Big Beartrap Falls
Haywood County, North Carolina
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Haywood County, North Carolina
- Access status
- Documented wilderness approach; last half mile on a steep unofficial path
- The walk
- About 6.4 miles return
- Ground & access
- Gravel forest roads, then about half a mile of steep, narrow, unofficial path. Rocks near the falls are very slippery. Not dog friendly.
From NC 215 just past Sunburst Campground, turn onto Forest Road 97 and park at the gate about a quarter mile in, after the ford. Walk FR 97 about 1.5 miles to the second switchback, then follow FR 97H upstream along Middle Prong past Little Beartrap Falls. At a fork just under a mile on, go right onto an unnamed road for 0.2 mile to Big Beartrap Branch. A steep, narrow path on the right climbs along the creek 0.4 mile to the lower falls; continue a short way to the base of the main upper drop. Return the same way.
Plan your visit
Forest Road 97 and FR 97H from the NC 215 gate, then an unofficial creekside path up Big Beartrap Branch
Waterfall Hero Hikes lists a 6.4-mile hike. Its directions add up to about 1.5 miles on FR 97, just under 1 mile on FR 97H, 0.2 mile on a side road and 0.4 mile on the creek path, each way. Driving past the gate when open shortens it.
Gravel forest roads, then about half a mile of steep, narrow, unofficial path. Rocks near the falls are very slippery. Not dog friendly.
Where to start
At the Forest Road 97 gate about a quarter mile from NC 215, just after a ford (trailhead GPS 35.37057, -82.93944). If the gate is open you can drive about half way.
Timing & water
Gate status on FR 97 varies; current status not verified.
Before you go
No fee or booking stated. The falls are in the Middle Prong Wilderness, Pisgah National Forest.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Upper Middle Prong FallsPartial guide: route is to Middle Prong Falls as a whole; the exact upper drop is not identifiedHaywood County, NC0.8 miNE
- Lower Middle Prong FallsPartial guide: steep off-trail finish; sources call this waterfall Middle Prong FallsHaywood County, NC0.8 miNE
- Berry Branch FallsForest road walk then off-trail; final approach not described in detailHaywood County, NC0.9 miNE
- Little Beartrap FallsGated forest roads; view from the old road crossingHaywood County, NC0.9 miN
- Buckeye FallsPartial: wilderness trail then an off-trail creek walk66 ft (20 m) · Haywood County, NC1.4 miSE
- Boomer Inn FallsHaywood County, NC2.1 miN
- Sheephead FallsHaywood County, NC2.3 miSE
- Little Bird FallsWilderness path; very short walk from NC 215Haywood County, NC2.3 miE
- Upper Buckeye FallsHaywood County, NC2.5 miSE