Lower Carter Falls (Elkin)

Lower Carter Falls is an 8-foot waterfall on Elkin Creek in Wilkes County, North Carolina.  The waterfall is located in the Carter Falls Area on property owned by Wilkes County and is adjacent to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.

Hike Length: 0.6 miles
Estimated Time: < 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Location: Wilkes County
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Only if on a ≤ 6 foot leash
Features: Waterfalls (1+)
Crowds: Moderate
Warnings: The rocks around the waterfalls are very slippery.
Trailhead GPS: 36.28914,-80.88016
Waterfall GPS:  36.28623,-80.88323

Directions:

To visit the falls, head north from Elkin on US-21 Business for about 2 miles and turn left on E Carter Mill Road.  Drive 1.6 miles and turn right on Pleasant Ridge Road.  A gravel parking area at the trailhead is on the left in 0.6 miles.

Map:

Hike Description:

From the trailhead, take the Powerhouse Trail towards the Lower Falls from the south end of the parking area.  The trail descends to Elkin Creek at the waterfall in just over a quarter-mile.

Powerhouse Trail continues to Carter Falls.  Here's a video of the falls.

Blog Entries:

04-Mar-2023: Elkin Waterfalls