Recreation area

Elk Falls Area-Big Falls TR 172

National Forests in North Carolina · North Carolina — managed by USDA Forest Service

Open recreation area — no reservation needed

About this campground

This is a rocky trail to a popular scenic spot that has a 65 foot high waterfall along the Elk River. **Use extreme caution near the falls as fatalities have occurred at this site.** Total Length: 0.5 mile Total Elevation Change: 40 feet Degree of Difficulty: Moderate Beginning Point: Elk Park Parking Lot Ending Point: Big Falls Average Hiking Time: 15 minutes (one way) Amount of Use: Heavy Blaze Color: Yellow Area Trail Map: None USGS Quad Map: Elk Park

Activities

  • HIKING

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Elk Falls Area-Big Falls TR 172 doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby North Carolina campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.

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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.