Buckeye Creek Falls

Watauga County, North Carolina

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Watauga County, North Carolina
Access status: Town park trail; loop bridge out since September 2024, out-and-back works
The walk: About 1 mile loop; currently walked as an out-and-back of about 0.8 miles
Ground & access: Dirt trail with rocks and roots and about 250 feet of elevation change. Rocks near the falls are slippery. Dogs on leash; no swimming.

Start behind the playground at the Buckeye Recreation Center on the white-blazed Falls Trail, which runs with the Buckeye Lake Loop. At the split in 0.2 miles turn right. The trail descends beside the creek to Grassy Gap Creek near its meeting with Buckeye Creek. The 25-foot falls is just upstream on Buckeye Creek, with a footbridge below it for the view. Return the same way while the loop bridge is out.

Plan your visit

Falls Trail from the Buckeye Recreation Center to Buckeye Creek Falls

The Town of Beech Mountain lists the Falls Trail as a one-mile loop. A bridge below the falls was destroyed in September 2024, so the town says the trail is now an out-and-back to the waterfall. Waterfall Hero gives 0.8 miles for the walk to the falls and back.

Dirt trail with rocks and roots and about 250 feet of elevation change. Rocks near the falls are slippery. Dogs on leash; no swimming.

Where to start

Buckeye Recreation Center, 1330 Pine Ridge Road, Beech Mountain. The town lists 20 parking spaces, restrooms and water fountains at the trailhead.

Timing & water

Open year round. The bridge below the waterfall was destroyed by flooding in September 2024, so the loop cannot be completed until the bridges are rebuilt.

Before you go

Town trail; no fee is stated. The recreation center is open year round, seven days.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

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

Explore North Carolina

Waterfall location

Watauga County, North Carolina.

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