Fishtop Falls
Polk County, North Carolina
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Polk County, North Carolina
- Access status
- Partial: short game land path; access road status after Helene unconfirmed
- The walk
- About a quarter mile each way
- Ground & access
- Moderate, short, with a rough path and a squeeze past a boulder. Rocks are slippery.
From I-26 Exit 59 at Saluda, head east on Holbert Cove Road and in less than 0.1 miles turn left on Green River Cove Road. Drive 2.4 miles to the large Fishtop Access Area on the left. From the kiosk, cross a small stream, and in less than 100 yards take the left fork, which climbs for a couple hundred yards and then drops 50 yards to rejoin the river path. Squeeze between rhododendron and a boulder, descend to the river, and Fishtop Falls is about 100 yards upstream. It is a Class V rapid on the Green River below The Narrows rather than a tall waterfall. This is a partial guide: Kevin Adams noted after Hurricane Helene that Green River Cove Road was closed to everyone except property owners, and the current status is unconfirmed.
Plan your visit
Fishtop Access Area on Green River Cove Road, riverside path upstream to Fishtop Falls
NC Waterfalls gives about a quarter mile one way, rated a moderate Class I bushwhack.
Moderate, short, with a rough path and a squeeze past a boulder. Rocks are slippery.
Where to start
Fishtop Access Area, Green River Game Land, on the left of Green River Cove Road 2.4 miles from Holbert Cove Road. Published trailhead coordinates: 35.264007, -82.324722.
Timing & water
Green River Cove Road was reported closed to everyone except property owners after Hurricane Helene. Check the road status before visiting.
Before you go
No fee is mentioned. Green River Game Land, NC Wildlife Resources Commission.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Loobie FallsPolk County, NC0.8 miNE
- Stairstep FallsGame land trails with a creek crossing and steep scramblePolk County, NC1.0 miNE
- Sunshine FallsGame land trail and extremely steep roped path to the riverPolk County, NC1.1 miNW
- Pulliam Creek FallsPartial guide: the last stretch up Pulliam Creek and current game land access are not confirmedPolk County, NC1.1 miNW
- Emily FallsGame land trail; short easy walkPolk County, NC1.4 miN
- Little Bradley FallsPolk Trails marks the trail open; creek crossings required.49 ft (15 m) · Polk County, NC2.0 miSE
- Big Bradley FallsWritten approval required; trail organization reports Helene closure75 ft (23 m) · Polk County, NC2.1 miE
- Briefcase FallsPartial guide: bushwhack finish, hiker parking permission uncertain, storm damage unverifiedHenderson County, NC2.3 miNW
- Case FallsPartial guide: hiker parking at the turnaround is not confirmed and post-storm conditions are unreportedHenderson County, NC2.3 miNW