Twisting Falls — also known by its lowermost drop, Compression Falls — is a dramatic series of cascades where the Elk River plunges through a deep, rugged canyon in the Cherokee National Forest of Carter County, near the Tennessee–North Carolina line. The river drops over a staircase of offset ledges carved into the bedrock, making it one of the most striking and photographed waterfalls in the region.

It's reached by a short but brutally steep trail of about three-quarters of a mile — genuinely one of the steepest “trails” in the area — that drops down into the gorge. The scenery at the bottom is spectacular, with the river surging over the rock and pooling below.

This is one of the most dangerous swimming and cliff-jumping spots in the Southeast — and it has killed people. The pool's currents are strong enough to overwhelm swimmers, and the far greater danger is jumping from the rocks beside the falls: submerged hazards and powerful hydraulics mean some who jump never resurface. Rescues here are frequent and difficult, often taking hours. Do not jump, and think very hard before entering the water at all.

Come for the view, wear real footwear for the treacherous descent, keep well back from slick edges, watch children constantly, and never enter the water during high or fast flow. Enjoy this powerful place with your feet on solid ground.