Sugar Creek Falls

Directions to Trailhead: From the main entrance to Western Carolina University, drive 3.8 miles south on NC 107 and turn left on Caney Fork Road (SR 1737). Follow it for 8.7 miles and turn right on Sugar Creek Road (SR 1746). At 0.6 mile, the pavement ends. Just beyond, a road bears right and crosses a creek. Continue straight to reach a bridge over Sugar Creek in another 0.2 mile. Park here unless you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle you don’t mind banging up.

Hike Description: Follow the dirt road upstream. You’ll soon reach a fork. Go left. At 0.2 mile, the road fords the creek. Plan to get wet unless the water is low. From the ford, the road climbs 0.15 mile to a sharp left switchback. From here, leave the road and follow a faint path that leads upstream to the falls.

Overview: At Sugar Creek Falls, you get two waterfalls for the price of one. From the base of the falls, you can look to the right and see a small waterfall on Dryland Laurel Branch in the same view. It’s a scenic setting. Sugar Creek Falls is great for photography, featuring a nice little cascade that is perfect for a foreground.