Neil Regan may be a native of eastern North Carolina, but living in Canton, N.C., - just west of Asheville - keeps him in close proximity to a phenomenon he has come to love: waterfalls.

The 47-year-old's Great Waterfalls of North Carolina ($19.95; Parkway Publishers) came out this year. It's subtitled A Guide for Hikers, Photographers and Waterfall Enthusiasts, and its 150 pages cover 65 waterfalls and cascades from Macon County east to High Shoals Falls, in South Mountain State Park in Burke County.

It's essentially an upgrade of Spectacular Waterfalls of Western North Carolina, his 2008 paperback guide. The new one has 18 additional cascades, and incorporates new photographs, research, and maps.

The format is built for easy use: two pages for each waterfall - a large photo on the left, simplified copy on the right that includes beauty and trail rankings, directions, a description, and photo tip.

All on public land or on private land whose owners allow public access. And all are prime for fall viewing.

A word of warning: "You need to be careful around any waterfall, and stay away from the top," Regan says. "That's how people get seriously injured or killed."

We asked Regan to name some of his favorites.

•Overall favorite

Cullasaja Falls, off U.S. 64 in Macon County. "The short falls and cascades snake back and forth in the upper section. Depending on the amount of water, it either falls over a large rock face in fingerlike flows or - if the water's high - just a single sheet. It changes a lot depending on the flowage. Many falls do, but this one is much more distinctive. I've seen it both ways. I much prefer it with the fingerlike flows.

"It's easy to get to - just west of Highlands, at the end of the Cullasaja Gorge, but it's in a bad curve - a blind curve - on U.S. 64. There's a roadside pull-off, but you have to be careful of traffic."

•Most popular

Looking Glass Falls, in Pisgah National Forest. "Beyond a doubt, this gets the largest number of visitors: It's always crowded - probably up to 100 people at a time. The waterfall is relatively wide, has a sheer drop, and happens to be located next to U.S. 276. There's a good bit of parking, an observation deck, and has stairs that descend to its base."

•Most obscure

Waterfall on Scotsman Creek, between Cashiers and Highlands. "There are several that are hard to reach, but this one's down in a hole. You park at the entrance to a Forest Service road and walk back up the road for about a quarter-mile and listen for the running water - you still can't see the falls. Then you find a good spot to bushwhack down - and I do mean down. There's no real trail. Once down there, you see large, exposed rock surfaces with a sheer fall that runs over the rock. It's very unique.

"Another is the waterfall on Little Fall Branch, in northern Haywood County, in the Harmon Den area. It's in an unusual location: Most of the trail taking you there is really flat. You don't realize there's a waterfall until you get to it. The fall isn't very big, but it's definitely worth checking out because of the environment: Everything is moss-covered. The fall is a straight drop, and this is a tranquil place where you can just sit and enjoy nature."

•Best at daybreak

Rainbow Falls, in Transylvania County in Nantahala National Forest. "When sunlight hits the spray is a good time to catch rainbows in the mist. This one is mostly a sheer drop into a large pool. Overhead, it's very exposed - not overhung with trees."

•Best for skinny-dipping

"Skinny Dip Falls, of course. It's in Haywood County, off the Blue Ridge Parkway at MP 417. It's just a beautiful spot: The falls aren't huge but there's a beautiful, clear, cold pool in these fairly remote surroundings."

•Most romantic

"Skinny Dip, again for obvious reasons. But it's a popular place: I see other people - though not a huge number - most of the times I go. Most have their clothes on, by the way. It got its name honestly, but it's actually rare to see anyone with their clothes off."

•Best for families

Hooker Falls, in Dupont State Forest. "The walk is very short and easy and there's a small beach. It's also good for fishing, wading, or swimming."

•Best for picnicking

Pearsons Falls, in Tryon. "It's owned by the Tryon Garden Club, which has a picnic shelter and picnic tables positioned at a couple places along the trail."

•Best for viewing wildlife

"None really come to mind if you're talking about animals you'd like to see, if you don't count birds. But I've visited close to 100 waterfalls - maybe more - and I've seen the most snakes of any place in Dupont State Forest. I saw copperheads and black snakes there, and the black snakes feed on the copperheads. And the black snakes were huge, so you know they are eating very well.

"DuPont, by the way has five falls, four of which were featured in the movie Last of the Mohicans."

•Best for autumn viewing

Whitewater Falls, near Sapphire. "From the observation deck you get a wide view of the trees and the surrounding area. In fall, it's a palette of earth tones, from yellow to red."

•Easiest to photograph

"Looking Glass Falls... It's right there by the side of the road. You just have to get out of the car and walk up there."

•Hardest to photograph

Courthouse Falls, in the Balsam Grove area. "For light, the upper part of it is exposed because of the open tree canopy; the lower part, which is only partially exposed, has a horseshoe-shaped rock structure that resembles an amphitheater. It's very hard to catch the right light to capture both sides of the rock."

•Most fun

Sliding Rock, in Pisgah National Forest. "It's a slick slide into an 8-foot pool of ice-cold water. It feels great on a hot day. It doesn't matter how warm the air is: The water is always cold. It's nature's original water park."

First Published October 16, 2010, 4:37 p.m.