Waterfall Hero Hikes: Buckeye Creek Falls (Beech Mountain)

Buckeye Creek Falls is a 25-foot waterfall on its namesake in Avery and Watauga County, North Carolina. The waterfall is located along the Beech Mountain Trails near Buckeye Lake Recreation Center.

Hike Length: 0.8 miles
Estimated Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Beech Mountain Trails
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Yes
Features: Waterfalls (1)
Crowds: Moderate
Warnings: The rocks around waterfalls are slippery.
Trailhead GPS: 36.21999,-81.90407
Waterfall GPS: 36.22292,-81.90738

Directions:

From Boone, head west on US-321 North for about 15 miles and turn left onto Buckeye Road. Continue on Buckeye Road for about 3.5 miles and turn left on Buckeye Creek Road. Go about 2.5 miles on Buckeye Creek Road and turn left on Pine Ridge Road. The Buckeye Recreation Center will be on the left in 0.5 miles.

Map:

Hike Description:

The Falls Trail (white blaze) starts from behind the playground and descends into the woods, running concurrently with Buckeye Lake Loop (green blaze). In 0.2 miles is a split - the trail is a loop so you can go either way, but shorter to turn right. The trail descends to Grassy Gap Creek near the confluence with Buckeye Creek.