Sunshine Falls
Polk County, North Carolina
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Polk County, North Carolina
- Access status
- Game land trail and extremely steep roped path to the river
- The walk
- About 3.2 miles return
- Ground & access
- Trail with a creek crossing, then an extremely steep descent on ropes that may not be secure. The climb back out is hard. Class V whitewater; do not enter the river.
Pulliam Creek Trail begins at the utility pole. Stay on it past a side path cutting back left at about half a mile and another on the right about a quarter mile later. Just under 0.4 miles farther, cross Pulliam Creek by rock hop or wade, climb steeply, and in just under half a mile take the side path on the right. It descends extremely steeply about 666 feet, with ropes, to the mouth of Pulliam Creek at Sunshine Falls on the Green River.
Plan your visit
Pulliam Creek Trail from the Big Hungry Road pullout, then a very steep side path down to Sunshine Falls on the Green River Narrows
NCWaterfalls gives a hike distance of 1.6 miles one way. Same route both ways.
Trail with a creek crossing, then an extremely steep descent on ropes that may not be secure. The climb back out is hard. Class V whitewater; do not enter the river.
Where to start
From I-26 exit 53, go east on Upward Road 1.6 miles, turn right on Big Hungry Road (SR 1802), stay left at the first fork and right at the second, then drive 3.6 miles to a narrow pullout on the right with a utility pole. Room for about four cars.
Timing & water
Green River Game Land; hunting seasons apply. Creek crossing depends on water level; river level varies with dam releases.
Before you go
Current fees and reservation requirements unknown.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Pulliam Creek FallsPartial guide: the last stretch up Pulliam Creek and current game land access are not confirmedPolk County, NC0.1 miN
- Fishtop FallsPartial: short game land path; access road status after Helene unconfirmedPolk County, NC1.1 miSE
- Briefcase FallsPartial guide: bushwhack finish, hiker parking permission uncertain, storm damage unverifiedHenderson County, NC1.2 miNW
- Case FallsPartial guide: hiker parking at the turnaround is not confirmed and post-storm conditions are unreportedHenderson County, NC1.3 miNW
- Lower Hungry River FallsPartial guide: post-Helene route goes down a landslide; conditions last checked late 2024Henderson County, NC1.3 miNW
- Emily FallsGame land trail; short easy walkPolk County, NC1.3 miNE
- Loobie FallsPolk County, NC1.4 miE
- Stairstep FallsGame land trails with a creek crossing and steep scramblePolk County, NC1.4 miE
- Upper Hungry River FallsRoadside view and short path on Green River Game LandHenderson County, NC1.6 miN