Sam Branch Falls

Haywood County, North Carolina

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: 66 ft (20 m)
Location: Haywood County, North Carolina
Access status: Partial guide: no trail; roadside shoulder parking; creek walk for experienced hikers only
The walk: About 1.4 miles return
Ground & access: Very rough. Steep rock climb, landslide crossing, narrow muddy path, bushwhacking and creek walking. Not safe in high water. For experienced hikers only.

Sam Branch Falls is a tall waterfall on a tributary of the West Fork Pigeon River in Pisgah National Forest. From the sharp left curve on NC 215, climb the steep bank to an old railroad grade and follow it about 0.2 to 0.25 miles, across a large Helene landslide, to Lower Sam Branch Falls. Cross the creek, climb the sloping rock, and follow a narrow goat path, then bushwhack and creek walk upstream to the falls. There is no trail for the last part.

Plan your visit

NC 215 roadside shoulder past Lower Sam Branch Falls, then goat path, bushwhack and creek walk up Sam Branch

Waterfall Hero lists 1.4 miles for the hike from the NC 215 pull-off. Expect slow travel; the upper part is in or beside the creek.

Very rough. Steep rock climb, landslide crossing, narrow muddy path, bushwhacking and creek walking. Not safe in high water. For experienced hikers only.

Where to start

Shoulder parking at a sharp left curve on NC 215, about 4.1 miles north of the Blue Ridge Parkway at Beech Gap. The shoulder space and any parking rules were not confirmed.

Timing & water

The route description dates from July 2025, after Hurricane Helene. The National Park Service listed the Blue Ridge Parkway at Beech Gap as open; NC 215 status was not confirmed. Not safe in high water.

Before you go

No fee is mentioned in the reviewed sources.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

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

Explore North Carolina

Waterfall location

Haywood County, North Carolina.

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