Bard Falls
Avery County, North Carolina
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Avery County, North Carolina
- Access status
- Published national forest trail route; creek wade
- The walk
- About 3.4 miles return
- Ground & access
- Moderate trail. The creek crossing usually requires wading. Slippery rock at the falls.
From the small lot for North Harper Creek Shortcut (Trail 266A) on gravel FR 464, descend 1 mile to North Harper Creek at a campsite. Follow North Harper Creek Trail (266) downstream. The trail crosses the creek at about 1.3 miles. About 0.4 mile later it passes the top of Bard Falls; a couple hundred feet on, an obvious path drops to the base. A large pothole sits beside the falls.
Plan your visit
North Harper Creek Shortcut (266A) and North Harper Creek Trail (266) downstream to Bard Falls
Waterfall Hero lists 3.4 miles hike length: 1 mile on the shortcut, then about 0.7 mile downstream on Trail 266 to the falls, and back.
Moderate trail. The creek crossing usually requires wading. Slippery rock at the falls.
Where to start
Small parking area for Trail 266A on FR 464, about 5.8 miles from Mortimer Road (Waterfall Hero) or about half a mile past the Hunt Fish Falls parking.
Timing & water
National forest roads and trails in western North Carolina have had Helene-related closures; the USFS alerts page refers visitors to its Helene Information page for a full list. Current status of this route unverified. Do not wade the creek in high water.
Before you go
No fee or reservation found in reviewed sources.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Huntfish Sidekick FallsForest Service trail; side view and base of Sidekick Falls at the trail endAvery County, NC0.9 miN
- Huntfish FallsSigned national forest trail; steep return; current storm-recovery status not confirmedAvery County, NC0.9 miN
- South Harper Creek FallsAvery County, NC1.4 miS
- Upper South Harper Creek FallsAvery County, NC1.5 miS
- Middle Gragg Prong FallsNational forest trail; three creek crossings16 ft (5 m) · Avery County, NC1.5 miN
- Gragg Prong FallsNational forest trail with wet creek crossings33 ft (10 m) · Avery County, NC1.5 miNE
- Upper Gragg Prong FallsNational forest trail with a wade across Gragg ProngAvery County, NC1.8 miN
- Chestnut Cove Branch FallsNational forest trails; wading for the viewAvery County, NC1.9 miW
- Harper Creek FallsPartial: Harper Creek Trail closed after Hurricane HeleneCaldwell County, NC1.9 miSE