A cool escape: McGalliard Falls
Plus: The news of the week — First Presbyterian pastor ousted; Bokhari leaves FTA post; New South End tower; Charlotte FC coach suspended for a game; Check out the Election Hub
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Off the Beaten Path: Discover a hidden park in Valdese where a historic mill and rushing water create the perfect summer retreat
Editor’s note: This occasional series is devoted to discovering the hidden corners and unexpected stories in Charlotte and the surrounding region. Have a suggestion? Contact Doug Miller at coach@millerswimming.com.
By Caroline Willingham
It’s hot out there! And if, like me, you’re tired of sitting in air conditioning all day but can’t bear hiking or picnicking in the blazing sun, there’s a hidden escape less than two hours outside of Charlotte that offers a cooling pick-me-up.
McGalliard Falls Park is located in the small town of Valdese, a straight shot north on U.S. 321 and a short drive west on I-40. It doesn’t often make the “must-see” lists for Western North Carolina hikes or waterfalls — which might be why it feels like such a hidden gem.
McGalliard Falls Park has been open to the public in Valdese, NC, since 1982. It’s located about 1.5 hours from Uptown Charlotte and just over an hour from Asheville. (Willingham photo)
The waterfall is tucked in a public park managed by the town and includes a picnic shelter, restrooms, sand volleyball court, parking lot and walking trails. The falls are part of McGalliard Creek, which branches off from Rhodhiss Lake. According to Friends of the Valdese Rec, the park was opened in the 1980s, but its history began back in the late 1800s. The falls were a popular spot for picnics and swimming for some of the first settlers of Valdese.
Then the Meytre Grist Mill was built adjacent to the falls in 1906 for local farmers and operated until 1941, changing from water to turbine power during that span. For many years, it sat unused until it was rebuilt in 1982 and once again got the wheel turning. The current wheel, while no longer functional, stands as an impressive replica of the historic feature.
The mill next to the falls was used to grind wheat and corn throughout the 20th century. It is no longer functional, and the wheel was rebuilt in 2016 after being damaged. (Willingham photo)
As you drive up to the park, you might worry you’re in the wrong place. There are no big mountains. No heavily wooded forests. It almost looks like just a regular park. But as soon as you step outside, you can hear the rushing water pouring from nearly 40 feet high into the creek below. It’s just a short 5-minute walk down a paved walkway to see from the top of the falls, and a steep but brief climb down a hill to get to the bottom.
The view from above the falls is lovely, but the main attraction is undoubtedly from the base, so you’ll want to pack your water shoes. At the bottom of the hill by the mill building, you can carefully cross rocks in the water to get to a bit of land in the middle from which you can enter the water — or picnic against the backdrop of the falls. The area is often an attraction as a swimming hole, and the water is cold and refreshing. It appears to get pretty deep close to the falls, so swim at your own risk and don’t go alone.
Once you’re down in the water, you may almost feel transported, surrounded by the calming sounds of the falls, the buzzing of bugs in the trees, and the historic mill to your side. When I went on a Monday afternoon, there were a few families enjoying the water, with some teens daring to climb up the bottom section of the falls to jump in, and younger children swimming and checking out the river rocks.
Be sure to take some sunscreen and bug spray, as the area is surrounded by trees but gets a good bit of sunlight during the day. And of course, leave no trace by taking any trash with you as you leave the park once you’ve cooled off and taken in the beautiful surroundings.
McGalliard Falls may not be the biggest or most famous, but that’s its magic — a cool, quiet spot where history meets rushing water. On a hot day, it’s proof that the best escapes can be just a short drive away.
Caroline Willingham is a freelance writer and multimedia storyteller based in Charlotte. You can reach her at caroline.e.willingham@gmail.com.
➡️ Axios Charlotte has a list of 9 other waterfalls within a 3-hour drive of Charlotte
Today’s supporting sponsor is Arts +. Sign up for fall classes: Sing Play Move, Discovering Strings, Exploring Drawing and Painting, Arts+ Afterschool, Middle School Product Design 1.0, IDK Guitar, Collage 101, and so much more!
Catch up on The Ledger’s ‘Career Boost’ series
This week, The Ledger published a series called “Career Boost,” with practical advice from local experts to help you sharpen your skills and move forward in your career. The series consists of short articles with accompanying 15-minute podcasts.
If you missed any of the installments, now is your chance to catch up!
Communicate like a leader: Best practices for expressing yourself with confidence (🎧 podcast)
Make LinkedIn work for you: Upping your LinkedIn game, with simple tips to get noticed (🎧 podcast)
Be more productive — minus the stress: How to get more done (without losing your sanity) (🎧 podcast)
You might also be interested in these career tips, published in The Charlotte Ledger over the last few years:
➡️ Do you have ideas? We want to help you get ahead in your career. If you have suggestions for future articles you’d like to see, drop us a line at editor@cltledger.com.
This week in Charlotte: Aldersgate partners with nonprofit; Panthers face Jaguars in opener; Accused CATS stabbing suspect paid no fares; 43-story office/residential tower to rise in South End
On Saturdays, The Ledger sifts through the local news of the week and links to the top articles — even if they appeared somewhere else. We’ll help you get caught up. That’s what Saturdays are for.
Education
CMS test score improvements: (Observer) According to new data released by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, grades of Charlotte‑Mecklenburg Schools significantly improved during the 2024‑25 school year based on end-of-year tests, with the share of schools earning “A” or “B” rising from 32% to 39%.
CMS consultant’s political ties spark scrutiny: (WFAE) Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has renewed its agreement with the consulting firm SYDKIMYL for $180,000 from Aug. 25 to Jan. 30. The firm, founded by former CMS counselor Kimberly McGregor, previously held a $500,000-plus contract that sparked board member concerns over its value and connections to her husband, a recent CMS consultant.
Politics
Tariq Bokhari leaves FTA job: Former Charlotte City Council member Tariq Bokhari, who left to take a job with the Federal Transit Administration five months ago, is no longer serving as deputy administrator of the FTA, according to a statement he posted on Twitter/X.
Voting time: Early voting for Charlotte’s primary election ends today, and Election Day is Tuesday. Check out The Election Hub for all the info you need to cast an informed vote for Charlotte’s City Council and mayor’s races.
Local news
No phones while driving in S.C.: (WCNC) South Carolina’s new hands-free driving act, which took effect Monday, bans drivers from holding or using mobile devices while operating a vehicle, with only warnings issued for the first 180 days before fines and penalties begin.
Pastor ousted after admitting affairs: (Ledger 🔒) First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte announced that senior pastor Pen Peery has stepped down after admitting to inappropriate online behavior and extramarital affairs, following a year-long investigation by the Presbytery of Charlotte.
Stabbing suspect didn’t buy transit tickets; video released: Charlotte Area Transit System officials said the suspect in last month’s fatal light rail stabbing boarded both a bus and the train without paying fares and did not exhibit any unusual behavior beforehand, WSOC reported. On Friday, CATS released an edited video of the moments before and after the stabbing.
Business
New 43-story tower to start: (Ledger 🔒) Riverside Investment & Development announced it is starting construction on a 43-story office/residential tower in South End that’s part of the Queensbridge Collective project. Law firm Moore & Van Allen will be the anchor tenant and take 9 floors in the building, in a move from its longtime home uptown.
Aldersgate completes link-up with nonprofit: (Ledger 🔒) Aldersgate, the east Charlotte retirement community that has been working to turn around financial challenges, has finalized its affiliation with Asheville-based Givens Communities to strengthen governance, stabilize operations, and expand resources.
New plan for Excelsior Club: (Real Estate Whispers 🔒) Developers Crosland Southeast and Kennedy Property & Development are proposing an $8M project to rebuild Charlotte’s historic Excelsior Club as a restaurant and rooftop venue, aiming to honor its cultural legacy while spurring revitalization along Beatties Ford Road. The plan would require $3M in government money.
Sports
Charlotte FC coach suspended for a game: (Ledger 🔒) Charlotte FC will face Inter Miami and Lionel Messi on Sept. 12 riding an eight-game winning streak but without head coach Dean Smith, who is suspended for one game after receiving his third yellow card of the season.
Panthers start season with low expectations: The Carolina Panthers open their NFL season with a game Sunday at the Jacksonville Jaguars. ESPN says the Panthers’ odds of winning the Super Bowl this year are 150-1, which is steep, but better than five other NFL teams.
From the Ledger family of newsletters
Wednesday (🔒)
How to communicate like a leader. Plus: Part of Rail Trail to close for 4 months; State government's AI plan
Thursday (🔒)
Make LinkedIn work for you. Plus: Aldersgate completes link-up with Asheville retirement nonprofit; First Presbyterian Church pastor ousted; Charlotte FC coach suspended for a game
Friday (🔒)
Be more productive — minus the stress. Plus: Reader question on airport construction
Toppman on the Arts
When Jane Austen meets musical theater, sparks don’t fly: “Austen’s Pride” runs through Sept. 7 at Knight Theater, 430 S Tryon St.
Real Estate Whispers
New life for the old Excelsior Club? Plus: Latest on possible office tower in South End; Top 10 building permits; Pod on environmental remediation