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Visit Thoughtfully: Fall Adventures Await in Jackson County, NC Learn more

Carlton Falls

Rhododendron, hemlock, and mountain laurel adorn this chute, which commemorates a man as memorable as the scenery itself.

Fed by Greenland Creek, this falls features multiple sections of sliding cascades, totaling 45 feet in height. The waterfall’s namesake, Carlton McNeill died at age 86 in 2007 after years of living in and caring for the hiking trails and scenery of Panthertown Valley. It’s hard to find a veteran hiker of the area who doesn’t have a memory of McNeill stumbling out of the woods to give them a hand with their expedition.

Contact Information

Get Directions 35.14471, -82.99451
Photo of Carlton Falls

Get Directions to Carlton Falls

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Hike Description

Hike to Greenland Creek Falls and look for the path climbing the bank beside the falls on river right. Make sure you have both hands free, and take a deep breath before you start the ridiculously steep climb. You’ll come to a boulder on the right where a faint path turns to the right behind the boulder. Stay left here on the main “trail.” You’ll soon finish the climb, then descend back to the creek.

The path comes out a few yards above the brink of Greenland Creek Falls. A small, scenic cascade lies upstream. Be careful if you get out in the creek here. The rocks are slippery.

The path follows the creek upstream from the top of Greenland Creek Falls. It’s sometimes close to the creek, sometimes several yards away, but always twisting and winding. About 225 yards from the brink of Greenland Creek Falls, you’ll pass close to the creek at a scenic section of long slides and cascades that end in a large pool. In another 325 yards, a 10-foot spur path leads to the creek below a small, scenic waterfall above a long pool. This little falls is named Halfway Falls on the Guide’s Guide to Panthertown map. You’ll want to spend time here.

Continuing on the trail, it’s another 0.42 mile to Carlton Falls. You can’t see the upper portion well from the base, but if you look around, you’ll find a path leading up the river-right side to the middle of the falls.

Trails and Waterfalls can be dangerous; take no chances, only photos for memories. Read our Safety and Insider tips to have a safe, fun and enjoyable trip to Jackson County.

Leave No Trace — Seven Principles

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

For more details, visit www.lnt.org
©1999 by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics.

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