BEARWALLOW FALLS

LOCATION: Western North Carolina
HIKE STARTS: NC 281 Parking Area
HIKE ENDS: NC 281 Parking Area
TOTAL DISTANCE: 3.2 Miles
HIKE TYPE: In and Out, Backtrack Hike
HIKE DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate
TRAILS USED: Light Blue Trail
TRAIL TRAFFIC: Light
TRIP TYPE: Day or Overnight Hike
MORE INFORMATION: Gorges State Park NC 281 South, P.O. Box 100 Sapphire, NC 28774-0100 (828) 966-9099

HIGHLIGHTS: Gorges State Park is one of North Carolina’s newest state parks, and the property was recently purchased by the state from Duke Energy Corporation. The transaction created a 2,900-acre gameland managed by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission and a 7,100-acre state park with 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 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. Note: Many of the park’s facilities are still being developed, so information, rules and regulations are subject to change.

Guidebook For This Area

Trail Map For This Area

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