Bridal Veil Falls

Early postcard of Bridal Veil Falls.

Like High Falls featured in last week’s Picturing the Past article, Bridal Veil Falls on the Little River in present day DuPont State Forest has long been a popular destination for sightseers.

As the Little River approaches the falls it flows down a granite slope, then drops over a projecting ledge which leaves a relatively dry space behind the top of the falls.  It immediately spreads out and continues down a long curving slope, becoming steeper before plunging down to small pools and rock slabs.  From a distance, the entire stretch gives the appearance of a bride’s long veil, with the tumbling water representing billowing lace giving it the name of Bridal Veil Falls.

This illustration from Reid's novel, "The Land of the Sky" shows
the danger of wandering behind Bridal Veil Falls.

In her 1876 novel, “The Land of the Sky”, Christian Reid promotes the mountains of western North Carolina.  The story is formulaic fiction of the time with damsels in distress and gallant rescues in romantic mountain landscapes.  The narrative, although overly descriptive, paints a vivid picture of the scenery. 

When the adventurers visit Bridal Veil Falls Reid writes, “It is a trying operation, this passing behind the falls.  The space for passage is very narrow, the wet stones are exceedingly slippery, the rock above shelves in a manner which makes it necessary to bend nearly double, the tumult of the falling water is almost deafening, and the spray fairly blinding.  We draw a breath of relief when we emerge on the other side.”

Other early accounts promoted Bridal Veil Falls as a destination for travelers as well.  “Azure-Lure: A Romance of the Mountains”, a 1924 guide to Western North Carolina states that, “They stopped at the trail leading to Bridal Veil Falls, climbed under and across the fall, and strolled along the ‘veil’ for a few hundred yards.  The name comes from the resemblance to the flowing, filmy veil of a bride, but this veil is between a quarter and half mile long.”

Although these writing promote venturing behind the falls, today walking along the side of the waterfall is not permitted due to the risk of injury.  Bridal Veil Falls is best viewed from the safety of the observation deck or the flat rocks at the base of the waterfall.  Learn more about waterfall safety at waterfallsafety.com.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. Visit the NC Room during regular library hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional photographs. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact Marcy at marcy.thompson@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.