WaterfallNear Me

Enloe 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 quarter mile is off trail with no path, and which of two Enloe Creek falls the point marks is not confirmed
The walk
Measured total not published; just under 2 miles up Hyatt Ridge Trail, a descent on Enloe Creek Trail to Raven Fork, then about a quarter mile upstream, one way
Ground & access
Steep maintained trails with more than 1,000 feet of climbing, then dense rhododendron, a log crossing and rock scrambling with no path or markers. The 2012 attempt failed to find the falls without a GPS waypoint.
Waterfall Hero Hikes: Mingo and Enloe Creek Falls, October 2014

From the Hyatt Ridge trailhead on Straight Fork Road (the continuation of Big Cove Road into the national park), climb Hyatt Ridge Trail for just under two miles, all uphill, to the Enloe Creek Trail junction. Turn left and descend to Raven Fork where Enloe Creek joins it; an 8-foot fall is just below the footbridge. Cross the footbridge and follow Enloe Creek Trail upstream about a quarter mile, then leave the trail where the rhododendron opens and bushwhack toward the creek. The 2014 party crossed the creek on a large log and climbed rocks to the base. Return the same way; the climb back up Enloe Creek Trail is strenuous.

Plan your visit

Hyatt Ridge Trail and Enloe Creek Trail, then off trail up Enloe Creek to Enloe Creek Falls

The October 2014 account gives just under two miles for Hyatt Ridge Trail and a quarter mile from the Raven Fork footbridge to the falls; it gives no figure for the Enloe Creek Trail descent and no total, so no return distance is stated here.

Steep maintained trails with more than 1,000 feet of climbing, then dense rhododendron, a log crossing and rock scrambling with no path or markers. The 2012 attempt failed to find the falls without a GPS waypoint.

Where to start

Hyatt Ridge trailhead on Straight Fork Road, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, reached from Cherokee by Big Cove Road past the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Exact parking capacity is not described.

Timing & water

The Park Service closure list does not name Hyatt Ridge or Enloe Creek trails, but several nearby Cataloochee-area trails carry Helene damage notes. Call the backcountry office for current conditions.

Before you go

National park; no entrance fee is stated by the sources. Check the park parking tag rules before you go.

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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