Lower Wildcat Falls
Haywood County, North Carolina
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- 39 ft (12 m)
- Location
- Haywood County, North Carolina
- Access status
- National forest; steep off-trail descent and river crossing
- The walk
- Less than 0.1 miles each way
- Ground & access
- Difficult. Very steep off-trail bank with downed trees, a river crossing and possible wading. Slippery rock.
From the Blue Ridge Parkway take NC 215 north about 1.9 to 2 miles to a pull-off on the right with a primitive campsite (just past the pull-off for Bubbling Spring Branch Cascades). In winter the 40 foot falls can be seen through the trees across the West Fork Pigeon River, a little way down the road. For a close view, walk north on the road shoulder and pick a spot to go down very steeply to the river; there is no trail. Go upstream a short way to where the tributary enters, cross the river, and the falls is right at the confluence. A pool in front may need to be waded.
Plan your visit
Pull-off on NC 215, steep off-trail descent to the West Fork Pigeon River, cross to the tributary confluence
Waterfall Hero lists a hike length of 0.2 miles. Take a Hike calls it very short.
Difficult. Very steep off-trail bank with downed trees, a river crossing and possible wading. Slippery rock.
Where to start
Pull-off on the right side of NC 215 about 2 miles north of the Parkway. Published trailhead coordinates: 35.31511, -82.90854.
Timing & water
Leaves hide the roadside view in summer. Do not cross the river in high water.
Before you go
No fee is mentioned in the sources read. Pisgah National Forest.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Middle Wildcat FallsHaywood County, NC0.0 miSE
- Bubbling Spring Branch CascadesShort roadside scramble documented by two firsthand sourcesHaywood County, NC0.2 miSW
- Little Sam FallsHaywood County, NC0.2 miN
- Wildcat FallsForest trail to a bridge at the falls197 ft (60 m) · Haywood County, NC0.2 miSE
- Split FallsHaywood County, NC0.5 miS
- Little Wildcat FallsRoadside view; needs high waterHaywood County, NC0.5 miSW
- Waterfalls of Flat Laurel CreekPartial: trail to the cascades documented; which cascade this listing marks is not confirmedHaywood County, NC0.9 miNE
- Lower Bubbling Spring Branch FallsShort unofficial creekside path with crossingsHaywood County, NC1.0 miS
- Upper Bubbling Spring Branch FallsNational forest; short creekside path with several crossingsHaywood County, NC1.0 miS