The waterfall is located on the Cullasaja River in the Nantahala National Forest and is part of the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway.

Cullasaja comes from a Cherokee word meaning "honey locust place".

The falls are located beside of a series of blind curves on U.S. 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.

Though difficult to reach, some use the falls as a place for leisure activities such as swimming (in the pool below) or rappelling.