Cherokee National Forest, TN - Lower Higgins Creek Falls

State: Tennessee

Trailhead: https://maps.app.goo.gl/bLFvK1WYzpgpRYm17

Park: Cherokee National Forest

Length Lower Higgins Creek Falls (1.5 miles out-and-back)

Elevation: 482

Fee: Free

//

It's been exactly 555 days since I stepped onto the trails of Rocky Fork State Park and Cherokee National Forest. I've changed. But this landscape is transformed. Eight days after I left Rocky Fork in September 2024 following an off-trail waterfall adventure, Hurricane Helene hit and Erwin, TN made national news.

I never expected to see Erwin on the cover of the New York Times. Alas there she was, a small town along the Nolichucky River and a refuge for Appalachian Trail hikers, whitewater kayakers, and outdoor enthusiasts. But in those media photos, she wasn't nestled snugly and safely below the emerald mountains that so often descend into mist. Erwin was underwater. And much of her was destroyed.

Erwin cradled me through my medical school journey. While I worked and slept in Johnson City, my free moments were spent in Erwin rafting the Nolichucky, studying daily beside the river, and hiking the Appalachian Trail during study breaks. Chestoa Recreational Area, my riverside spot for studying, was my home away from home.

So when I arrived in Erwin in September 2024, eight days before Helene, I was disheartened to hear of how little rain they'd received during the season. The river was so low, that the whitewater rafting outfitters couldn't run. Waterfalls were trickling. Creeks that usually flowed high were sluggishly flowing past boulders.

And then Helene hit.

This off-trail waterfall was barely flowing on September 19, 2024

Driving into Erwin on this recent trip in March 2026 seemed ordinary until I drove to my previous hangout spot by the Nolichucky River. The river course was changed. A significant concrete bridge had been swept away like popsicle sticks, with rebar and concrete sagging towards the water beneath. A crumpled and uprooted tree, suspended 30 feet above the ground, stabbed into the rubble of the bridge. Detritus was visible on either side of the banks. It felt like a crime scene. I didn't recognize it.

All this to say, Erwin has been through a saga. It's a phenomenal town for outdoor enthusiasts, and one of its many appeals are waterfalls. If you want a short adventure to a 100 foot waterfall surrounded by sprawling rhododendron, Lower Higgins Falls is a solid bet for any hiker's list.

Lower Higgins Falls is one of several waterfalls and cascades along Higgins Creek, which flows into Rocky Fork Creek and eventually into the Nolichucky River.

A 1.5 mile journey along an old forest road, the trail is short but can be rugged depending on a hiker's experience. There's a persistent and rocky elevation gain that often transects streams on their journey towards Higgins Creek. You may get muddy, but that's half the fun.

At 0.75 miles you will hear the subtle rush of Lower Higgins Creek Falls. Glance to your right, and you'll see a wall of water descending into the holler below. There's a steep descent to the base of the waterfall. Handle this with care, especially if you're not in hiking boots. Take it slow and you'll make it just fine.

During March and April, the wildflowers threaten to steal the show from the water spectacle. Trillium, Carolina Beauties, Dutchman's Breeches, and Jack-in-the-Pulpit blanket the hillsides. If you want to see the full show, hike nearby Rocky Fork State Park in April. The park is renowned for its biodiversity and flora is a big reason for that designation.

An early trillium along the trail

After taking in Lower Higgins Creek Falls, return the way which you came. This is just one waterfall among a series in the region. I once said, "If you throw a rock in East TN, you'll hit a waterfall." That's how plentiful they are in this region.

This place is an absolute hidden gem. The Nolichucky River, despite her destructive power, is a unique and ethereal watercourse that's worth rafting, kayaking, or studying beside.

The Noli, as we affectionally call her, is an undammed river - a unique status in the United States. Part of her beauty lies in her power. And I hope sincerely she stays wild and free. Erwin and all of us who recreate here love her for her strength and elegance.

Check Erwin, TN out. You won't be disappointed. You might find yourself coming back year after year, drawn to this little mecca of outdoor peace.

--Happy Hiking