Little Bird Falls is a very beautiful and photogenic waterfall located just a short distance off of Highway 215 in Pisgah National Forest. There is no “official” trail to the falls, but there is a trail leading from the road to the falls.
Waterfall Details | |
|---|---|
| Location: | Highway 215, North Carolina, Pisgah National Forest |
| Roundtrip Distance: | Less than .5 miles roundtrip |
| Difficulty: | Moderate |
| Handicap Accessible: | No – Although the waterfall is visible from the road during the winter. |
| Dog Friendly: | Yes |
| Features: | Beautiful dense hardwood forest, creek and waterfall, abundant wildflowers |
| Directions: | From the Parkway, take Highway 215 North for 5.7 miles. The falls are to the left and up in the woods. The fall area is behind a guardrail, and the trail begins on the right side of the guardrail. Parking is available in small pull over areas on both sides of the waterfall. |
| Recommended Gear: | No gear is required, however we do recommend bringing a camera |
Little Bird Falls, NC
Highway 215, between Bethel NC, and the Blue Ridge Parkway is not only a wonderful scenic drive, but also provides access to a number of great waterfalls and hiking trails. One of them, is Little Bird Falls, located 5.7 miles from the Parkway, north on Highway 215.
Little Bird Falls is a beautiful cascade over some large rocks, that is about 20-30 foot tall. Below the falls are a number of smaller falls as well, along the creek. The area surrounding the falls is exquisite and green during the spring and summer.
Hiking to Little Bird Falls
To access the falls, park in one of the small pull over areas on both sides of Highway 215. They are small, so they may be full in the summer. If so, drive a little further north on Highway 215, and there is a larger parking area on the right, where you can park and walk up.
The falls are visible from the road in the winter and early spring, but once the foliage completely grows in, Little Bird Falls is difficult to see from the road. The creek itself is visible though, and flows through a metal pipe under the road. There is guardrail in front of the area.
To the immediate right of the guardrail is the trailhead. Little Bird Falls is not a well known place, so the trail isn’t obvious and is a bit rough in places, especially in the summer. Just follow the creek up and you’ll see the falls, it’s a few hundred feet from the road. The “scramble” trail from the road is short, and leads up to an old logging road or rail bed. From there it’s easy going.
Tread lightly as you climb up the trail and explore the creek and waterfall. There is lots of moss, small trees, plants, and especially wildflowers all along the trail and around the falls. Due to the lack of visitation and associated traffic, the area is pretty pristine and natural.
Please leave no trace, and leave this gorgeous area as is for others to enjoy.
We love to come here, and just spend time taking photos, sitting on the rocks, and enjoying the sites and sounds of the area. The amount of green here is almost magical in the spring in summer. Moss is everywhere.
Waterfall flow is heavier in the Fall, and diminishes some as Fall arrives.
Little Bird Falls NC Video
Here’s one of our videos of Little Bird Falls, taken in late Winter – In fact you can still see frost, ice, and snow around the waterfall and creek.
Please visit our YouTube Channel for more videos like this one!
