Jawbone Falls
Jackson County, North Carolina
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Jackson County, North Carolina
- Access status
- Named national forest trails, then a short informal path to the base
- The walk
- About 4.5 miles return
- Ground & access
- Switchbacks and forest trails with a descent to the river; final path to the base is informal. Rocks are very slippery.
Jawbone Falls is a sliding waterfall on the upper Tuckasegee River in Panthertown Valley, Nantahala National Forest. From the Cold Mountain Gap parking area, take Panthertown Valley Trail (#474) down the switchbacks. In about a mile turn right on Devils Elbow Trail (#448). After about another mile, past the Little Green Creek crossing, bear left on Riding Ford Trail (#450) and descend to the ford. Do not cross; go left on a path through the woods past a campsite to the base of Jawbone Falls. Riding Ford Falls is immediately downstream of the ford.
Plan your visit
Cold Mountain Gap access to Panthertown Valley via Panthertown Valley, Devils Elbow and Riding Ford trails to Jawbone Falls
Waterfall Hero lists 4.5 miles for the hike, which also includes Riding Ford Falls just downstream of the ford. About 1 mile on Panthertown Valley Trail, about 1 mile on Devils Elbow Trail, then Riding Ford Trail to the river.
Switchbacks and forest trails with a descent to the river; final path to the base is informal. Rocks are very slippery.
Where to start
Cold Mountain Gap access parking at the end of Cold Mountain Road: from NC 281, bear left on Cold Mountain Road, go 5.7 miles to the end, turn left on the gravel road and right into the parking area.
Timing & water
The route description dates from 2020. Current trail condition not verified.
Before you go
No fee is mentioned in the reviewed sources.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Riding Ford FallsBackcountry trail route from Cold Mountain GapJackson County, NC0.1 miNE
Warden FallsForest trails, then a steep scramble path to the baseJackson County, NC0.2 miSW- Elbow FallsPanthertown trails and a defined side path from the Cold Mountain Gap accessJackson County, NC0.3 miN
- Red Butt FallsNational forest trails; short unofficial path and scrambleJackson County, NC0.5 miN
- Lichen FallsPartial guide: river wade with no trail; location given by description onlyJackson County, NC0.7 miN
Schoolhouse FallsNational forest trailsJackson County, NC0.7 miS- Pothole FallsShort backcountry trail from Cold Mountain GapJackson County, NC1.2 miS
- Mac's FallsNational forest trail; short side pathJackson County, NC1.3 miS
- Coolidge FallsJackson County, NC1.4 miW