Thunderhole Falls
Caldwell County, North Carolina
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Caldwell County, North Carolina
- Access status
- Partial guide: access road closed to vehicles; parking and full walking distance not confirmed
- The walk
- About 1.0 mile return from the permanent gate, plus an unknown road walk while FSR 4071 is closed to vehicles
- Ground & access
- Moderate trail. The path to the base is very steep and may need a rope. Rocks are slippery.
Thunderhole Falls is a 20-foot waterfall in the China Creek area of Pisgah National Forest near Blowing Rock. Waterfall Hero describes driving FSR 4071 to the permanent gate, walking past it to a concrete ford over China Creek, and taking China Creek Trail (#250) downstream. At 0.4 miles, do not cross China Creek; turn right on Thunderhole Falls Trail (#253) a short distance to the falls. The Forest Service currently lists Thunderhole Road as closed to motor vehicles but open on foot.
Plan your visit
FSR 4071 (Thunderhole Road) on foot to the permanent gate, China Creek Trail and Thunderhole Falls Trail to the falls
Waterfall Hero lists 1.0 mile for the hike from the permanent gate, about 2.5 road miles up FSR 4071. The Forest Service lists Thunderhole Road closed to motor vehicles, so the walk from the nearest legal parking is longer by an unconfirmed amount.
Moderate trail. The path to the base is very steep and may need a rope. Rocks are slippery.
Where to start
Unknown under the current closure. FSR 4071 turns off Globe Road about 3.5 miles from US 321 Business in Blowing Rock and is closed to motor vehicles. Do not block the gate.
Timing & water
Thunderhole Road (FSR 4071) is closed to motor vehicles but open on foot, bike and horseback per the Forest Service Helene page. Waterfall Hero says the road is also gated in winter.
Before you go
No fee is mentioned in the reviewed sources.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Lower Thunderhole FallsPartial guide: access road closed to vehicles; starting parking not describedCaldwell County, NC0.5 miSE
- China Creek FallsWatauga County, NC0.8 miN
- Lower Glen Marie FallsPartial: town trail; reports conflict on whether it has reopenedWatauga County, NC1.2 miNE
- Upper Glen Marie FallsPartial: this listing is probably the upper part of Glen Marie Falls; winter view onlyWatauga County, NC1.2 miNE
- Glen Burney FallsPartial: town trail; reports conflict on whether it has reopenedWatauga County, NC1.3 miNE
- New Year's Creek CascadesPartial: town trail; reports conflict on whether it has reopenedWatauga County, NC1.4 miNE
- Walker Hollow FallsRoadside waterfall in Pisgah National ForestCaldwell County, NC3.5 miSW
- Hebron Colony FallsNational park picnic area trailhead; marked trail and steep side pathWatauga County, NC3.7 miNW
- Woodruff Branch FallsNational forest; roadside viewCaldwell County, NC4.0 miSW