Lower Cavern Falls

Jackson County, North Carolina

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Jackson County, North Carolina
Access status: Partial: overgrown old roads, two creek wades and a bushwhack; no trail
The walk: About 5.4 miles return
Ground & access: Overgrown old roads, two wades of Tanasee Creek that are only dry in very dry weather, then a steep bushwhack. Waterfall Hero says the route is not dog friendly.

Waterfall Hero: Cavern Falls (Tanasee Creek Gorge)

Follow the old logging road from the end of the parking area upstream above Tanasee Creek; at the open area after just over half a mile, go right to stay on national forest land. At 2 miles, wade Tanasee Creek, follow the left bank (facing downstream) about 0.3 miles, and wade back. The roads here are overgrown and confusing; use the upper road farther from the creek. At 2.6 miles it crosses the tributary. Go about 50 feet past the crossing and bushwhack up to the left, away from the rhododendron by the creek, then cut over to the creek at about 3,480 feet elevation to reach Lower Cavern Falls, about 20 feet high in two sections.

Plan your visit

Wolf Mountain Road pull-off, overgrown old roads through Tanasee Creek Gorge with two fords, then off-trail up a tributary to Lower Cavern Falls

Waterfall Hero lists 5.4 miles for the hike to Cavern Falls; Lower Cavern Falls is a short way below it on the same tributary. The upper old road crosses the tributary at 2.6 miles; the climb from there is off trail and not measured.

Overgrown old roads, two wades of Tanasee Creek that are only dry in very dry weather, then a steep bushwhack. Waterfall Hero says the route is not dog friendly.

Where to start

Pull-off on the right side of Wolf Mountain Road, 0.4 miles past its start at Tanasee Creek Road, which leaves NC 281 just after the bridge where Tanasee Creek forms Tanasee Creek Lake. Wolf Mountain Road becomes four-wheel-drive only shortly after the pull-off. Published coordinates: 35.22208, -82.97241.

Timing & water

No current condition report was found. The route description dates from July 2021. High water makes the two fords unsafe.

Before you go

Nantahala National Forest; no fee is stated by the source. Private land borders part of the route.

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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