Accessibility – Easy

Height – 15′

Distance – Scramble down from road

Beauty – 7

Photo rating – 8

Solitude – 6

GPS Info: LAT 35.1995 LONG -82.8645

Last updated: 07/24/2016

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Lemon Falls is a two-drop, fifteen foot high waterfall in Pisgah Forest right off of Macedonia Church Road. The falls is located on Lemance Creek less than a mile from NC-215. The setting is below the road so despite the proximity, the falls feels more isolated.

To get to Lemon Falls take NC215 heading North from the intersection with US64 just west of Brevard. Macedonia Church Road will be on your left approximately 6 miles from the turn onto NC215. If you’re coming form the Blue Ridge Parkway head south. The right onto Macedonia Church Road is around 10.7 miles down. Follow Macedonia Church Road for 0.6 of  mile to a pullout on the left side of the road. There is enough room for three or four cars. The creek is down below the road. From the edge of the parking area several steep trails lead down to the creek. Pick the one that looks the safest and head down. I took the one further from the falls and worked my way back up the creek since this access offered more handholds. It also featured a tricky rock section. On the way up I took the one closest to the falls. In either case, the fact a thunderstorm had just saturated the ground made both routes harrowing.

The falls is tucked back in a secluded corner and drops over four  shelves. The middle two comprise most of the height. The dark rock and closed canopy provide for a tranquil setting and provide an excellent photo opportunity. I expected to have this one to myself since it was a Wednesday afternoon and a thunderstorm had just blown through but before I could finish up taking my pictures a family of 5 arrived. Immediately after their arrival the selfie sticks were out, which was followed by dear old dad, leading one of the boys to the top of the falls, presumably to endanger his life. This was our cue to pack up.

The scramble down is kid friendly and it probably would have been more so if it hadn’t just rained. The photo opportunities are ample. You can shoot from the area to the right of the falls where you came down the path of you can wade over to the rocky area in front. I was kind of partial to the front view.