Waterfall Hero Hikes: Big Laurel Falls (Nantahala)

Big Laurel Falls is a 25-foot waterfall on Big Laurel Branch in Macon County, North Carolina near the headwaters of Nantahala River. The waterfall is located in Southern Nantahala Wilderness but is accessed from the Standing Indian Basin.

Hike Length: 1.0 miles
Estimated Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Location: Southern Nantahala Wilderness (Nantahala Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest)
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Yes
Features: Waterfalls (1)
Crowds: Moderate
Warnings: The rocks around the waterfalls are very slippery.
Trailhead GPS: 35.02200,-83.50374
Waterfall GPS: 35.01826,-83.50627

Directions:

From Franklin, head west on US-64 for 12 miles and turn left onto Old Murphy Road. Drive 1.9 miles and turn right onto Forest Road 67 towards Standing Indian Campground. Drive 6.8 miles to a pull-off on the right at the trailhead. There's a sign here for Laurel Falls/Timber Ridge Trail.

Map:

Hike Description:

From the trailhead, hike down to the bridge over Mooney Creek and turn right to stay on Big Laurel Falls Trail (#29).

The trail follows Nantahala River upstream and enters the wilderness towards its headwaters where Big Laurel Branch, Kirby Creek and Gulf Fork come together..