Big Bradley Falls
Polk County, North Carolina
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- 75 ft (23 m)
- Location
- Polk County, North Carolina
- Access status
- Written approval required; trail organization reports Helene closure
- The walk
- Restricted access; distance unknown
- Ground & access
- Primitive trail with a stream crossing; coalition warns against attempting the waterfall base.
NC Wildlife requires written approval for the restricted zone. Rutherford Outdoor Coalition additionally reports the trail closed after Hurricane Helene.
Plan your visit
Big Bradley Falls restricted zone
No verified current open-route distance.
Primitive trail with a stream crossing; coalition warns against attempting the waterfall base.
Where to start
Holbert Cove Road is identified by the coalition, but currently usable parking is not verified.
Timing & water
The land manager says restrictions remain until further notice.
Before you go
Apply using the manager’s Individual or Outfitter Memorandum of Agreement. Approval requirements do not establish that storm-damaged access is open.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Little Bradley FallsPolk Trails marks the trail open; creek crossings required.49 ft (15 m) · Polk County, NC1.0 miS
- Milton Bradley FallsPartial: access road closed after Helene; route documented before the stormPolk County, NC1.4 miNE
- Bradley Cooper FallsPolk County, NC1.4 miNE
- Marilou Bradley FallsPartial: pre-Helene route; access road under repairPolk County, NC1.5 miNE
- Loobie FallsPolk County, NC1.6 miW
- Stairstep FallsGame land trails with a creek crossing and steep scramblePolk County, NC1.6 miNW
- Lower Cavern FallsPolk County, NC1.6 miNE
- Cavern FallsPolk County, NC1.6 miNE
- Emily FallsGame land trail; short easy walkPolk County, NC2.0 miNW