Upper Widows Creek Falls
Wilkes County, North Carolina
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Wilkes County, North Carolina
- Access status
- Partial guide: state park trail; effect of a posted Mountains-to-Sea Trail closure on the shared section is not stated
- The walk
- About 1.3 miles each way
- Ground & access
- Strenuous state park trail with a steep start and footbridges. Short side path at the end. Rocks are slippery.
Upper Widows Creek Falls is a 12 foot waterfall on Widows Creek in Stone Mountain State Park. From the trailhead parking on the park road, start on the orange-square-blazed Widow's Creek Trail, which is shared with the Mountains-to-Sea Trail at first. The trail climbs steeply, then levels and follows Widows Creek upstream, crossing it three times on footbridges. At 1.1 miles the Mountains-to-Sea Trail splits right; stay straight on Widow's Creek Trail toward the campsites. At the first campsite, just before another footbridge over the creek, an obvious path on the right leads a short way to the falls. Return the same way.
Plan your visit
Widow's Creek Trail in Stone Mountain State Park, past Widows Creek Falls, to a side path at the first campsite footbridge
Waterfall Hero gives a 2.6 mile hike length. NC State Parks lists the whole Widow's Creek Trail as 2.5 miles one way.
Strenuous state park trail with a steep start and footbridges. Short side path at the end. Rocks are slippery.
Where to start
Widow's Creek trailhead parking on the left of the main park road, 1.9 miles inside the park entrance according to Waterfall Hero. Published trailhead coordinates: 36.39482, -81.06892.
Timing & water
Park hours change by month (October 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., November and December 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.); closed Christmas Day. The park lists a closure of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail from John P. Frank Parkway to the Bridle Spur Trail for construction. It does not say whether this affects the section shared with Widow's Creek Trail. Check with the park before going.
Before you go
NC State Parks says no fees are required for day use of Stone Mountain State Park.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Widows FallsState park; short path from a roadside parking areaWilkes County, NC1.0 miSE
- Bullhead Creek FallsState park trailhead; very short walkWilkes County, NC1.3 miE
- Bullhead Creek CascadesWilkes County, NC1.4 miN
- Incredible Falls98 ft (30 m) · Wilkes County, NC1.5 miN
- Middle FallsPartial guide: part of the park loop trail is closed; check with the park before goingWilkes County, NC3.0 miSE
- Lower FallsPartial guide: usual route closed for stair work; alternative total distance not publishedWilkes County, NC3.2 miSE
- Stone Mountain FallsWilkes County, NC3.2 miSE
- Carter FallsSigned public trail from a gravel trailhead lotWilkes County, NC14 miSE
- Amadehy FallsState park trail to falls view; base reached by short steep bushwhackWilkes County, NC18 miSW