The Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
hiked to Pearson's Falls
2748 Pearson Falls Road
Saluda, NC 28773
September 30, 2020 and August 19, 2021

USA map showing location of North Carolinalocation of Pearson's fallsBlue Ridge Matopma; Jetrotage area logo

Note: The days and hours of operation changes according to the month, weather, and trail maintenance. Admission Fee on both of these dates was $5 for adults age 13 and up, $1 for ages 6-12. and under 6 free. No pets were allowed. For safety reasons, wading, swimming and rock climbing are not permitted.

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Pearson's Falls is located in the foothills of Western North Carolina off Hwy 176 between Tryon and Saluda. This wildlife and bird sanctuary comprises 268 acres of native forest, granite, spring-fed streams and a moderate 1/4 mile trail to a 90-foot waterfall. Pearson's Falls is owned and maintained by The Tryon Garden Club, a non-profit organization.

history bookPearson's Falls was named for a young engineer, Charles William Pearson, who scouted the mountains for what was to become the Southern Railroad. A military man, farmer, and an engineer, Captain Pearson bought the Glen as part of a large tract of land that he wanted for his family.

In 1931, the Tryon Garden Club bought the property in order to preserve this unique mountain Glen. Although open to the public, the property remains under the ownership and protection of the Tryon Garden Club.

Pearson's Falls is designated as a North Carolina National Heritage Site of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, a North Carolina Birding Trail Site, and is placed in the Smithsonian Institution Archives of American Gardens.

The waterfall's water source is Colt Creek, and the trail leading up to the waterfall is roughly three-tenths of a mile. Using a scale of 0-10, with 0 being easy and 10 being very difficult, the difficulty of the trail is listed as a 3. The waterfall is not wheelchair accessible.
Above quote mostly from From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Welcome to Saluda NC sign Pearson's Falls entry sign

Below: Lee Duquette recognized this place as soon as they arrived. He did not check this website before planning this trip, so he was surprised that they had already been here. Karen Duquette did not question which waterfalls they were going to on this trip. Most of the photos are from September 30, 2020, but a few new ones are from August 18, 2021 (the 2021 photos will be marked as such).

sign about Pearson's Falls

The two RV Gypsies began their hike via a 1/4-mile hiking trail alongside a brook. It was a fairly easy/moderate trail, but with a lot of rocks and stubs along the way, plus some stepping stones that call for caution. Below are several views of the brook and the trail before reaching the gorgeous 90-ft. tall waterfall.

a small dam flowing from Colt Creek water flowing from Colt Creek
water flowing water flowing
water flowing Lee Duquette on the trail
water flowing water flowing
Lee Duquette on the stepping stones Lee Duquette on the stepping stones

Below: On August 19, 2021, Lee Duquette on the same steps (as shown above in 2020) - plus a few 2021 photos of the raging waters.

Lee Duquette on the steps in 2021
close-up of the raging waters a small waterfall dip
the flowing water the flowing water
the flowing water a big rock in the water

Below: The lower falls in 2020 and 2021

a lower fall - dam lower falls

Below: A stone in memory of Doris Pitkin Buck - an American science fiction author

stone in memory of Doris Pitkin Buck

Below: The two RV Gypsies loved the way water streamed down the sides of the cliffs and dripped over the edge of the ledges along the way. Plus it always gave Karen Duquette a chance to splash water on her face. (2020 photos)

water dripping down ledges water dripping down ledges
water dripping down ledges water dripping down ledges
water dripping down ledges water dripping down ledges

Below: The rocks in 2021

water flowing down the rocks a big rock along the trail

Below: Walking over a short bridge, in 2020 and with Lee Duquette on the bridge in 2021.

bridge Lee Duquette on the bridge in 2021

Below: Crossing over the short bridge (shown above), the two RV Gypsies got a glimpse of the lower section of Pearson's Falls and the upper section which could barely be seen through the trees above the small, lower falls.- again - a photo from 2020 and one from 2021.

glimpse of the falls in the trees lower Pearsons Falls

Below: Another look as the two RV Gypsies walked past the lower falls area in 2021

the lower falls area

Below - more comparing the 2020 (always on the left) and 2021 photos (always on the right)

dam and glimpse of the upper falls Pearsons Falls
Lee Duquette on the stairs

Below: The two RV Gypsies reached the gorgeous 90-foot tall Pearson's Falls that cascaded down a staircase of rock. There were two adjoining areas for different views of the waterfall, but it was not possible, and not allowed to get any closer.

the gorgeous 90-foot tall Pearson's Falls the gorgeous 90-foot tall Pearson's Falls

Below: The two RV Gypsies in front of Pearson's Falls in 2020

Karen Duquette at Pearson's Falls Lee Duquette at Pearson's Falls
Karen Duquette at Pearson's Falls Karen Duquette at Pearson's Falls

Below: The two RV Gypsies at Person's Falls in 2020

Below: The two RV Gypsies at Person's Falls in 2021

the two RV Gypsies at Pearsons Falls the two RV Gypsies at Pearsons Falls 2021

Below: Karen Duquette at Person's Falls in 2021

A 2021 panorama of Pearsons Falls and Karen Duquette
Karen Duquette at Pearsons Falls 2021 Karen Duquette at Pearsons Falls 2021
closeup of the falls

2020

2021

closeup of the falls closeup of the falls 2021
closeup of the falls Pearson Family trail sign
catepillar

look below

There are two navigational buttons below, depending on how you got to this page, from 2020 or 2021 travels. Be sure you pick the proper year, since this page is a multiple year site.

go to the next adventure of the two RV Gypsies Continue on to Gorges State Park in Sapphire, NC (2020)

OR

go to the next adventure of the two RV Gypsies Continue on to Melrose Falls (2021 travels)