High Shoals Falls Mountains State Park, Connelly Springs

Lots of steps! Tough climb to the top, so anyone with littles or knee trouble, stop at the bottom and turn around. No swimming at this waterfall, but some cool spots downstream you can dip your feet in. Don't wast your time on Upper Falls trail; there are no more waterfalls past High Shoals Falls. No trash cans either, so pack it all out!

Beautiful waterfall with easy access to get great photos. There is a lot of stairs to get to the area for the waterfall but benches/rocks to rest along the way.

South mountain chestnut knob trail wasn't that scenic but a great work out. Went halfway up high shoals to the waterfall which was nice.

It was a great hike and wonderful waterfall

Loved coming here. Waterfalls were definitely worth the drive! Make sure you have hiking/ trail shoes on.

High Shoals Falls is an 80-foot cascade on Jacob Fork, a Class III Outstanding Resource Waterbody and trout protection area. The falls are accessed by the 2.5-mile High Shoals Falls Loop trail (blazed by a blue circle) approximately 1.9 miles from the trailhead, walking clockwise. A clockwise route is recommended by park staff because it includes the stairway portion earlier in the hike, and leaves a more moderate downslope return to the parking area. Note the blaze, because the waterfall can be incorporated into much longer, overlapping and spur routes. The hike begins and in a wet, riparian forest with a deciduous canopy and sensitive herbaceous vegetation, so stay on the path to prevent erosion. Wildflowers, including Jack-in-the-pulpit, lady slipper and foam flowers, as well as shrubs like mountain laurel, azaleas, and rhododendrons can be seen. The top of the falls are considered by most to be too shallow to swim and contain slick, dangerous rocks. However the trail and stairs get quite close to the water's edge allowing excellent photo opportunities. The upper portion of the trail contains mature mixed hardwoods as well as a few hemlock and other mixed conifers. Listen carefully and you might identify one of more than 60 species of birds, such as a ruffed grouse, black-throated green warbler and rose-breasted grosbeak. You may also find Acadian flycatchers, common crows, Carolina chickadees, wood thrushes, red-eyed vireos, oven birds, hooded warblers, indigo buntings and Eastern towhees. Common ravens also nest in the cliffs above the falls. Pets are allowed on the trail, but are subject to leash and litter laws, and the full length may be too difficult for most pets.

Beautiful!!! Great waterfalls, hiking, and swimming!!

Great, but strenuous hike. Beautiful falls. Definitely plan to come back for camping!

Beautiful place with good facilities, a ton of trails and picnic areas. Waterfalls are very close to the parking.

One of the most beautiful park in NC.