Sugar Creek Waterfalls (Caney Fork)

There are two waterfalls on Sugar Creek and one on a tributary, Dryland Laurel Branch, in Jackson County, North Carolina.  The waterfalls are located in the Nantahala Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest.

Hike Length: 1.4 miles
Estimated Time: 2 to 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate

Location: Nantahala Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest

Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Yes
Features: Waterfalls (3)
Crowds: Low
Warnings: The rocks around waterfalls are slippery.  There is a crossing of Sugar Creek that may be a wade in high water.  The path to Upper Sugar Creek Falls is difficult.
Trailhead GPS: 35.31244,-83.04455
Waterfall GPS: 35.30982,-83.03672 (Sugar Creek Falls), 35.30964,-83.03714 (Dryland Laurel Branch Falls), 35.30948,-83.03411 (Upper Sugar Creek Falls)

Directions:

From Cullohwee, head south on NC-107 for about 2.5 miles and turn left on Caney Fork Road.  Drive 8.7 miles and turn right on Sugar Creek Road.  In 0.6 miles, the pavement ends and it becomes a very narrow gravel road.  At 0.8 miles from Caney Fork Road, park just before a bridge over Sugar Creek.

Map:

Hike Description:

Hike the road over the bridge and following Sugar Creek upstream.  At about 0.3 miles, cross Sugar Creek.  Water was high when we visited and we had to wade.  At 0.5 miles from the trailhead, the road makes a sharp left.  Go straight and follow a path to Sugar Creek Falls.

Dryland Laurel Branch falls into Sugar Creek right at the base and there is a waterfall just upstream on this creek too.

Here's a video of the two adjacent waterfalls.

From here, continue up the river right side of Sugar Creek Falls to the top.  There are some nice cascades just above.

It is just short ways further to the upper falls.  The path is a little more difficult but there was flagging tape when we visited.

Blog Entries:

03-Nov-2020: Caney Fork Waterfalls