Bradley Falls
North Carolina • 75 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
The waterfall and the posted areas beside it on the Big Bradley Falls Trail are a Temporary Restricted Zone until further notice (closed since 2020). Entering without written approval from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission can be charged as a Class 3 misdemeanor.
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Moderate
Trail Length
2.0 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Bradley Falls
Bradley Falls, usually called Big Bradley Falls, is a waterfall of about 75 feet in a small gorge on Cove Creek in the Green River Game Land near Saluda, managed by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. Since 2020 the falls and the posted areas next to it along the Big Bradley Falls Trail have been a Temporary Restricted Zone, and entry requires written approval from the Commission. The Commission closed it after repeated fatal accidents and has said there is no safe view of the falls from the trail.
The Setting
Bradley Falls sits at 1,345 feet within Green River Game Land, in the foothills of North Carolina. The falls drop 75 feet.
Height: 75 feet
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
Before the 2020 closure, the main trail from Holbert Cove Road ran just under a mile one way to a rock-ledge overlook with only a partial view of the falls, and reaching the base required a rope-assisted climb down a near-vertical rock wall. The waterfall and the posted areas around it are now a restricted zone.
What to Expect
The falls drop 75 feet. Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Bradley Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs on N.C. game lands must be leashed from April 1 to August 15 and kept under the owner's control the rest of the year.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Bradley 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.
Safety Information
The Tryon Daily Bulletin reported eight fatal accidents at Big Bradley Falls between 2000 and 2020, which led to the closure. The rocks at the creek crossing and around the gorge are slippery and the cliffs are steep.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Cove Creek, 14.8 miles away, not on Bradley Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
67 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 75 years of record
2.10 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 COVE CREEK NEAR LAKE LURE, NC (24 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
67 cfs
5/10Tomorrow
Barely Flowing
72 cfs
5/10Tue
Barely Flowing
72 cfs
5/10Wed
Barely Flowing
69 cfs
5/10Thu
Barely Flowing
65 cfs
5/10Fri
Barely Flowing
68 cfs
5/10Sat
Barely Flowing
70 cfs
5/10Best window: Today — barely flowing flow, sunny (trip score 5/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid February to late April, peaking in April.
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 Saluda hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Bradley Falls Frozen?
Updated about 17 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Bradley Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 50°F to 39°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 67 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.
The laser survey finds one clean step here: roughly 305 feet of drop concentrated at the brink. Only part of that is the waterfall, which is listed at 75 feet; the rest is the canyon carrying on downstream. Elevation at the pin is about 1,353 feet.
The whole reach is steep: about 193 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 124 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face northwest 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
- 1,353 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 305 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Northwest
- 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 northwest).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
From I-26 exit 59 (Saluda), turn onto Holbert Cove Road (SR 1142) and drive about 3.1 miles to the parking area on the left just before the road crosses Cove Creek.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
The parking area is on the left side of Holbert Cove Road just before the road crosses Cove Creek.
Elevation
1,345 feet above sea level
Coordinates
35.268365° N, -82.291664° W
Land Management
Managed by UNK Restricted Access
Visitor Tips & Gear
Do not enter the posted restricted zone around the falls; violators can be charged with a misdemeanor.
Where to Stay
Green River Lodge
1850s Settlers Cabin at Wethero Ridge
Cabin on Gold Mine Hill
Fox Run at Lake Lure
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Nearby Campground
NORTH MILLS RIVER
22.1 miles away · 29 sites
Overview North Mills River Campground is a rustic mountain getaway in Pisgah National Forest in western North Carolina. Located just outside the popular city of Asheville, the campground provides access to a variety of cultural and natural attractions, including an arboretum, the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, and numerous hiking, fishing, and mountain biking opportunities.Winter Operations (November 16, 2025 - March 20, 2026):During winter months, this facility operates with limited services:No runn
Book on Recreation.govNearby Hot Springs
Hot springs near Tryon, North Carolina
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Nearby Attractions
Pearson's Falls, a Tryon Garden Club preserve off US 176 between Saluda and Tryon (reservations required), and the town of Saluda.
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, deer, and small mammals. Be cautious of snakes, especially in warmer months.
Cities near Bradley Falls
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