Courthouse Falls
- Height
- 45 ft
- Hike
- 0.3 mi each way
- Elevation gain
- 30 ft
- Road
- Gravel
- Permit
- Not required
Courthouse Falls drops about 45 ft on Courthouse Creek in Transylvania County, North Carolina. Reaching it is a 0.3 mi hike each way with 30 ft of elevation gain.
Closures and warnings
Courthouse Falls Trail is narrow and shaded; log bridges and wooden steps stay slippery. Stay on the main trail until the distinct spur; shortcutting causes erosion. As of September 28, 2026.
The falls
| Height | 45 ft |
|---|---|
| Flow note | 45-foot waterfall dropping into a large, deep pool in a shaded cove. |
| Water type | Waterfall basin |
|---|
Access
| Hike | 0.3 mi each way |
|---|---|
| Elevation gain | 30 ft |
| Road | Gravel |
| Road note | FS 140 (Courthouse Creek Road) is a gravel forest road; temporarily closed to motor vehicles (non-motorized use allowed). |
| Parking | When FS 140 is open: small pull-off at Summey Cove (#129) trailhead about 2.5 mi up the road. When gated: park without blocking the gate at NC 215 / FS 140. |
| Hours | Year-round |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Seasonal closure | Courthouse Creek Road (FSR 140) temporarily closed to motor vehicles; non-motorized use allowed. USFS: closure adds about 5 miles roundtrip to reach the falls. |
| Managed by | USDA Forest Service (Pisgah National Forest, Pisgah Ranger District) |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Courthouse Falls open?
Courthouse Falls Trail is narrow and shaded; log bridges and wooden steps stay slippery. Stay on the main trail until the distinct spur; shortcutting causes erosion. As of September 28, 2026. Seasonal closure: Courthouse Creek Road (FSR 140) temporarily closed to motor vehicles; non-motorized use allowed. USFS: closure adds about 5 miles roundtrip to reach the falls. Hours: Year-round.
How tall is Courthouse Falls?
Courthouse Falls drops about 45 ft.
How long is the hike to Courthouse Falls?
It's a 0.3 mi hike each way with 30 ft of elevation gain. The road in is gravel. FS 140 (Courthouse Creek Road) is a gravel forest road; temporarily closed to motor vehicles (non-motorized use allowed). Parking: When FS 140 is open: small pull-off at Summey Cove (#129) trailhead about 2.5 mi up the road. When gated: park without blocking the gate at NC 215 / FS 140.
Do you need a reservation for Courthouse Falls?
No reservation or permit is required.
When is Courthouse Falls flowing?
45-foot waterfall dropping into a large, deep pool in a shaded cove.
Nearby
Camping nearby
Public land
Courthouse Falls is inside National Forests in North Carolina .
Sources
1
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/recreation/trails/courthouse-falls-trail (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager / hikeDistanceMi, waterbodyName, access.parking / directions, access.hikeDistanceBasis, swimmerNotes.waterType, access.roadSurface, access.seasonalClosure, waterfall.heightFt / deep pool)
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