Shunkawauken Falls

Polk County, North Carolina

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: 148 ft (45 m)
Location: Polk County, North Carolina
Access status: Private property; roadside view only
The walk: Under 0.1 miles along the road
Ground & access: Narrow, steep road with almost no shoulder. Watch for traffic while walking.

Waterfall Hero: Shunkawauken Falls directions

From I-26, take exit 67 at Columbus and follow NC 108 into Columbus. After about half a mile, turn left on Houston Road and keep right at the fork to stay on Houston Road. In about a mile, turn left on White Oak Mountain Road, which is very steep and winding. About 1.8 to 2 miles up, the falls is right beside the road; a 150 foot section is visible. There is a small gravel pull-off on the left near the falls (Waterfall Hero places it just before the falls, Rich Stevenson just past it). Walk along the road a short way to the view. The falls is on private property: stay in the road right-of-way.

Plan your visit

White Oak Mountain Road pull-off, short walk along the road to a roadside view

Waterfall Hero gives a hike length of under 0.1 miles. The view is from the road.

Narrow, steep road with almost no shoulder. Watch for traffic while walking.

Where to start

Small gravel pull-off on the left side of White Oak Mountain Road near the falls. Published coordinates: 35.27142, -82.21430. Turning around on this road is difficult.

Timing & water

From the pull-off, the lower part of the falls is partly visible in winter.

Before you go

No fee. Private property; view only from the road right-of-way.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

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

Explore North Carolina

Waterfall location

Polk County, North Carolina.

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