Carter Falls Area (Elkin Valley)

The Carter Falls Area is located in Wilkes and Surry County in the Elkin Valley.  The land around Carter Falls was private until it was sold to Wilkes County for a trailhead and public access.  The Elkin Valley Trail Association worked to construct trails to the waterfall and other points of interest in the area, including a portion of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.  Aside from the waterfall, the trails access old buildings, farm fields, forests and a vineyard.

Map:

Trails:

Carter Falls Trail:

Carter Falls Trail starts at the trailhead on Pleasant Ridge Road and descends towards the creek.  It makes a big switchback to the top of the waterfall then descends steeply to the base.

Mountains-to-Sea Trail:

A section of Segment 6 of the statewide Mountains-to-Sea Trail runs through the area, from Carter Falls Trailhead to Isaac's Trailhead.

Powerhouse Trail:

Powerhouse Trail starts from the Carter Falls Trailhead and leads to Lower Carter Falls and then ends at Carter Falls Trail.

Skull Camp Spur Trail:

Skull Camp Spur Trail leads from Bridge Street and descends to connect with Mountains-to-Sea Trail.

Points of Interest:

Carter Falls:

Carter Falls is a waterfall on Elkin Creek.

Lower Carter Falls:

Lower Carter Falls is a small waterfall downstream of the main one.

Blog Entries:

04-Mar-2023: Elkin Waterfalls

11-May-2020: Wildflowers and Waterfalls along Basin Creek

03-Aug-2019: Flowers and Falls at Doughton Park