Laurel Creek Falls

Watauga County, North Carolina

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Watauga County, North Carolina
Access status: Partial: short informal path; landowner and permission not confirmed
The walk: About 0.2 miles
Ground & access: Short, informal creekside path. The rocks are slippery. Crossing US 321 on foot needs care.

Waterfall Hero: Laurel Creek Falls (Watauga)

Park completely off the road at the pull-off. Carefully cross US 321 and pick up a makeshift path that follows Laurel Creek upstream past cascades just above the road. The 25-foot waterfall and its swimming hole are just above these cascades. Return the same way. Waterfall Hero does not know who owns the land.

Plan your visit

US 321 pull-off past the Watauga River bridge, path up Laurel Creek to the falls

Waterfall Hero lists the hike length as 0.2 miles. It does not say whether this is one way or return.

Short, informal creekside path. The rocks are slippery. Crossing US 321 on foot needs care.

Where to start

Pull-off on the right side of US 321, 5.4 miles west of the US 421/US 321 junction west of Boone, just past the bridge over the Watauga River. Park completely off the road. Published coordinates: 36.25405, -81.85268.

Timing & water

No closure is stated. Waterfall Hero says crowds are very high in warm weather.

Before you go

Landowner unknown. Waterfall Hero says public access seems to be permitted but could not confirm it. No fee.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

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

Explore North Carolina

Waterfall location

Watauga County, North Carolina.

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