Patricia Falls

Jackson County, North Carolina

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Jackson County, North Carolina
Access status: Difficult unofficial creek paths from a Forest Service recreation area
The walk: About a mile, on rough unofficial paths
Ground & access: Unofficial paths, steep and overgrown in places, with creek crossings. NCWaterfalls rates the hike difficult and calls parts a goat path.

Cross Wolf Creek on the footbridge and follow the trail to Balsam Lake Dam. At the dam an unofficial path heads downstream past Balsam Falls. Continue to the pool below Lower Balsam Falls and cross the creek near a small island, then follow the rough path downstream. After a small side stream, cross Wolf Creek, climb the bank, and keep straight on the newer route that circles above the cliffs before dropping to the falls.

Plan your visit

Balsam Lake Recreation Area past Balsam Lake Dam and down Wolf Creek on unofficial paths to Patricia Falls

NCWaterfalls lists the hike distance as about a mile. The page does not say whether this is one way or return.

Unofficial paths, steep and overgrown in places, with creek crossings. NCWaterfalls rates the hike difficult and calls parts a goat path.

Where to start

Balsam Lake Recreation Area on Charleys Creek Road (SR 1756), 5.3 miles from NC 215 (turn 3.2 miles south of the Blue Ridge Parkway) or 5.4 miles from NC 281. NCWaterfalls gives the trailhead at 35.272925, -82.969369.

Timing & water

Creek crossings depend on water level. Current recreation area status was not confirmed.

Before you go

Current fees and reservation requirements unknown.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

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

Explore North Carolina

Waterfall location

Jackson County, North Carolina.

Open location map