Birchfield Camp Falls
Unicoi County, Tennessee
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Unicoi County, Tennessee
- Access status
- Partial guide: total distance not stated; creek crossings without bridges
- The walk
- Distance from parking not fully stated; about 0.2 to 0.3 mile on the Birchfield Camp Trail
- Ground & access
- Gated forest road that climbs steadily, then a trail with creek crossings that can be difficult in high water.
Birchfield Camp Falls is a set of modest drops and cascades on Birchfield Camp Creek in the Cherokee National Forest. From the turnaround at the end of Lower Higgins Creek Road, hike the gated road that climbs along Higgins Creek. Lower Higgins Creek Falls is visible from the road after about 0.6 mile. Continue up the road past another creek crossing, where a bridge used to stand, to the turnoff for the Birchfield Camp Trail where the two creeks meet. Cross and follow the Birchfield Camp Trail about two or three tenths of a mile up to the falls. Return the same way. The firsthand route account is older, and the crossings had no bridges when it was written.
Plan your visit
End of Lower Higgins Creek Road, gated road up Higgins Creek past Lower Higgins Creek Falls, then the Birchfield Camp Trail up Birchfield Camp Creek
Waterfall Hero gives about 0.6 mile up the gated road to the view of Lower Higgins Creek Falls. RATtreks says the Birchfield Camp Trail turnoff is a short way beyond, after a creek crossing, and the falls are about two or three tenths of a mile up that trail. The distance between the Lower Higgins Creek Falls view and the turnoff is not stated.
Gated forest road that climbs steadily, then a trail with creek crossings that can be difficult in high water.
Where to start
From Erwin, take I-26 east about 6 miles to exit 43, turn left onto US 19W south and then right to stay on US 19W. Drive 0.7 mile and turn right on Lower Higgins Creek Road, about 1.5 miles to its end. A sign directs visitors down a rough gravel road for 0.2 mile to a parking area at the turnaround; there are two wide spots partway down if you prefer to walk the last 0.1 mile.
Timing & water
No season limits are stated. Creek crossings are harder after heavy rain.
Before you go
No fee is mentioned.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Lower Higgins Creek FallsForest road route and parking documented; steep scramble to the baseUnicoi County, TN0.3 miE
- Longarm Branch FallsUnicoi County, TN1.2 miNW
- Wilderness FallsUnicoi County, TN1.2 miN
- Josiah FallsUnicoi County, TN1.8 miN
- Pine Ridge FallsNational forest trail route documented by visitor accounts; creek crossingUnicoi County, TN2.2 miN
Sill Branch FallsGuide: short forest trail; keep left at the forkUnicoi County, TN2.6 miN- Hell Hollow FallsUnicoi County, TN3.2 miN
- Squibb Creek FallsResearched route and starting areaGreene County, TN5.3 miW
- Pete's Branch FallsRoad and creek-crossing approach; total distance unconfirmedGreene County, TN6.2 miW