Pearson’s Falls has long been one of those quiet treasures families in the southern foothills pass along to each other. Then Hurricane Helene came through in 2024, and the glen near Saluda closed. The good news: the Tryon Garden Club, which owns and cares for the preserve, says it reopened on July 24, 2026 following restoration after the storm.
NC Tripping, in its guide to the falls, calls it a 90-foot waterfall and says “Pearson’s Falls is reason enough to visit the area.” Now that the gate is open again, this is a fine time to plan a visit, as long as you know the new ground rules.
What has changed since Helene
If you remember just pulling in and paying at the gate, that is no longer how it works. According to the preserve’s own website:
- Reservations are required for every visitor, including annual passholders, and tickets are sold online only.
- General admission is open Friday through Sunday.
- Admission is $10 per person; the current FAQ says children 12 and under are free. Each adult age 18 or older may bring up to three children age 12 and under. Include your whole group when booking and confirm the price in checkout.
- Arrive within 10 minutes of your reservation time. The gates lock at 5 p.m., and everyone must be off the property by then.
- No pets are permitted on the preserve.
Some older guides online still list lower prices and seven-day hours. Go by the preserve’s current website, and check it again right before you go.
The walk and the glen
The preserve describes the approach as about a quarter mile one way, or roughly half a mile out and back. Its rating is easy to moderate, with inclines and steps along the trail and bridges. Our at-a-glance card uses moderate to avoid understating those demands. Choose the outing according to each visitor’s abilities, rather than age alone, and wear shoes with good grip. Wheelchair accessibility is not confirmed on the current FAQ; contact the preserve at 828-749-3031 about specific mobility needs before booking.
The setting is the real draw. The Garden Club describes the preserve as a mature cove forest with fragile, rare ecology, and much of the restoration work was guided by protecting it. The site is also recognized as a North Carolina Birding Trail site. Walk slowly, look up into the canopy, and let the kids listen for the falls before they see them.
Fall is a lovely time to walk this sheltered valley, when the hardwoods start to turn and the air is cool. A quiet, overcast morning suits the glen well.
Getting there and what to bring
The preserve sits at 2748 Pearson Falls Road in Saluda, off U.S. 176 between Tryon and Saluda in Polk County. The preserve warns that ongoing road work in the area may cause periodic closures, detours and delays, and says it cannot give reliable turn-by-turn directions right now. Check your map app before you leave and give yourself extra time so you do not miss your reservation window.
Pearson’s is pack-in, pack-out. The preserve says coolers are not permitted, there are no cooking facilities, and no trash cans are provided, so bring a small bag and take everything home. A water bottle, a light jacket and a little patience for the drive are about all you need.
Visiting with care
Like any waterfall, the rocks around the base are wet and slippery. Admire the falls from the trail, keep kids close on the bridges and steps, and do not climb on the rocks or the falls. Stay on the path to help protect recovering vegetation and the newly rebuilt trail edges.
If your schedule is flexible, compare the available Friday and weekend entry slots. Capacity is limited, and a reservation is required even if you already hold an annual pass. Then make a day of it with lunch in Saluda or Tryon, and thank the volunteers who brought this place back.
Featured image: AI-generated illustration inspired by the destination, with NC Hiking Life branding. It is not a documentary photograph or evidence of current trail conditions.
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