LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP
Bemis Camp Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
We could not confirm a public trail or access route to this waterfall.
About Bemis Camp Falls
Bemis Camp Falls is listed in the mountains west of Lake Santeetlah in Graham County, North Carolina, near the Tennessee state line. We could not find a published description, height, trail or access route for it.
Trail & Hike Details
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Bemis Camp Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Bemis Camp Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Valley River, 14 miles away, not on Bemis Camp Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
68 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 117 years of record
1.79 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average for this time of year.
About This Gauge
This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge VALLEY RIVER AT TOMOTLA, NC (23 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
68 cfs
5/10Tomorrow
Barely Flowing
73 cfs
5/10Tue
Barely Flowing
71 cfs
5/10Wed
Barely Flowing
68 cfs
5/10Thu
Barely Flowing
71 cfs
5/10Fri
Barely Flowing
78 cfs
5/10Sat
Barely Flowing
75 cfs
5/10Best window: Today — barely flowing flow, sunny (trip score 5/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid January to mid April, peaking in March.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Lake Santeetlah hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Bemis Camp Falls Frozen?
Updated about 17 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Bemis Camp Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 35°F to 29°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 70 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
1-meter lidar measures about 173 feet of descent through Bemis Camp Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. The brink sits at about 3,564 feet above sea level.
The whole reach is steep: about 217 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 73 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face north and stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 3,564 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 173 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- North
- Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading north).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Elevation
3,563 feet above sea level
Coordinates
35.341111° N, -84.002500° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
Where to Stay
The Junction
Mistletoe Cabin- Private cabin w views, Hottub, pet friendly
Quality Inn & Suites Robbinsville
Stonebrook Lodge Murphy
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby Campground
SWAN CABIN
1.3 miles away · 1 sites
Overview Nestled in a remote area of Nantahala National Forest, this primitive log cabin was built in 1931 by Frank Swan in a different location, then later it was moved to its current location near the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness. The cabin and the surrounding meadows are named for the Swan Family, who came to the area from Pennsylvania in the late 19th century. Swan Cabin offers a peaceful, quiet retreat where visitors can relax on the front porch and enjoy birdsong and views of the surro
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, deer, and small mammals. Visitors should be cautious of snakes and other potentially hazardous animals.
Cities near Bemis Camp Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
LiDAR
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