WaterfallNear Me

Sally Queen Falls

Rutherford County, North Carolina

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height
Not recorded
Location
Rutherford County, North Carolina
Access status
Partial: bushwhack with no trail; storm blowdowns reported
The walk
About 1.5 miles (NCWaterfalls.com hike distance), off trail
Ground & access
Class II bushwhack with steep slopes and a creek crossing; plan to get your feet wet. After Hurricane Helene, people reported many fallen trees along the route.
NCWaterfalls.com: Sally Queen Falls

This is a bushwhack for experienced off-trail hikers. NCWaterfalls.com gives only an outline and advises using a map app. From the orange gate, follow old forest roads up to the Richland Mountain ridgeline at about 2,200 feet. Descend the steep slope toward the falls, cross a tributary, climb over a hump, and reach Sally Queen Creek near 1,600 feet. Cross the creek and work upstream to the falls.

Plan your visit

Orange gate on Old CCC Road (SR 1731), old forest roads to the Richland Mountain ridge, then an off-trail descent to Sally Queen Creek

NCWaterfalls.com lists approximately 1.5 miles and does not say if this is one way or return. Its trailhead and waterfall coordinates are more than a mile apart in a straight line, so 1.5 miles is most likely one way.

Class II bushwhack with steep slopes and a creek crossing; plan to get your feet wet. After Hurricane Helene, people reported many fallen trees along the route.

Where to start

At a gap where Old CCC Road (SR 1731) crosses a ridge, 2.25 miles past the end of pavement and 2.9 miles from Jonestown Road. Park without blocking the orange gate on the left. The road is rough and has a creek ford. Trailhead coordinates: 35.561876, -81.733331.

Timing & water

NCWaterfalls.com has not visited since Hurricane Helene (September 2024) and reports heavy blowdowns. Plan on a tough hike.

Before you go

Land of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. No fee is stated by the source.

Visitor information
Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

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

Explore North Carolina

Waterfall location

Rutherford County, North Carolina.

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