Upper Bearwallow Falls (via NC 281)

Gorges State Park is one of North Carolina’s newest state parks.  The property was purchased by the state from Duke Energy Corporation, and the transaction includes a 2,900-acre game land managed by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.  The 7,100-acre state park has plunging waterfalls, rugged river gorges, sheer rock walls and one of the greatest concentrations of rare and unique species in the eastern United States.

This short hike to Bearwallow Falls starts at the parking area off NC 281 and descends gradually to a platform that overlooks Bearwallow Creek and the falls which also bear its name.  The path is fairly easy – especially hiking down to the waterfall – and it travels under a power line and through a forest of rhododendron on the route which are especially pretty if you catch them during their summer bloom.  While there is no base access to the waterfall, the overlook offers a safe and scenic vantage point, especially after rainfall when the falls are most impressive. Its easy access makes Upper Bearwallow Falls a popular stop for visitors exploring the northern section of Gorges State Park.