Riding Ford Falls
Jackson County, North Carolina
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Jackson County, North Carolina
- Access status
- Backcountry trail route from Cold Mountain Gap
- The walk
- About 4.5 miles return
- Ground & access
- Backcountry trails with a creek crossing on boulders at Little Green Creek. Reaching the base means scooting down wet, very slippery bedrock. The walk out is uphill.
From the end of the Cold Mountain Gap parking area, follow Panthertown Valley Trail (#474) down the switchbacks. In about a mile turn right on Devils Elbow Trail (#448). Go about a mile; after crossing Little Green Creek, bear left on Riding Ford Trail (#450) and descend to the ford of the Tuckasegee River. The sliding falls are immediately downstream. A path on the right bank (facing downstream) leads to the base.
Plan your visit
Cold Mountain Gap parking, Panthertown Valley, via Panthertown Valley, Devils Elbow and Riding Ford trails to Riding Ford Falls
Waterfall Hero and Take a Hike both give about 4.5 miles round trip from Cold Mountain Gap.
Backcountry trails with a creek crossing on boulders at Little Green Creek. Reaching the base means scooting down wet, very slippery bedrock. The walk out is uphill.
Where to start
Cold Mountain Gap access: from US 64 at Lake Toxaway take NC 281 north just under a mile, 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.
- Jawbone FallsNamed national forest trails, then a short informal path to the baseJackson County, NC0.1 miSW
- Elbow FallsPanthertown trails and a defined side path from the Cold Mountain Gap accessJackson County, NC0.3 miN
Warden FallsForest trails, then a steep scramble path to the baseJackson County, NC0.3 miSW- Red Butt FallsNational forest trails; short unofficial path and scrambleJackson County, NC0.5 miNW
- Lichen FallsPartial guide: river wade with no trail; location given by description onlyJackson County, NC0.6 miN
Schoolhouse FallsNational forest trailsJackson County, NC0.8 miS- Pothole FallsShort backcountry trail from Cold Mountain GapJackson County, NC1.3 miS
- Mac's FallsNational forest trail; short side pathJackson County, NC1.3 miS
- Coolidge FallsJackson County, NC1.4 miW