
Ron Messina | Courtesy of the Department of Wildlife Resources

Historic Easement Protects SWVA Land, Opens It to the Public

Lovers of wildlife, woodlands, and waters will soon have a vast area to explore in Southwest Virginia.