Billy Branch Falls

Forest Road 476 and the South Mills River Trail to the side path up Billy Branch

The October 2025 account measures 1.7 miles from the current parking at the FR 476 gate to the concrete bridge on the South Mills River Trail; the Billy Branch side path is a few minutes beyond. The return figure doubles that one-way measurement. If FR 476 reopens to its end, the walk is 1.4 miles shorter.

Gravel road, then a riverside trail that is narrow in places with wet, slippery spots. The last stretch is an unmarked path. The river crossing to High Falls is not needed for this waterfall.

Where to start

The current parking is beside the gate 0.6 miles down FR 476 from Yellow Gap Road (FS 1206), 3.3 miles from US 276. Do not block the gate or FR 5018. The October 2025 account did not know whether the gate is permanent. The Forest Service lists Yellow Gap Road as open from US 276 to the Wolf Ford Horse Camp, which is this turn.

Timing & water

Open year round. The Forest Service Helene page lists the road status; FR 476 was partly open as of October 2025. In high water the river may be unsafe, but this waterfall is before the river crossing.

Before you go

National forest trailhead; no fee is stated by the sources.