Granite Falls

While in the Morganton area, we checked nearby areas in our search for new waterfalls to visit. On the map, not too far from Morganton, we saw a city called Granite Falls. After some research, we discovered that there is a waterfall in Granite Falls called Granite Falls, on Gunpowder Creek, located inside a golf course community near the Granite Falls Sewer Plant.

We located some GPS coordinates and set off in search of the namesake waterfall. The coordinates were incorrect and left us in the middle of town. I had some directions that I had found as well, but from the middle of town could not figure out how to get to where my directions started. So we did an internet search for a golf course community in Granite Falls. Our search produced the Granada Farms Country Club.

We continued through the small town and as we got closer to the country club; I noticed that our directions started to match the ones I had found on the Internet. The directions led us to the golf course community we were looking for. We drove through the community in search of our new waterfall.

However, our trek was in vain as the gate leading to the waterfall was closed. Since permission to visit the waterfall is only if the gate is open, we turned around and headed out.

I’ve included the directions below, but please note this waterfall is on private property and can only be visited if the gate is open and you are not permitted to drive through the second gate. Someone mentioned that there are no trespassing signs around the sewer plant.

I have to mention that it was very disappointing to not have public access when they feature the waterfall on the town’s water tower and on their city seal.

Just an extra note, when we stopped at a gas station less than 5 minutes away, on our way to our next destination there were signs all over saying to lock your door if you are not in your car to prevent theft.

While Granite Falls was a bust, we did visit South Mountains State Park and McGalliard Falls Park which weren’t too far away and had very nice waterfalls. We highly recommend them both. South Mountains State Park has two waterfalls that are quite scenic – High Shoals Falls and Big Bear Falls.