Bartram Falls

Graham County, North Carolina

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Graham County, North Carolina
Access status: National forest trail with creek crossings
The walk: About 2.6 miles one way, 5.2 miles return
Ground & access: Moderate, with a steep climb. Two creek crossings that may need wading in high water; a footbridge at the start had washed away at the author's visit.

Waterfall Hero Hikes: Bartram Falls (Ledbetter)

Bartram Falls is a 30-foot falls on Ledbetter Creek in the Cheoah Backcountry Area of Nantahala National Forest. From the parking area, take the path up over the railroad tracks to the yellow-blazed Bartram Trail and turn left across Ledbetter Creek. The trail climbs steeply for about 0.8 mile, then descends to a creek crossing at 1.6 miles and another just before 2 miles. Stay on the same side of the creek, the right bank as the water flows, about 0.6 mile to the falls, which are seen from the trail. The base is overgrown.

Plan your visit

Small parking area off US 74/19 in the Nantahala Gorge, path over the railroad to the Bartram Trail, then north up Ledbetter Creek to Bartram Falls

Waterfall Hero gives a 5.2-mile hike: two creek crossings by about 2 miles, then about 0.6 mile more to the falls. The one-way figure is half of that.

Moderate, with a steep climb. Two creek crossings that may need wading in high water; a footbridge at the start had washed away at the author's visit.

Where to start

Small parking area on the right of US 74/19 about 16.4 miles from the US 19 junction south of Bryson City (trailhead GPS 35.28261, -83.67382).

Timing & water

Creek crossings can be wades in high water.

Before you go

No fee mentioned.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore North Carolina

Waterfall location

Graham County, North Carolina.

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