Jones Falls

Carter County, Tennessee

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Carter County, Tennessee
Access status: Partial guide: the link from the forest road to the Appalachian Trail is an unofficial path
The walk: 1.6 miles from the trailhead to the falls, per one visitor account
Ground & access: Moderate with a steep climb. Narrow riverbank path, a rock-hop crossing of Jones Branch, and rocky, rooty trail. Rocks around the falls are slippery.

Jones Falls is a 100-foot waterfall on Jones Branch, a tributary of the Elk River, in Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee, reached from the Elk River Falls parking area in North Carolina. From the parking turnaround, follow the gated forest road through a powerline clearing toward the river. Where the road turns down to ford the river, do not cross; stay straight on the narrow path along the riverbank, rock-hop across Jones Branch, and climb steeply to the Appalachian Trail. Turn left (south) on the white-blazed Appalachian Trail, climb past a set of timber stairs, and turn left at the sign for Jones Falls; the blue-blazed side path leads to the base. The connector between the forest road and the Appalachian Trail is an unofficial path, so this is a partial guide. Return the same way.

Plan your visit

Elk River Road end, gated forest road toward the Elk River ford, unofficial riverside path across Jones Branch up to the Appalachian Trail, south on the Appalachian Trail to the signed Jones Falls spur

One visitor account gives 1.6 miles from the trailhead to the falls (3.2 miles round trip). Another reaches the spur at 1.4 miles and the base 0.1 mile later. Both start at the end of Elk River Road.

Moderate with a steep climb. Narrow riverbank path, a rock-hop crossing of Jones Branch, and rocky, rooty trail. Rocks around the falls are slippery.

Where to start

End of Elk River Road in Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina: from US 19E just north of Elk Park, take Old Mill Road 0.3 mile, then Elk River Road about 4 miles to the dead end. Park in the large turnaround and do not block the gate. The lot fills early in summer.

Timing & water

Best in wetter months; one visitor account rates winter as the best season.

Before you go

No fee is mentioned in official sources. A visitor account lists the fee as none.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore Tennessee

Waterfall location

Carter County, Tennessee.

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