Little East Fork Falls
Haywood County, North Carolina
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Haywood County, North Carolina
- Access status
- Partial: wilderness trail; sources give different distances to the falls
- The walk
- About 1.1 to 1.3 miles each way
- Ground & access
- Moderate trail climb, then a very steep, difficult path down to the creek.
This is a partial guide. From Waynesville head south on US 276 about 6 miles, turn right on NC 215, drive about 5 miles and turn left on Little East Fork Road. Go just under 4 miles, through Camp Daniel Boone, to the national forest parking area before a bridge over the river. Cross the bridge, walk through the camp and follow Little East Fork Trail (#107) upstream into the Shining Rock Wilderness. Just over a mile in, where a big gnarled tree stands on the left as the trail bends slightly right, a very steep path drops behind the tree to the base of the falls. The falls can also be seen from the trail. Sources give different distances to the falls.
Plan your visit
National forest parking at Camp Daniel Boone, Little East Fork Trail (#107) upstream to a steep path down at a gnarled tree
Take a Hike gives just over a mile to the gnarled tree and about 2.5 miles round trip. A 2018 Waterfall Hero account reached the gnarled tree and path at 1.3 miles. A 2025 club hike notice places the small falls at the two mile mark after leaving the camp.
Moderate trail climb, then a very steep, difficult path down to the creek.
Where to start
National Forest parking area at Camp Daniel Boone, just before the bridge. Published trailhead coordinates: 35.38678, -82.89573.
Timing & water
A December 2025 club notice described the trail as in excellent shape, though wet in a few spots.
Before you go
No fee is mentioned in the sources read. Shining Rock Wilderness limits groups to 10 people.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Boulderfield Falls164 ft (50 m) · Haywood County, NC1.1 miSE
- Little Bird FallsWilderness path; very short walk from NC 215Haywood County, NC1.9 miSW
- Wash Hollow FallsShort path with a creek crossing from a highway pull-off49 ft (15 m) · Haywood County, NC2.0 miS
- Lower Sam Branch FallsNational forest; short scramble path across a landslideHaywood County, NC2.1 miS
- Sam Branch FallsPartial guide: no trail; roadside shoulder parking; creek walk for experienced hikers only66 ft (20 m) · Haywood County, NC2.2 miS
- Sunburst FallsRoadside view from an NC 215 pullout in Pisgah National ForestHaywood County, NC2.3 miS
- Upper Greasy Cove FallsHaywood County, NC2.7 miSE
- Lower Middle Prong FallsPartial guide: steep off-trail finish; sources call this waterfall Middle Prong FallsHaywood County, NC3.1 miSW
- Upper Middle Prong FallsPartial guide: route is to Middle Prong Falls as a whole; the exact upper drop is not identifiedHaywood County, NC3.1 miSW