WaterfallNear Me

Bear Creek Falls

Swain County, North Carolina

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height
Not recorded
Location
Swain County, North Carolina
Access status
Partial guide: the final 0.2-mile descent has no trail
The walk
About 4.7 miles each way (source figure), including a 0.2-mile bushwhack
Ground & access
Long trail walk with climbs, then an unmarked off-trail descent through rhododendron.
NCWaterfalls.com: Bear Creek Falls

From the parking area at the end of Lakeview Drive in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, walk Lakeshore Trail through the tunnel and on to Forney Creek. Turn right up Forney Creek Trail, then left on Bear Creek Trail across two auto bridges. Climb to a left switchback at Welch Branch and continue about 0.4 mile until the falls are heard. No trail leads down; the source gives the leaving point as GPS 35.47257, -83.57304, then less than 0.2 mile through woods and rhododendron to the falls.

Plan your visit

End of Lakeview Drive (Road to Nowhere) via Lakeshore, Forney Creek and Bear Creek trails, then a short off-trail descent

NCWaterfalls.com lists about 4.7 miles hike distance with a 0.2-mile bushwhack; its narrative describes the hike to the falls one way.

Long trail walk with climbs, then an unmarked off-trail descent through rhododendron.

Where to start

Parking area at the end of Lakeview Drive, 8.7 miles from US 19 in Bryson City (Everett Street, which becomes Fontana Road and then Lakeview Drive).

Timing & water

Year round; the source suggests the falls are easier to see in winter. Current trail status unverified.

Before you go

National park rules apply; check current Great Smoky Mountains National Park parking requirements. No reservation needed for day hiking.

Visitor information
Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

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

Explore North Carolina

Waterfall location

Swain County, North Carolina.

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