Sand Creek Falls

Graham County, North Carolina

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Graham County, North Carolina
Access status: Forest road and overgrown path in Nantahala National Forest
The walk: About 2.4 miles return
Ground & access: Gravel forest road, then an overgrown unofficial path with stream crossings and rhododendron. Rocks near the falls are slippery.

Waterfall Hero: Sand Creek Falls (Santeetlah)

Walk up FR 81E about 0.3 miles to where it switchbacks right, away from Sand Creek. Follow the overgrown path that continues upstream. At about 0.5 miles it crosses a tributary where a small bridge has collapsed, then crosses Wolf Laurel Branch. At about 1.2 miles, at an old blue piece of a car, go up to bypass the rhododendron and come out near the base of the 50-foot falls. Downed trees at the base block part of the view.

Plan your visit

FR 81 at FR 81E near the Sand Creek bridge, up FR 81E and an overgrown path along Sand Creek to Sand Creek Falls

Waterfall Hero gives a 2.4-mile hike; its description reaches the falls at about 1.2 miles.

Gravel forest road, then an overgrown unofficial path with stream crossings and rhododendron. Rocks near the falls are slippery.

Where to start

From Robbinsville take US 129 north and NC 143 west 10.3 miles to the start of the Cherohala Skyway; go right, then immediately left onto gravel Forest Road 81. Go 6 miles and park at FR 81E, just before the bridge over Sand Creek.

Timing & water

The route description dates from 2020. Current road and path conditions were not confirmed.

Before you go

Current fees and reservation requirements unknown.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

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

Explore North Carolina

Waterfall location

Graham County, North Carolina.

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