Waterfall Hero Hikes: Little Creek Falls (Chattooga)

Little Creek Falls is a waterfall in multiple sections on its namesake, a tributary of Big Creek and West Fork Chattooga River, in Macon County. The waterfall is located in the Nantahala Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest near Highlands.

Hike Length: 0.8 miles
Estimated Time: 1 to 2 hours
Difficulty: Difficult
Location: Nantahala Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Yes, but the path is not dog friendly.
Features: Waterfalls (1)
Crowds: Low
Warnings: There is no trail to the waterfall, it's a steep bushwhack from the forest road. The rocks around the waterfalls are very slippery.
Trailhead GPS: 35.02535,-83.17362
Waterfall GPS: 35.02417,-83.17809

Directions:

To visit the falls, head east on Main Street from US-64 in Highlands. Continue straight as this becomes Horse Cove Road for 2.6 miles and turn right on Rich Gap Road. Drive 1.4 miles and look for a pull-off near the gated Forest Road 4622.

Map:

Hike Description:

Hike down FR-4622 for a quarter-mile to a right turn and get off the road and bushwhack down towards the creek. In high water, you should be able to hear it. It's steep and very overgrown, but if you follow the sound of falling water, you should come out at the falls. The upper section is a long cascade, but its very overgrown and difficult to get a good vantage point.