Bard Falls

This waterfall is a narrow tumble and cascade into a deep trough, that opens up and spills out into a deep pool - a fantastic swimming hole (if the water isn't super high). It isn't particularly high, but it's pretty enough by itself and in such a neat wilderness-like setting. There are some cool rock formations - an overhanging bluff on the right, and a couple of potholes on the left (looking up). One of them has tunneled all the way down through the rock to the base of the falls. There are nice areas for hanging out and enjoying the view.

Directions

Driving

There are several ways to get here, but I'll describe the one I'm most familiar with. From the Wilson Creek Visitor Center at 7805 Brown Mountain Beach Rd., go 3.1 miles North to NC. route 90 (one of NC's last unpaved state roads) and turn left. Go 1 mile and turn left on F.R. 464. Go about 3.5 miles uphill and the trailhead for trail #266A is on the left. Park here.

Trail

Take trail #266A downhill. The trail is generally narrow but well maintained and not steep. It does have a few places where the slope drops off steeply below, so it's probably not for small children. It crosses a few small side streams. The trail ends at the N. Harper Creek Trail and the creek is just ahead; turn left, downstream. The trail crosses the creek about 1/4 mile down - it will be a wade unless there is a drought, but it's not much above knee deep. Pick up the trail again on the other side and continue downstream for about 1/2 mile more.

While there will be some rock bluffs on your right, you will pass some smaller cascades, and then the waterfall on your left. The trees open up and you can get a view from the top of the falls on the open rock if it is not wet and you stay well back from the steeper parts. Some people scoot down the rock here to the base, but don't do that - go back to the trail and continue downhill, passing a wet area on the left. You'll come to another rocky drainage - though safer, it's still a steep, slippery scramble down to the flat area at the base of the falls from here.