According to the
U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.79%) is water. Of the land in Macon County, (46.1%) are federal lands that lie within the
Nantahala National Forest and are administered by the
United States Forest Service. Of the of USFS land, lie in the Highlands Ranger District and the remaining lie in the Wayah Ranger District. The county's largest natural water supply is the
Cullasaja River. The
Nantahala River also runs through the county, and flows into the
Little Tennessee River. The
Appalachian Trail winds through the western end of Macon County. As of 2024, Macon County has 21,973 acres devoted to agriculture, with a total of 346 farms.
National protected areas •
Appalachian Trail (part) •
Ellicott Rock Wilderness (part) •
Nantahala National Forest (part)
State and local protected areas/sites •
Euchella Site •
Fires Creek Wildlife Management Area (part) •
Needmore Game Land (part) The falls is a long cascade over the course of . The height of the falls is given as in Kevin Adams' book, North Carolina Waterfalls Google Earth gives a height (based on the elevation of the water at the top of the falls and the elevation of the plunge pool at the bottom of the falls) of . The falls can be glimpsed from vehicles on the road; however, getting a better view of the falls is not easy. The falls are located beside of a series of blind curves on
Highway 64 with sheer rock cliffs above and below the road. There is only one small pull-off near the falls, but walking on the road puts visitors in danger of being hit by a passing vehicle. This water fall is just up the road of the Cullasaja River RV Park.
Dry Falls Dry Falls, also known as Upper Cullasaja Falls, is a
waterfall located in the
Nantahala National Forest, northwest of
Highlands, North Carolina. Dry Falls flows on the
Cullasaja River through the Nantahala National Forest. It is part of a series of waterfalls on an stretch of the river that eventually ends with
Cullasaja Falls. Dry Falls flows over an overhanging bluff that allows visitors to walk up under the falls and remain relatively dry when the water flow is low, hence its name. Visitors will get wet if the water flow is high. The falls has been called Dry Falls for a long time, but has also been known by such names as High Falls, Pitcher Falls, and Cullasaja Falls. Dry Falls is located on the side of
U.S. Highway 64 southeast of
Franklin, North Carolina and north of
Highlands, North Carolina. There is a parking area on the side of the road, where visitors can park before walking the short path with stairs to the falls. Significant improvements to the parking area and trail were completed by the
United States Forest Service in 2009.
Bridal Veil Falls Bridal Veil Falls is a
waterfall located in the
Nantahala National Forest, southeast of
Franklin. With a short curve of roadway located behind the falls, it has the distinction of being the only waterfall in the state that one can drive a vehicle under. Bridal Veil Falls flows on a tributary of the
Cullasaja River through the Nantahala National Forest. The falls flows over an overhanging bluff; visitors may walk behind the falls and remain dry when the water flow is low. During periods of drought, the stream may nearly dry up, though visitors will get wet if the water flow is moderate or high. To avoid this, visitors may drive behind the falls. Bridal Veil Falls is located on the side of
U.S. Highway 64 southeast of
Franklin and north of
Highlands. Highway 64 originally used the curve of roadway behind the falls exclusively so that all traffic went behind them; however, this caused problems with
icing of the roadway during freezing weather. Hwy. 64 has since been re-routed around the front of the falls. There is a parking area on the side of the road, where visitors can park and view the falls as well. In 2003, a massive boulder slid off the left side of the falls, blocking that side of the drive-under completely. However, in July 2007, that boulder was removed by a local developer. The road under the falls is now free of obstruction.
Quarry Falls Quarry Falls is a small
waterfall (or perhaps large rapid in high water) located beside US Hwy. 64 southeast of Franklin. Known to locals as "Bust Your Butt," it is best known for the large, deep pool at the bottom, and is a popular place for swimming during warm weather.
Major water bodies •
Beech Creek •
Blazed Creek •
Buck Creek •
Cartoogechaye Creek •
Chattooga River •
Cullasaja River •
Little Laurel Creek •
Little Tennessee River •
Middle Creek •
Nantahala Lake •
Nantahala River •
Queens Creek •
Tallulah River •
Tessentee Creek Adjacent counties •
Swain County – north •
Jackson County – east •
Oconee County, South Carolina – southeast •
Rabun County, Georgia – south •
Clay County – southwest •
Cherokee County – west •
Graham County – northwest
Major highways • • • • • • •
Major infrastructure •
Macon County Airport ==Demographics==