Waterfall Hero Hikes: Elbow Falls and Red Butt Falls

Elbow Falls and Red Butt Falls are two waterfalls on the upper Tuckaseegee River in Jackson County. The waterfall is located in Panthertown Valley in Nantahala National Forest.

Hike Length:
Estimated Time:
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Panthertown Valley (Nantahala Ranger District in Nantahala National Forest)
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Yes
Features: Waterfalls (2)
Crowds: Low
Warnings: The rocks around the waterfalls are very slippery.
Trailhead GPS: 35.15766,-82.99869
Waterfall GPS: 35.17795,-83.00340 (Elbow Falls), 35.18026,-83.00675 (Red Butt Falls)

Directions:

To visit the falls, head east on US-64 from Lake Toxaway and turn left to get on NC-281 north. In just under a mile, bear left to get on Cold Mountain Road. Go 5.7 miles to the end of the road and turn left onto the gravel road. Go a short ways and turn right to reach the parking area. This is the Cold Mountain Gap access to Panthertown Valley.

Map:

Hike Description:

Pick up Panthertown Valley Trail (#474) at the end of the parking area and follow it down the switchbacks. In about a mile, turn right on Devils Elbow Trail (#448). Go about 1 mile and after crossing Little Green Creek is a split with Riding Ford Trail (#450). Bear right to stay on Devils Elbow Trail and go another 0.3 miles to where the trail turns right. Take an obvious path to the left that comes to another fork in 0.1 miles. Go left to follow the path downstream to Elbow Falls.

There is a big rock near the base to go out and enjoy the view. The waterfall is only about 10 feet but very scenic at a 90 degree turn in the river and there are cool potholes in the rock.