WaterfallNear Me

High Falls

Clay County, North Carolina

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height
Not recorded
Location
Clay County, North Carolina
Access status
Wilderness trail; creek crossings
The walk
About 2.5 miles each way
Ground & access
Difficult. Two crossings of Beech Creek that may need wading in high water, then switchbacks. Rocks are very slippery.
Waterfall Hero: High Falls (Southern Nantahala) directions

The usual approach is through Georgia. From Clayton, Georgia, go west on US 76 for 7.5 miles, turn right on Persimmon Road for 4.2 miles, then left on Tallulah River Road. It becomes Tate City Road and then Forest Road 56 in North Carolina. Less than a mile past the state line, park on the left by a primitive campsite. Take Beech Creek Trail (#378) across the road, over a ridge and down to Beech Creek, cross it and follow the old mining road upstream. Pass Bull Cove Falls at about 0.9 miles, cross Beech Creek again, and continue up the gorge past an old rock wall. After the switchbacks start, at the next switchback to the left about half a mile on, a path goes straight to High Falls, about a quarter mile to the base. The source saw a wooden sign at this path.

Plan your visit

Lower Beech Creek trailhead on Forest Road 56 (Tate City Road), Beech Creek Trail past Bull Cove Falls, then a signed side path to High Falls

Waterfall Hero gives a hike length of 5.0 miles for this out-and-back walk. Take a Hike lists the falls as part of an 8.5 mile Beech Creek loop.

Difficult. Two crossings of Beech Creek that may need wading in high water, then switchbacks. Rocks are very slippery.

Where to start

Pull-off on the left of Forest Road 56 next to a primitive campsite, less than a mile into North Carolina. Published trailhead coordinates: 34.99875, -83.55669.

Timing & water

Creek crossings can require wading in high water. Current trail conditions were not confirmed.

Before you go

No fee is mentioned in the sources read. Southern Nantahala Wilderness, Nantahala National Forest.

Visitor information
Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

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

Explore North Carolina

Waterfall location

Clay County, North Carolina.

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