Bear Creek Falls (GSMNP)

Bear Creek Falls is a 30-foot waterfall on its namesake creek in Swain County, North Carolina. The waterfall is located in Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Fontana Lake.

Hike Length: 8.0 miles
Estimated Time: 4 to 6 hours
Difficulty: Difficult
Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: No
Features: Waterfalls (1)
Crowds: Low
Warnings: The rocks around the waterfalls are very slippery.  The last section of the hike is off trail and requires wading through dense rhododendron. 

Trailhead GPS: 35.45891,-83.53774
Waterfall GPS: 35.47128,-83.57335

Directions:

From Bryson City,  head north on Everett Street, which becomes Fontana Road. The road changes to Lakeview Drive when it enters the park. Go a total of 8.3 miles from Bryson City to the end of the road and park in the area on the right.

Map:

Hike Description:

Lakeshore Trail starts as a continuation of the road beyond the barricades. In 0.1 miles, you'll pass through the tunnel. The tunnel is almost a quarter-mile, but its straight so you can see both ends.

Past the tunnel, Tunnel Bypass Trail and Goldmine Loop Trail come in from the right, but continue on Lakeshore Trail. It's not blazed, but there are signs at intersections. In about another mile, White Oak Branch Trail goes right. Go left to stay on Lakeshore Trail, paying attention to the signs as an old road intersects. In about another mile, the trail descends to Forney Creek and goes right at the backcountry campsite. Turn right on Forney Creek Trail and go under half a mile to a left turn on Bear Creek Trail. After crossing the creek on a bridge, the trail ascends towards Welch Branch then swings back towards Bear Creek. At about 0.8 miles from the start of Bear Creek Trail, get off the trail and start bushwhacking down towards the creek. You should be able to hear the waterfall. It's steep and there are some cliffs to go around to get down to creek level and there there are dense rhododendron to climb through to get to the waterfall.

Blog Entries:

02-Jul-2017: Bear Creek & Chasteen Creek Falls