Queens Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
Historical records say this waterfall was largely destroyed when Queens Creek was diverted for hydroelectric power, and we found no maintained trail or current access information for it.
Photo Credits (2)
About Queens Falls
Queens Falls was a waterfall on Queens Creek, a stream that rises in northwest Macon County and flows into the Nantahala River in the Nantahala Gorge. The North Carolina Gazetteer records that the falls was obliterated when Nantahala Power and Light Company diverted the creek for a hydroelectric project, and Queens Creek Lake was built upstream in 1948. We found no current trail, height or access information for what remains of the falls.
Trail & Hike Details
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Queens Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Queens 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 Nantahala River, 2.1 miles away, not on Queens Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
150 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 21 years of record
1.61 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
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge NANTAHALA RIVER NEAR HEWITT, NC (3 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
66 cfs
5/10Tomorrow
Barely Flowing
71 cfs
5/10Thu
Low
88 cfs
4/10Fri
Low
87 cfs
4/10Sat
Barely Flowing
84 cfs
5/10Sun
Barely Flowing
68 cfs
5/10Mon
Barely Flowing
67 cfs
5/10Best window: Today — barely flowing flow, mostly sunny (trip score 5/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid January to late January, peaking in December.
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 Robbinsville hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Queens Falls Frozen?
Updated about 7 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Queens Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 63°F to 36°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 66 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 ground through the falls loses about 192 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The ground at the falls is roughly 2,949 feet above sea level.
The whole reach is steep: about 131 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 89 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face west and glow in afternoon and evening light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 2,949 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 192 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- West
- Glows in afternoon and evening light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading west).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Elevation
2,959 feet above sea level
Coordinates
35.274621° N, -83.658240° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
Where to Stay
The Lodge Nantahala River
Cute Little Cabin (Near the Nantahala River)
Quality Inn & Suites Robbinsville
Phillips Historic Motel & Cottages
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
CHEOAH POINT CAMPGROUND
13.7 miles away · 23 sites
Overview Cheoah Point Campground lies on a peninsula of the vast Lake Santeetlah in the hills of western North Carolina. The lake and surrounding landscape provide countless recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Recreation Anglers enjoy fishing for trout, walleye, a variety of bass, bream and crappie and more in the 2,800-acre Lake Santeetlah. Boating, canoeing, jet skiing and swimming are also popular activities on the lake. Nearby, the Wauchecha Bald Trail, which begins as a an ea
Book on Recreation.govNearby Hot Springs
Hot springs near Andrews, North Carolina
Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Andrews, North Carolina on SoakingSprings.
Explore North Carolina springsAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Queens Creek Lake, a small power-company reservoir on upper Queens Creek, and the Nantahala Gorge are nearby.
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, deer, and small mammals. Be cautious of snakes and other potentially hazardous animals.
Cities near Queens Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
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