Upper Falls

South Mountains State Park is a beautiful and rugged park in western North Carolina, known for its scenic beauty, hiking trails, waterfalls, and outdoor recreation. The park is located in Burke County, North Carolina just south of Morganton.  It covers over 20,000 acres making it one of the largest state parks in North Carolina.  The park features a stunning 60-foot waterfall and has over 40 miles of trails, ranging from easy to strenuous.  The Chestnut Knob Overlook has spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

This hike starts at the Jacob Fork Parking Area and follows the Hemlock Nature Trail along the Jacob Fork River to the High Shoals Falls Loop which uses a section of the Upper Falls Trail to access the Upper Falls Trail Campsites, a multi-use area used by hikers, bikers and horse riders. This loop hike has outstanding views of the eighty foot High Shoals Waterfalls from platforms at both the top and bottom of the falls. An elaborate system of steps descends along High Shoals Falls for some scenic views that extend out into the valley below. The route eventually winds back to the Shinny Creek Picnic Area and to the Parking Area at Jacob Fork. It is rated moderate due to some steep climbs from the picnic area.