WaterfallNear Me

Short Creek Falls

Macon County, North Carolina

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height
Not recorded
Location
Macon County, North Carolina
Access status
National forest; short bushwhack up a creek
The walk
About 0.3 miles each way
Ground & access
Moderate to difficult bushwhack along a small creek lined with rhododendron. Poison ivy along FS 57A.
NC Waterfalls: Short Creek Falls and waterfalls on Short Creek

From the junction of US 64 and NC 106 in Highlands, drive 6.7 miles west on US 64 (10.05 miles east of US 23/441 in Franklin) to a small paved pullout on the left (Cullasaja River) side of the road. Short Creek flows under US 64 at the pullout. Follow the creek upstream; there is no trail, and the right bank (facing downstream) is easier. You pass two smaller waterfalls before reaching Short Creek Falls, a 12 foot sliding and free-falling drop that is the largest and farthest upstream of the three. For the return, NC Waterfalls suggests old road FS 57A, which passes a poor view of the upper falls; it is overgrown and has poison ivy.

Plan your visit

US 64 pullout in the Cullasaja River Gorge, bushwhack up Short Creek past two smaller falls

NC Waterfalls gives a hike distance of approximately 0.3 miles.

Moderate to difficult bushwhack along a small creek lined with rhododendron. Poison ivy along FS 57A.

Where to start

Small paved pullout on the Cullasaja River side of US 64. Published trailhead coordinates: 35.096029, -83.2635.

Timing & water

No closure is mentioned in the source read.

Before you go

No fee is mentioned in the source read. Nantahala National Forest, Nantahala Ranger District.

Visitor information
Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

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

Explore North Carolina

Waterfall location

Macon County, North Carolina.

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