Middle Gragg Prong Falls
Avery County, North Carolina
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- 16 ft (5 m)
- Location
- Avery County, North Carolina
- Access status
- National forest trail; three creek crossings
- The walk
- About 1.2 miles each way
- Ground & access
- Moderate trail with three water crossings. Rocks are slippery.
From Linville head east on Roseboro Road to the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 308.2 and cross it. The road becomes narrow, steep, winding gravel. After about 4 miles it is paved for about 0.5 miles through Roseboro, then becomes Forest Road 981. Go 0.3 miles more to a parking area on the right just past the bridge over Gragg Prong. Cross back over the bridge and go left on Lost Cove Trail (#262), also part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, downstream along the right bank (facing downstream). Cross the creek at about half a mile, pass the path to Upper Gragg Prong Falls at 0.7 miles, make two more crossings between 1 and 1.1 miles, and reach the falls at 1.2 miles: two drops into a large swimming pool.
Plan your visit
Lost Cove Trail (#262) parking on Forest Road 981 at the Gragg Prong bridge, downstream along Gragg Prong
Waterfall Hero says the trail passes the falls at 1.2 miles and lists a hike length of 2.4 miles.
Moderate trail with three water crossings. Rocks are slippery.
Where to start
Parking area on the right of Forest Road 981 just past the Gragg Prong bridge. Published trailhead coordinates: 36.03162, -81.80329.
Timing & water
The Forest Service reopened the Mountains to Sea Lost Cove Loop section in January 2025 after Hurricane Helene, with storm hazards possible. The status of Roseboro Road and Forest Road 981 was not confirmed.
Before you go
No fee is mentioned in the sources read. Wilson Creek area, Grandfather Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Gragg Prong FallsNational forest trail with wet creek crossings33 ft (10 m) · Avery County, NC0.2 miE
- Upper Gragg Prong FallsNational forest trail with a wade across Gragg ProngAvery County, NC0.3 miN
- Huntfish Sidekick FallsForest Service trail; side view and base of Sidekick Falls at the trail endAvery County, NC0.7 miSW
- Huntfish FallsSigned national forest trail; steep return; current storm-recovery status not confirmedAvery County, NC0.7 miSW
- Bard FallsPublished national forest trail route; creek wadeAvery County, NC1.5 miS
- Little Lost Cove FallsPartial: forest road walk, then a steep rough path with off-trail scramblingAvery County, NC1.8 miW
- Upper Little Lost Cove FallsPartial: walk on a road closed to vehicles, then an unsigned steep path; older route descriptionAvery County, NC1.9 miW
- Thorps Creek FallsNational forest trail from a campgroundCaldwell County, NC2.7 miSE
- Chestnut Cove Branch FallsNational forest trails; wading for the viewAvery County, NC2.7 miSW