Waterfall Hero Hikes: Upper & Lower Bubbling Spring Branch Falls

There are two waterfalls on Bubbling Springs Branch in Haywood County. The waterfalls are located in Pisgah National Forest near Middle Prong Wilderness.

Hike Length: 0.6 miles
Estimated Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Yes
Features: Waterfalls (2)
Crowds: Low
Warnings: The hike is off trail and requires walking up the creek. The rocks around waterfalls are slippery
Trailhead GPS: 35.30342,-82.90864
Waterfall GPS: 35.30127,-82.91195 (Lower Falls), 35.30068,-82.91195 (Upper Falls)

Directions:

From Brevard, head west on US-64 for about nine miles and turn right on NC-215 north. Drive about 17.5 miles on NC-215 N to a large pull-off on the left side of the road. The pull-off is just under a half-mile north of the parkway. If coming from the Blue Ridge Parkway, take NC-215 N and go 0.4 miles to the pull-off on the left.

Map:

Hike Description:

From the pull-off, hike down NC-215 a short ways and you should see the Mountains-to-Sea Trail duck into the woods on the left and enter Middle Prong Wilderness. You'll cross a small creek almost immediately and then cross a larger creek (which is Bubbling Spring Branch). Once across, MST will go right. Turn left and go through a large primitive campsite. Past the fire ring, cross the creek again. From here, you need to follow the path to head upstream to the waterfall, crossing the creek three more times. Then rock hop the rest of the way to the base of Lower Bubbling Spring Branch Falls, which is right outside the border of the wilderness.

To reach the upper waterfall, find an obvious path on river right the climbs up the lower falls. Don't get too close to the top of the waterfall. Once near the top, continue following the creek upstream a short ways to the base of Upper Bubbling Spring Branch Falls.