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Thunderhole Falls - Pisgah National Forest, NC

1,765 views · Published 8 November 2018 · 2:35 · Indexed 11 October 2026

Channel: Zachary Robbins · 2018 · Travel & Events

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This is a short video of Thunderhole Falls in Pisgah National Forest, NC, which was only the beginning of a full day hike of bushwhacking and creekwhacking Phillips Creek. The rest of the hike wasn't filmed due to lack of interesting features and constant rain that kept my electronics in a dry bag.

On a wet September 30 I met two friends to explore Thunderhole Falls and Phillips Creek, part of the Johns River watershed. This creek, a tributary of Thunderhole Creek, is located within Pisgah National Forest in close proximity to Blowing Rock, NC, but you'd be hard-pressed to find a place that feels more remote. We began at a campsite on FR 4071 and followed a shortcut to the China Creek Trail. Our first destination was Thunderhole Falls, which is located just upstream of the Thunderhole Creek and China Creek confluence. After you cross China Creek you'll meet the short Thunderhole Falls Trail, immediately crossing Thunderhole Creek. Both creeks required wet fords due to the rain, on a dry day you may be able to rock hop these. In general though, if you are visiting Thunderhole Falls be prepared to get wet.

Although Thunderhole Falls is located just below the trail, it is not easy to reach. A near-vertical dirt bank over 20 feet high requires a rope to safely descend. The two-tiered waterfall itself is small, estimated at 15 feet high, but is still pretty neat. The upper drop is divided into two distinct flows since the falls is located at the confluence with an unnamed tributary. It is a fun waterfall to move around to check out different angles for photography. Beyond the falls we followed the trail which petered out, and did a short bushwhack to rejoin FR 4071. Following FR 4071 south beside Big Ridge, we eventually got to an open area where we left the road and bushwhacked up the ridge, then dropped down the west side of the ridge into the Phillips Creek gorge. This narrow gorge was a muddy mess from all the rain, and we only found a series of large cascades that could qualify as a waterfall. Due to the increasingly heavy rain and wet brush, I put all of my electronics into a dry bag and never took them out because I did not see anything worthwhile. It was a long day of bushwhacking up and down into the gorge without much reward. We did not go all the way up to the forks, but it is doubtful you will find anything better. 

Hike was 7.8 miles with 2,330 feet elevation gain in 6 hours and 30 minutes.

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