Waterfall Hero Hikes: Lower Falls (Stone Mountain)

Lower Falls is a 15-foot waterfall on Big Sandy Creek in Wilkes County, North Carolina. The waterfall is located in Stone Mountain State Park.

Hike Length: 3.2 miles
Estimated Time: 1 to 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Stone Mountain State Park
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Must be on a ≤ 6-foot leash.
Features: Waterfalls (3)
Crowds: High
Warnings: The rocks around the waterfalls are very slippery. There are two creek crossings to reach the waterfall.
Trailhead GPS: 36.38376,-81.02645
Waterfall GPS: 36.37479,-81.04114

Directions:

From Elkin, head north on US-21 for about 13 miles and turn left on Traphill Road. Go 4.4 miles and turn right on John P Frank Parkway. Drive 3.3 miles, entering the park, and turn left for the Upper Trailhead parking.

Map:

Hike Description:

From the trailhead, pick up the spur trail past the restrooms that leads to the Stone Mountain Loop Trail in 0.3 miles. Turn left at the chimney and the trail leads to a set of many wooden steps leading down along Stone Mountain Falls. At the base continue on the trail past the waterfall and then turn left on the blue-blazed Middle & Lower Falls Trail at 0.9 miles. At 1.1 miles, a spur to the right leads to Middle Falls. Go straight and there is a crossing of Big Sandy Creek right after the spur trail and then another crossing at 1.6 miles. At 1.8 miles, a scramble path leads down to the creek at Lower Falls.