Yellowstone Falls

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height

98 ft (30 m)

Location

Haywood County, North Carolina

Access status

National forest trails, then a steep scramble path; base not recommended

The walk

About 0.8 miles each way

Ground & access

Moderate to the top of the falls, then difficult: a creek crossing above the falls and a very steep, overgrown scramble path. The final scramble to the base is reported as damaged by a landslide and dangerous.

NC Waterfalls: Yellowstone Falls (Graveyard Fields)

Yellowstone Falls is the lowest of the three waterfalls on Yellowstone Prong in Graveyard Fields, Pisgah National Forest: two drops separated by a rock pool, with steep cascades below. Start beside the restroom building at Graveyard Fields Overlook. Take the steps and paved path down to the footbridge over Yellowstone Prong. Continue straight on the boardwalk; 30 yards past its end, take the left fork (the right fork goes to Second Falls) about 0.19 miles to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Turn right on it. In just under a quarter mile you reach a flat open area where you can hear the falls (published point 35.324511, -82.841538). A side path passes a campsite and reaches the creek at the top of the falls. Cross the creek, which is usually an easy rock-hop, and take the steep scramble path down through rhododendron beside the falls; it gives views of the upper section. Waterfall Hero reported that a landslide made the last scramble to the base very difficult and dangerous and did not recommend it.