Melrose Falls

Polk County, North Carolina

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Polk County, North Carolina
Access status: Partial guide: open trail, but road access affected by the US 176 closure
The walk: About 1 mile return
Ground & access: Mostly easy trail with wet-weather creek crossings, then a steep drop to an exposed cliff where a fall would be fatal. Poison ivy at the overlook.

From the pull-off between the two bridges over the North Pacolet River, walk up the old road past the boulders and gate. At the first fork after about 0.1 mile bear left (right goes to the railroad). At the second fork, about 0.4 mile in, take the upper trail; it ends with a steep descent to a cliff overlook of the 60-foot falls. Do not climb down from there. The overgrown lower trail from the second fork leads toward the bottom sections.

Plan your visit

Twin Bridges pull-off on US 176 to the Melrose Falls overlook

Waterfall Hero gives 1.0 mile for the whole out-and-back hike; Polk Trails lists the trail as 1/2 mile.

Mostly easy trail with wet-weather creek crossings, then a steep drop to an exposed cliff where a fall would be fatal. Poison ivy at the overlook.

Where to start

Small pull-off on US 176 between the two bridges over the North Pacolet River (Twin Bridges area), about 3.3 miles from the Ozone Drive junction near I-26 exit 59, with room for a few more cars across the road. US 176 between Saluda and Tryon has been closed since Hurricane Helene; NCDOT says about a mile of road is damaged and expects reopening in late 2029. Whether this pull-off can be reached during the closure was not confirmed.

Timing & water

Polk Trails lists the trail as open, but road access is uncertain while US 176 is closed.

Before you go

No fee stated. The land is owned by the Pacolet Area Conservancy and open to the public.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore North Carolina

Waterfall location

Polk County, North Carolina.

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