Pearson's Falls is a 90-foot waterfall in western North Carolina set within a 268-acre sanctuary of native forest, granite outcrops, and spring-fed streams between Tryon and Saluda. Named for engineer Charles William Pearson, who explored these mountains for the future Southern Railroad and later bought the glen for his family, the site was protected in 1931 when the Tryon Garden Club purchased it. Fed by Colt Creek, the preserve is known for exceptional plant diversity, including more than 200 species of rare wildflowers and other plants. It serves both as a scenic public destination and as an outdoor laboratory for science students and field trips.