Pothole Falls
Jackson County, North Carolina
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Jackson County, North Carolina
- Access status
- Short backcountry trail from Cold Mountain Gap
- The walk
- About 1 to 2 miles return
- Ground & access
- Backcountry trail with a descent toward Greenland Creek; very slippery rocks at the falls. The walk out is uphill.
From the far end of the Cold Mountain Gap parking area, take Greenland Creek Trail (#488) through the powerline clearing into the woods. After about 0.4 miles, where the trail turns away from the creek, take the side path to the right toward the creek at Mac's Falls. Continue about 0.1 miles downstream to a spot where you can go out on the rocks at Pothole Falls.
Plan your visit
Cold Mountain Gap parking, Panthertown Valley, via Greenland Creek Trail past Mac's Falls to Pothole Falls
Waterfall Hero gives a 1.0-mile hike; Take a Hike gives about 2 miles round trip by a slightly different start (Mac's Gap Trail to Greenland Creek Trail).
Backcountry trail with a descent toward Greenland Creek; very slippery rocks at the falls. The walk out is uphill.
Where to start
Cold Mountain Gap access: from US 64 at Lake Toxaway take NC 281 north about 0.9 miles, bear left on Cold Mountain Road, go 5.7 miles to the end, turn left on the gravel road and right into the parking area. Friends of Panthertown says parking is limited.
Timing & water
Current trail conditions not verified. Cell service is unreliable in Panthertown.
Before you go
Friends of Panthertown says no permits, fees, or reservations are required for individuals for dispersed camping. Day-use fees were not separately confirmed.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Mac's FallsNational forest trail; short side pathJackson County, NC0.0 miE
- Greenland Creek FallsMarked Panthertown trails from the Cold Mountain Gap accessJackson County, NC0.5 miSE
Schoolhouse FallsNational forest trailsJackson County, NC0.5 miN- Halfway FallsJackson County, NC0.7 miSE
- Carlton FallsForest Service trails then an unofficial path, documented by two accountsJackson County, NC0.9 miSE
- Panthertown Creek FallsPartial guide: the last section is an off-trail bushwhack with no pathJackson County, NC1.1 miSW
Warden FallsForest trails, then a steep scramble path to the baseJackson County, NC1.1 miN- Jawbone FallsNamed national forest trails, then a short informal path to the baseJackson County, NC1.2 miN
- Raven Rock FallsJackson County, NC1.3 miE