Lower Cold Branch Falls

Graham County, North Carolina

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Graham County, North Carolina
Access status: Roadside view from a forest road; steep scramble to base
The walk: Less than 0.1 miles; viewable from the road
Ground & access: Roadside view. The way to the base is a very steep off-trail scramble with no path.

Waterfall Hero: Lower Cold Branch Falls (Santeetlah) directions

From Robbinsville take NC 143 to Santeetlah Gap, about 10 miles. Bear right toward Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest and make an immediate left onto Old Santeetlah Road, which becomes gravel Forest Road 81. Drive about 6.5 miles and bear right on Wolf Laurel Road (FR 81F); the source saw no road number sign but a sign for a snow cabin. Go about a quarter mile and pull off where you can. The 40 foot falls on Cold Branch can be seen below the road. There is no trail to the base; it is a steep bushwhack.

Plan your visit

Roadside view from Wolf Laurel Road (Forest Road 81F), optional steep off-trail scramble to the base

Waterfall Hero lists a hike length of less than 0.1 miles. The falls can be seen from the road.

Roadside view. The way to the base is a very steep off-trail scramble with no path.

Where to start

Roadside pull-off on Wolf Laurel Road about 0.25 miles from Forest Road 81. Published coordinates: 35.34638, -83.99234.

Timing & water

Cold Branch gets small in dry weather; best after rain.

Before you go

No fee is mentioned in the sources read. Cheoah Ranger District, 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

Graham County, North Carolina.

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