Rufus Morgan Waterfall
Macon County, North Carolina
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- 60 ft (18.3 m)
- Location
- Macon County, North Carolina
- Access status
- National forest loop trail; seasonal forest road
- The walk
- About 1 mile round trip
- Ground & access
- Moderate. A climb with switchbacks and a steeper last section. Downed trees and debris at the base; slippery rocks.
From the junction of US 64 and US 23/441 in Franklin, drive west on US 64 for about 3.8 miles, turn right on Old Murphy Road, and after 0.2 miles turn left on Wayah Road. Drive about 6.3 miles and turn left on gravel Forest Road 388. Drive 2 miles to the trailhead parking area. Follow the blue-blazed Rufus Morgan Trail up switchbacks; at an early double blaze, turn right. At about 0.4 miles the trail crosses Left Prong Rough Fork near a smaller two-part waterfall, and Rufus Morgan Falls is visible upstream. Just past the crossing the trail splits. Right climbs a few hundred feet to the base of the 60 foot falls. Left continues the loop about 0.5 miles downhill to a gate on FR 388 just past the parking area.
Plan your visit
Rufus Morgan Trail loop from the Forest Road 388 parking area, with a short spur to the base of Rufus Morgan Falls
Rich Stevenson gives a 1 mile round trip, with the falls at the halfway point of a 1 mile loop. Waterfall Hero gives 1.1 miles.
Moderate. A climb with switchbacks and a steeper last section. Downed trees and debris at the base; slippery rocks.
Where to start
Trailhead parking area on FR 388, 2 miles from Wayah Road. Published trailhead coordinates: 35.14666, -83.54742.
Timing & water
FR 388 is seasonal and is usually closed from January 1 to March 15, depending on conditions. The creek is small, so the falls is best after rain.
Before you go
No fee is mentioned in the sources read. Nantahala National Forest, Nantahala Ranger District.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Camp Branch FallsShort old-road walk from a gated forest roadMacon County, NC1.8 miN
- Upper Camp Branch FallsShort old-road walk in Nantahala National ForestMacon County, NC1.8 miN
- Shot Pouch FallsShort walk on a gated forest roadMacon County, NC1.9 miNW
- Crawford Cove FallsMacon County, NC2.1 miNW
- Factory Branch FallsMacon County, NC4.0 miW
- Indian Camp Creek FallsNational forest; unmaintained path with creek fordsMacon County, NC5.7 miN
- Clear Creek FallsPartial: rough road and gate; permission not stated; lake route alternativeClay County, NC6.2 miW
- Ray Cove FallsVery short walk on the Bartram TrailMacon County, NC7.0 miNE
- New FallsClay County, NC7.8 miS