Secret Falls is a 54-foot tiered waterfall on Big Creek in Nantahala National Forest, Macon County, North Carolina, also called Big Shoals.
The falls
Big Creek drops in two tiers to a pool with a sandy beach, continuing over smaller falls downstream. Lidar data agrees with the reported total height of 54 feet.
Getting there
The trailhead sits on unpaved Forest Road 4567 in the Nantahala Ranger District, reached from NC 28 by way of Rich Gap Road and then 2.0 miles of FS 4567. From there the hike to the falls runs 0.5 to 0.7 mile, crossing the creek and descending steps to the base.
When to go
Forest Road 4567 is typically gated from December 15 to March 15, though walking in is still possible during that closure.
On site
Steps lead down to the pool, and the rocks downstream are slippery. On July 23, 2022, a man drowned while swimming at the falls, and warnings followed about cold water, strong currents and slick rocks.
History and name
The falls are also called Big Shoals. A national forest trailhead was built sometime between 1994 and 2005.
Nearby
Hedden Creek Falls is about 1.4 miles away, Talley Mill Creek Falls about 1.6 miles, Clear Creek Falls about 1.8 miles, and Walkingstick Falls, also on Big Creek, about 2.1 miles.
Distances are straight-line.