Right now
Right now as of Nov 6, 2026
- Permit None needed.
Status note (Nov 6, 2026): Open, as far as we can tell: on November 6, 2026 the Forest Service's Elk River Falls page (last updated May 28, 2026) showed no closure notice. Its active prohibitions alert bans camping, alcohol and being in the area from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. What the status labels mean
Elk River Falls, known locally as Big Falls, is a 65-foot waterfall on the Elk River in Pisgah National Forest, near Elk Park in Avery County, North Carolina. A rocky 0.5-mile walkway leads from the parking lot in about 15 minutes. The area is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Forest Service calls it one of the deadliest scenic attractions in Avery County and tells visitors to stay out of the water.
About Elk River Falls
The Forest Service describes Elk River Falls as "a 65 foot high waterfall along the Elk River." Banner Elk's tourism site gives a lower height of 50 feet. The Forest Service's 2025 reopening release adds that the falls are "known locally as Big Falls."
The site is in the Appalachian Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest. The Forest Service says "This is an open recreation area and is not a developed recreation site." There are no restrooms and no potable water.
Helene closure and reopening
After Hurricane Helene, the area closed for cleanup. The Forest Service reopened it on Friday, July 11, 2025, "following several months of work to clear debris left by Hurricane Helene."
The same release says "The parking area and entry road leading to Elk River Falls have also been repaired and resurfaced to provide better access."
The area later closed again for more debris removal. On May 22, 2026, WataugaOnline reported that the Forest Service had reopened the area after contractors finished removing remaining storm debris along the Elk River corridor. The Forest Service page was last updated May 28, 2026.
Other western North Carolina falls on this site include Linville Falls and Catawba Falls.
Getting there and parking
Banner Elk's tourism site gives the address as 3984 Elk River Road, Elk Park, NC 28622. The Forest Service says the walkway "begins at the Elk Park parking lot and ends at Big Falls."
The map pin on this page uses the Forest Service's own coordinates for the site.
No fee is listed on the Forest Service page, and no source we read mentions one.
Hours
A Forest Service order (No. 03-03-2005) prohibits "Being in Elk Falls Recreation area between the hours of 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM." In practice, the area is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The recreation page itself lists no operating hours.
Before you go
Bring your own water and plan around the lack of restrooms. The Forest Service says neither restrooms nor potable water are available at the site.
For questions, call the Appalachian Ranger District at (828) 689-9694 or email appalachianrd@usda.gov.
Map and nearby falls
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The walkway to the falls
The Forest Service describes "a rocky walkway access (.5 mile)" from the parking lot to the falls. It says "Average walking time is approximately 15 minutes to the falls."
It also warns that "The walkway is not maintained as a trail." Banner Elk's tourism site says there are "many rocks and roots along the way," so wear sturdy shoes.
Banner Elk's figure is shorter than the Forest Service's: "about a third of a mile to get to the bottom of the waterfall (0.6 miles round-trip)."
Banner Elk says you can view the falls from near the top, or walk down to a large rock beside the pool at the bottom. At the top viewpoint, it warns: "never venture too close at this vantage point."
Neither the Forest Service page nor the Forest order mentions dogs. The order prohibits camping, unless a spot is specifically posted as authorized, and possessing alcoholic beverages.
When to visit
The area is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. under the Forest order. The prohibitions alert has been active since August 25, 2023, with no end date, and was last updated June 8, 2026.
The site has closed more than once since Hurricane Helene, so check the Forest Service page on the day you go.
The Forest Service page lists no season or flow information, and we found no other official statement on the best months.
| Height | 65 ftNote: per the Forest Service; Banner Elk's tourism site says 50 ft |
|---|---|
| Trail | 0.5-mile rocky walkway from the Elk Park parking lot to the falls, about 15 minutes (Forest Service); not maintained as a trail |
| Difficulty | Not rated; a rocky walkway the Forest Service says is not maintained as a trail |
| Time needed | About 15 minutes to the falls (Forest Service) |
| Entry fee | No fee is listed on the Forest Service page. |
| Permit / reservation | No permit listed; camping and alcohol are prohibited under Forest Order 03-03-2005 |
| Parking | Elk Park parking lot |
| Hours / season | 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.: Forest Order 03-03-2005 prohibits being in the area from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. |
| Dogs | Not mentioned on the Forest Service page or in the Forest order |
| Swimming | Not banned by the Forest order, but the Forest Service tells visitors to remain out of the water because of a strong undercurrent. It says jumping from the falls has caused deaths and paralysis |
| Wheelchair / stroller | No accessible route listed; the walkway is rocky and not maintained as a trail (Forest Service) |
| Walk behind the falls | No |
| Restrooms | None; no potable water either (Forest Service) |
| Best time to visit | No official best month |
| Managed by | USDA Forest Service, Pisgah National Forest (Appalachian Ranger District) |
Safety and swimming
The Forest Service is direct: "It's also one of the deadliest scenic attractions in Avery County, NC. Deaths and very serious injuries including paralysis have occurred when people jumped from the top of this waterfall."
It adds: "Don't be the next victim and don't put emergency responders at risk."
Entering the water just above or below the falls "can be extremely dangerous," the 2025 release says. It cites "an incredibly strong undercurrent and the height of the waterfall." Visitors should "remain out of the water" and not climb the rocks around the falls.
The Forest order does not ban swimming. The Forest Service still tells visitors to remain out of the water, so do not swim, wade or jump here.
WataugaOnline's May 2026 report quoted the Forest Service: "Swimming, wading, and jumping in the water directly above or below the falls is strongly discouraged." Banner Elk's tourism site warns of "an undertow current that pulls everything to the bottom of the pool."
On the walkway, the Forest Service asks you to "use extreme caution near the falls and on the walkway." Follow all posted signs. Our waterfall safety guide explains why plunge pools are so dangerous.
Conditions change: confirm with the Forest Service before you go.
Where to stay near Elk River Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Elk Park.
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Photos
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Elk River Falls FAQ
Can you swim at Elk River Falls?
No, not safely. The Forest order does not ban it, but the Forest Service tells visitors to remain out of the water because of what it calls "an incredibly strong undercurrent". It says deaths and paralysis have occurred when people jumped from the top of the falls.
How tall is Elk River Falls?
65 feet, according to the Forest Service, which says the falls are known locally as Big Falls. Banner Elk's tourism site says 50 feet.
How long is the walk to Elk River Falls?
The Forest Service lists a 0.5-mile rocky walkway from the Elk Park parking lot, taking about 15 minutes. It says the walkway is not maintained as a trail. Banner Elk's tourism site says about a third of a mile to the bottom.
Is Elk River Falls open?
As far as we can tell, yes. On November 6, 2026, the Forest Service page showed no closure notice. The area reopened on July 11, 2025 after Hurricane Helene, and WataugaOnline reported another reopening on May 22, 2026.
What are the hours at Elk River Falls?
6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Forest Order 03-03-2005 prohibits being in the Elk Falls Recreation Area between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Is there a fee at Elk River Falls?
No fee is listed on the Forest Service page, and no source we read mentions one.
Can you camp or drink alcohol at Elk River Falls?
No. The Forest order prohibits camping, unless a site is specifically posted as authorized, and possessing alcoholic beverages in the Elk Falls Recreation Area.
Are there restrooms at Elk River Falls?
No. The Forest Service says restrooms and potable water are not available at the site, so bring your own water.
Nearby waterfalls
Linville Falls17 mi straight-linePartly open150FT
Crabtree Falls28 mi straight-lineClosed60FT
Catawba Falls44 mi straight-lineOpen205FT
High Shoals Falls46 mi straight-lineClosed80FT
Hickory Nut Falls55 mi straight-lineOpen404FT
All waterfalls in North Carolina
City guides: Waterfalls near Charlotte, NC
Sources
- USDA Forest Service: Elk Falls Area-Elk River Falls (Big Falls) (last updated May 28, 2026; read Nov 6, 2026)
- USDA Forest Service: Elk River Recreation Area Prohibitions, Appalachian Ranger District, Order 03-03-2005 (updated Jun 8, 2026; read Nov 6, 2026)
- USDA Forest Service: Elk River Falls reopens after Helene recovery efforts (Jul 10, 2025; read Nov 6, 2026)
- Banner Elk TDA: Elk River Falls (update May 27, 2026; read Nov 4, 2026)
- WataugaOnline: Elk River Falls reopens just in time for Memorial Day weekend (May 22, 2026; read Nov 4, 2026)
Last verified Nov 6, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with USDA Forest Service, Pisgah National Forest (Appalachian Ranger District) before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.