Frolictown Falls

Jackson County, North Carolina

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Jackson County, North Carolina
Access status: Marked Panthertown trails from the Salt Rock Gap access
The walk: About 2 miles return (about 1.0 mile one way)
Ground & access: Old road grade with a moderate descent; short scramble to the base. Rocks are slippery and the water is naturally tannin-stained.

Discover Jackson County: Frolictown Falls

Frolictown Falls is a creek-wide, nearly vertical drop of about 15 feet on Frolictown Creek on the west side of Panthertown Valley. From the Salt Rock Gap gate, descend Panthertown Valley Trail (#474) 0.3 mile to the Salt Rock view and on to a road fork at 0.59 mile; take the right fork, Deep Gap Trail (#449), for about 0.43 mile to the ford of Frolictown Creek. Twenty yards before the ford a side path on the left leads a few yards to the base of the falls; the path on the right leads to Wilderness Falls.

Plan your visit

Salt Rock Gap trailhead via Panthertown Valley and Deep Gap trails to Frolictown Falls

Discover Jackson County gives 0.59 mile on Panthertown Valley Trail to the road fork and 0.43 mile on Deep Gap Trail to the Frolictown Creek ford, about 1.0 mile one way. Its listed distance of 1 mile is one way. Waterfall Hero lists a 3.8 mile outing that also visits Wilderness and Granny Burrell falls.

Old road grade with a moderate descent; short scramble to the base. Rocks are slippery and the water is naturally tannin-stained.

Where to start

Salt Rock Gap (west) parking area at the end of Breedlove Road: from US 64 about 2 miles east of Cashiers take Cedar Creek Road 2.3 miles, then Breedlove Road 3.5 miles to the gate. Trailhead GPS 35.16793, -83.03980 per Waterfall Hero.

Timing & water

Open year round. Carry a Panthertown trail map; the many old roads can confuse.

Before you go

Nantahala National Forest, Panthertown Valley backcountry area. No fee. Bear-resistant containers are required for overnight camping.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

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

Explore North Carolina

Waterfall location

Jackson County, North Carolina.

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