Red Butt Falls

Directions to Trailhead: See the Panthertown Valley introduction for directions to the Cold Mountain Gap trailhead, on the east side.

Hike Description: Hike as you would to Jawbone Falls. When you reach the fork with Riding Ford Trail, take the right fork and continue following Devils Elbow Trail. In 0.3 mile, you’ll cross a small branch. In another 130 feet, you’ll reach a fork. Devils Elbow Trail goes right. Take the left fork. You’ll come to another fork in 150 feet. You can go either way here. The more direct route is via the right fork. It goes about 0.15 mile to where a side path cuts sharply left. Continue straight ahead and you’ll reach the top of Red Butt Falls in another 0.12 mile.
If you take the left fork, the path descends to the river in less than 100 yards. It comes out directly below Elbow Falls. Another path turns to the right just before the river. That path winds for 0.13 mile, joining the path described above.
Once you leave Devils Elbow Trail, you’ll no longer be hiking on an official Forest Service trail. The trails are not signed, but they’re well worn and should be easy to follow.

Overview: See the Panthertown Valley introduction for general information about the area.
Red Butt Falls hosts far fewer visitors than the more popular waterfalls in Panthertown, but it’s just as scenic as many of them. It’s similar to Riding Ford Falls, except that it’s much bigger and ends in a scenic cascade. Overhanging the pool is a rock cliff. The river makes a 90-degree turn when it hits the cliff. The setting here is beautiful.
A big drawback is that in order to get good view of the waterfall, you have to wade the river at the top and walk alongside the falls. In typical summer flows, this isn’t a big problem for anyone willing to tackle a 5.5-mile hike. But if the water is up, you should save it for another time. The waterfall is not steep, so walking alongside it is easy as long as you pay careful attention to where you step. If you’re careless, you’ll learn how the waterfall got its name.

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