Lower Falls
Wilkes County, North Carolina
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Wilkes County, North Carolina
- Access status
- Partial guide: usual route closed for stair work; alternative total distance not published
- The walk
- Total not published; about 3/4 mile from Hutchinson Homestead to the falls trail, then about 1 mile to Lower Falls, one way
- Ground & access
- Moderate trail with two creek crossings; slippery rock and a scramble to the base.
The park has closed the Stone Mountain Loop Trail from the chimney near the Upper Trailhead down to the Middle Falls/Lower Falls Trail, so the usual approach past Stone Mountain Falls is not available. From the Lower Trailhead, follow the loop past the Wolf Rock Trail and up to Hutchinson Homestead, then about 3/4 mile down along a tributary to the blue-blazed Middle Falls/Lower Falls Trail. Follow it past the Middle Falls spur and two crossings of Big Sandy Creek; near its end a scramble path leads down to Lower Falls.
Plan your visit
Stone Mountain Loop Trail from the Lower Trailhead past Hutchinson Homestead, then the Middle Falls/Lower Falls Trail
NC State Parks lists the Middle Falls/Lower Falls Trail as 1 mile one way. Waterfall Hero gives 3/4 mile on the loop from Hutchinson Homestead to that trail. The distance from the Lower Trailhead to the homestead was not found, so no total is given. The usual route from the Upper Trailhead (3.2 miles return) passes the closed section.
Moderate trail with two creek crossings; slippery rock and a scramble to the base.
Where to start
Lower Trailhead lot near Hutchinson Homestead, Stone Mountain State Park (park address 3042 Frank Parkway, Roaring Gap). Upper Trailhead parking is limited during the closure.
Timing & water
The waterfall section of the Stone Mountain Loop Trail has been closed since November 3, 2025 for stair replacement and remains closed until further notice.
Before you go
No fee for day use.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Middle FallsPartial guide: part of the park loop trail is closed; check with the park before goingWilkes County, NC0.4 miN
- Stone Mountain FallsWilkes County, NC0.6 miNE
- Bullhead Creek FallsState park trailhead; very short walkWilkes County, NC2.1 miNW
- Widows FallsState park; short path from a roadside parking areaWilkes County, NC2.2 miNW
- Upper Widows Creek FallsPartial guide: state park trail; effect of a posted Mountains-to-Sea Trail closure on the shared section is not statedWilkes County, NC3.2 miNW
- Bullhead Creek CascadesWilkes County, NC4.0 miNW
- Incredible Falls98 ft (30 m) · Wilkes County, NC4.4 miNW
- Carter FallsSigned public trail from a gravel trailhead lotWilkes County, NC11 miSE
- Amadehy FallsState park trail to falls view; base reached by short steep bushwhackWilkes County, NC18 miSW