American Travel Journal: Big Falls on Elk River

Big Falls on the Elk River, also known as Elk River Falls, is a 50 to 65 foot vertical plunge waterfall near Elk Park, North Carolina. To reach the trailhead from the boundary between Tennessee and North Carolina on US 19E, drive into North Carolina 0.8 miles to Old Mill Road. A directional sign to Elk River Falls was located at this entrance on my visit in June 2017. Turn left onto Old Mill Road and drive 0.3 miles to Elk River Road. Another directional sign was located at this intersection. Turn left onto Elk River Road and drive 4 miles to the end of the road. The last ¼ mile of Elk River Road is gravel and is located in the Appalachian Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest. Park along the edge of the turnaround at the end of the road.

The 300 yard (meter) long Big Falls Trail (TR 172) begins at the end of the road. A plank bridge and set of wooden stairs mark the trailhead. After climbing a dozen feet above the river, the trail levels out and quickly reaches the top of the falls. Several people have died or been paralyzed over the years as a result of jumping off the rock bluff into the plunge basin. Just don't do it. Beyond the top of the falls, the trail quickly descends to the base of the falls near the downstream end of the plunge basin. A rock outcrop acts as a dam across most of the river and also provides a relatively safe place to view the falls.