The 25 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Waterfalls in North Carolina

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[Updated March 8, 2022]

Western North Carolina waterfalls are both plentiful and stunning as they cascade down the state’s ruggedly majestic peaks, including the Blue Ridge Mountains, Great Balsams, Black, and Craggies.

Of course, if ever there were a perfect scenic road for soaking in NC’s natural wonders, the Blue Ridge Parkway is that route.

The historic road cuts right through the state’s Western ridges, ranging from the Virginia border all the way down to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

In the 250+ miles of parkway that traverses WNC, you’ll find some of the best waterfalls in North Carolina are at your disposal. Including them on your Blue Ridge Parkway road trip is an absolute must!

Fear not, for we have created this convenient list of the best Blue Ridge Parkway waterfalls in NC to help you plan your ultimate BRP itinerary…

READ MORE: The Best Blue Ridge Parkway Hotels & Cabin Rentals in NC

Blue Ridge Parkway Waterfalls Guide

  1. Basin Creek Trail (Milepost 243.7)
  2. Cascades (Milepost 271.9)
  3. Elk River Falls (Milepost 292)
  4. Hebron Falls (Milepost 296.4)
  5. Otter Falls (Milepost 305.2)
  6. Linville Falls (Milepost 316.4)
  7. Duggers Creek Falls (Milepost 316.5)
  8. Tom’s Creek Falls (Milepost 331)
  9. Grassy Creek Falls (Milepost 333.9)
  10. Bon Ami Waterfall (Milepost 333.9)
  11. Crabtree Falls (Milepost 339.5)
  12. Roaring Fork Falls (Milepost 344.1)
  13. Setrock Creek Falls (Milepost 344.1)
  14. Glassmine Falls (Milepost 362.1)
  15. Douglas Falls (Milepost 363.4)
  16. Looking Glass Falls (Milepost 411.8)
  17. Upper Whitewater Falls (Milepost 412)
  18. Log Hollow Falls (Milepost 412)
  19. Discovery Falls (Milepost 412)
  20. Skinny Dip Falls (Milepost 417)
  21. Graveyard Field Falls (Milepost 418.8)
  22. Dill Falls (Milepost 423)
  23. Soco Falls (Milepost 455.7)
  24. Tom’s Branch Falls (Milepost 469.1)
  25. Mingo Falls (Milepost 469.1)

Love North Carolina Waterfalls? Check out these guides!

The 20 Best Western North Carolina Waterfalls for Hiking

The 15 Best Pisgah National Forest Waterfalls to Explore

The 10 Best Lakes in the North Carolina Mountains to Visit

The 27 Best Waterfalls Near Asheville NC

The Top 15 Waterfalls Near Brevard NC (Transylvania County)

How to Get to Otter Falls Near Banner Elk NC

The 10 Best Waterfalls Near Boone NC

How to Get to Hooker Falls NC (in DuPont State Forest)

How to Get to Crabtree Falls Near Little Switzerland NC 

 

Boone Waterfalls & Blowing Rock Waterfalls (Milepost 243.7-305.2)

Waterfall off Basin Creek Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway
Small Waterfall off the Basin Creek Trail, photo via Canva

1. Basin Creek Trail

BRP Milepost 243.7

Trailhead 0 Miles from Parkway

Though the Basin Creek Trail doesn’t necessarily have a marquee waterfall to offer, it does have a series of small, but beautiful cascades to enjoy over the course of the 3.3-mile creek side trail.

The potential drawback of Basin Creek is that the trail takes quite a bit of hiking to reach.

It’s an all-day affair, but a great Blue Ridge Parkway hike for a NC day trip… and waterfalls.

To get there, hikers use the Alligator Back Overlook to get to the Bluff Mountain Trail (less than a mile).

From there you can access the Bluff Ridge Primitive Trail (2.8 miles) to travel downhill to Grassy Gap Fire Road for a quick hop over to Basin Creek Trail (3.3 miles).

READ MORE: The 10 Hiking Essentials Packing List for the Blue Ridge Mountains

Cascades Trail
Cascades Waterfall, Photo by Dawson Tozier

2. Cascades

BRP Milepost 271.9

Trailhead 0 Miles from Parkway

Situated at E.B. Jeffress Park in Deep Gap, the waterfall simply known as Cascades is one of the premier Boone NC attractions.

The falls are actually located about 15 miles northeast of the beloved Blue Ridge Mountain Town, but still Boone has claimed this beautiful NC waterfall as its own.

The Cascades Trail is accessible directly from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Barely over a mile, the easy out-and-back trail is takes visitors to multiple overlooks of this series of falls formed by the aptly named Falls Creek.

Not only is the trail short and gentle, but it’s also informative, with signs on the notable flora of the area.

READ MORE:  The 15 Best Things to Do in Boone NC (Blue Ridge Parkway MM 291.8)

Couple at Elk River Falls in Banner Elk NC
Elk River Falls, photo by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

3. Elk River Falls

BRP Milepost 292

Trailhead 15 Miles from Parkway

Though it requires a short 15-mile detour from the parkway, Elk River Falls holds the kind of natural beauty that unquestionably demands getting off the beaten track for a few minutes.

It’s the quintessential plunge waterfall that dives into an incredible pool. And once you reach the Elk River Falls trailhead, the hike to the gorgeous falls is ever so brief.

This leaves plenty of time for dangling your feet in the water while nibbling on a sandwich and sipping something cold from one of Boone NC Breweries

There’s also a fleet of inviting rocks upon which to sprawl while gazing at the falls.

Elk River Falls is just a short drive from Banner Elk and other top High Country destinations that have some of the best places for snow-tubing and snow skiing in North Carolina in the winter and Ziplining during the warmer months.

It’s also possible to walk across the border into Tennessee from the falls.

READ MORE: The 15 Best Cabin Rentals in Boone NC

Hebron Falls
One of the many unique features at Hebron Falls, Photo by Dawson Tozier

4. Hebron Falls

BRP Milepost 296.4

Trailhead 0 Miles from Parkway

Also known as Boone Fork Falls, Hebron Falls is located within the lovely Julian Price Memorial Park, right on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

For those who like a lingering, lounging series of pools and plunges rather than an all-out drop of a waterfall, this one is impressive.

The Boone Fork Trail is 3.2 miles, out-and-back, but it can also be done as a 5.4-mile loop.

The trail tunnels through rhododendron thickets and involves adventurous creek crossings while traveling beside both Boone Fork and Bee Tree Creek.

The trail to Hebron Falls is near the Julian Price Lake and picnic grounds, a wonderful place to enjoy the mountain scenery before or after visiting the falls.

READ MORE: The 15 Best Boone NC Hiking Trails to Explore

Otter Falls Trail near Banner Elk and Boone NC
Otter Falls Observation Deck, photo by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

5. Otter Falls

BRP Milepost 305.2

Trailhead 10 Miles from Parkway

Considered a must-see stop for those visiting Boone, Blowing Rock, or Banner Elk, Otter Falls is located in Seven Devils, which is renowned for snow-tubing in the winter and hiking in the summer.

The falls dive off a rock ledge and splash down onto a mossy rock face below.

The hike there is a pleasant walk along wide paths, roughly half a mile to the falls and the same back out.

While the waterfall doesn’t offer the grand display of nearby giants like Linville Falls and Crabtree Falls, it is hardly humble. In fact, Otter Falls is truly stunning.

Exploring the areas around this easy-to-reach waterfall can easily occupy a day or a week.

Your itinerary in the area could also include a zipline adventure and/or exploration of Grandfather Mountain State Park or Moses H. Cone Memeorial Park.

READ MORE: The 15 Best Things to Do in Blowing Rock NC

 

Burnsville Waterfalls & Little Switzerland Waterfalls (Milepost 316.4-344.1)

Linville Falls in Linville Gorge Wilderness
Linville Falls, photo by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

6. Linville Falls

BRP Milepost 316.4

Trailhead 0 Miles from Parkway

Long considered supreme royalty by serious waterfall-chasers, Linville Falls not only ranks among the best waterfalls in NC, but also one of the most accessible.

Located right off the Blue Ridge Parkway, this multi-tiered wonder plunges into the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, America’s first ever designated wilderness area.

Linville Falls is a fun waterfall to see because there are lots of perspectives from which to enjoy it.

An observation deck offers a close up view of the upper falls, while the much taller lower falls can be seen from several different observation platforms at varying altitudes.

Linville Falls is a staging point along the Parkway: There’s a first-rate campground here and easy access to a plethora of dynamite day trips from this central location!

READ MORE: Visiting Linville Falls Campgrounds, RV Park & Cabins in Linville Falls NC

Druggers Creek Falls along the Blue Ridge Parkway
Druggers Creek Falls, photo via Canva

7. Duggers Creek Falls

BRP Milepost 316.5

Trailhead 1.5 Miles from Parkway

Located near one of the major Blue Ridge Parkway attractions, Linville Falls, Duggers Creek Falls doesn’t often get its due attention.

To access Duggers Creek Falls, just park in the Linville Falls Parking Area, resist visiting Linville Falls for a moment, and head the opposite way.

The trailhead is in the corner of the parking lot, opposite the visitor center.

The hike to Duggers Creek Falls is very easy and short. A view of the falls from a bridge is just a 0.1-mile walk.

Getting to the base of the falls (which is not necessary, but some people enjoy it) requires scrambling down some rocks and wading in the creek a little.

Though the waterfall is rather small (about 15 feet tall) and tends to be low on water flow, the setting is incredibly beautiful, dropping into a verdant valley with mossy rock walls.

READ MORE: The 20 Best Treehouse Rentals in the North Carolina Mountains

Toms Creek Falls, NC
Toms Creek Falls NC, photo by WNC Outdoors via CC BY-SA 3.0

8. Tom’s Creek Falls

BRP Milepost 331

Trailhead 9 Miles from Parkway

Not far from the Alpine mountain town of Little Switzerland, Tom’s Creek Falls is one of the many first-rate waterfalls found in Pisgah National Forest.

This cascade intermittently drops over 80 feet on its journey down the mountainside. Although it’s located 9 miles off the BRP, this waterfall is well worth the extra effort.

It boasts a grandiose aura that could only get lost in the fact that it’s situated between two monster cascades, Linville Falls and Crabtree Falls.

Considered on its own merits, Tom’s Creek Falls (not to be confused with Tom Branch Falls in  Great Smoky Mountains National Park) truly earns its spot among the best waterfalls on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

READ MORE: The Mysterious Brown Mountain Lights of Morganton NC

Blue Ridge Parkway Waterfalls - Grassy Creek Falls
Grassy Creek Falls in Spruce Pine NC, photo by Charles & Maggie Boyer via CC BY 2.0.

9. Grassy Creek Falls

BRP Milepost 333.9

Trailhead <1 Mile from Parkway

Identified as a fairly easy waterfall hike, the trail to Grassy Creek Falls drops down to the falls on the way in and, thus, requires some leg-pumping elevation gain on the way out.

The route to this Spruce Pine waterfall passes through private property easements, so it’s only through their kindness and generosity that we get to appreciate it at all.

In other words, being respectful is paramount here. The owners have temporarily shut off access to the waterfall when incidents have occurred in the past.

The hike to Grassy Creek Falls is 2.8 miles round-trip. It’s near the seasonal mountain town of Little Switzerland, which is a great place to stop while you’re in the area.

READ MORE: 15 Best Things to Do in Little Switzerland NC (Blue Ridge Parkway MP 334)

Bon Ami Mine Tours at Emerald Village in Little Switzerland NC
The Bon Ami Mine at Emerald Village, photo by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

10. Bon Ami Waterfall

BRP Milepost 333.9

Trailhead 3 Miles from the Parkway

Bon Ami Waterfall is part of Emerald Village, a premier stop for those interested in learning more about the history of NC gem mining.

The destination includes a dozen historical mines and a slew of interesting artifacts, not to mention the precious stones and minerals that visitors can pan for.

The beautiful Bon Ami Waterfall splashes down just outside the entrance to the Bon Ami mine. In the early and mid-20th century, the mine produced feldspar, the primary ingredient for the popular Bon Ami cleaning powder.

There isn’t really a hike to the Bon Ami Waterfall to speak of. But there are daytime and nighttime tours of the old mines available, and plenty of adventuring to be done in the nearby area.

READ MORE: The 7 Best Caves & Caverns in North Carolina

How to Get to Crabtree Falls - Sisters at Crabtree Falls
Crabtree Falls, NC Photo by Emma Gallagher

11. Crabtree Falls

BRP Milepost 339.5

Trailhead 0 Miles from Parkway

An amazing waterfall that ripples its way down an impressive rock face near Pisgah National Forest hiking trails, Crabtree Falls should not be missed by anyone able to make the hike.

The trail is about three miles, and it does involve some muddy slopes and slippery roots. But the hike is very well worth the reward.

Crabtree Falls towers over a boulder-strewn landing pad that invites hikers to clamber their way across to comfortable viewing seats.

The show is 60 feet of water dipping and diving its way down sheer rock ledges.

Crabtree Falls doesn’t have a visitor’s center, but it does have an extensive campground as well as an amphitheater for ranger talks and demonstrations.

Note that there is another Crabtree Falls between Lexington and Waynesboro in Virginia, so be careful not to confuse the two!

READ MORE: North Carolina Wildflowers Guide (& Where to See Them in Western NC)

Roaring Fork Falls near Burnsville NC
Roaring Fork Falls, photo by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

12. Roaring Fork Falls & 13. Setrock Creek Falls

BRP Milepost 344.1

Trailhead 5 Miles from Parkway

Getting to Roaring Fork Falls puts you half the way to Setrock Creek Falls. So if waterfalls are on the agenda and deemed worthy of a detour, it makes sense to take in both of these beauties back-to-back.

To get there, take the exit onto NC-80 from the BRP and head north, looking for South Toe River Rd.

Roaring Fork Falls is nearly 100 feet high and equally as lengthy, the water taking prolonged curves on its way down a forest-lined rock slide.

The hike is easy, about 1.4 miles round-trip, with a gentle elevation change.

Setrock Creek Falls is a little further afield– about two miles beyond Roaring Fork Falls. It’s a 75-foot cascade located right outside of the Black Mountain Campground.

READ MORE: The 15 Best Things to Do in Burnsville NC

 

Asheville Waterfalls (Mileposts 362.1-363.4)

Blue Ridge Parkway Waterfalls - Glassmine Falls
“Blue Ridge Parkway – Glassmine Falls Overlook – Close View of Waterfall” by jared422_80 via CC BY 2.0

14. Glassmine Falls

BRP Milepost 362.1

Trailhead 0 Miles from Parkway

Located just north of Craggy Gardens NC, about 20 miles from downtown Asheville, the Glassmine Falls Overlook is right on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

It is the only way to get a look at Glassmine Falls, which drops some 800 feet (according to heavily disputed signs at the lookout) before ultimately disappearing into the wilderness below.

There is a drive-up overlook that provides one vista, but the best view is for those who leave their cars.

And for those willing to walk a few steps, a very short path takes visitors to a better viewing platform for an improved, wide-angle visual of the falls and the valley below.

Note that this waterfall is only truly impressive after recent rains, and is best seen with binoculars or a long-range photo lens.

READ MORE: The 30 Best Things to Do in Asheville NC

15. Douglas Falls

BRP Milepost 363.4

Trailhead 0 Miles from Parkway

Craggy Pinnacle, Craggy Gardens, and Craggy Dome are all some of the Best Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks in NC, and the views from any of these places are typically phenomenal.

For those looking to linger longer in the Craggies, there’s also a 7-mile hike to Douglas Falls.

Douglas Falls is one of those waterfalls that is simply a stream flowing right over a cliff and diving down into the rocks below.

It offers that always-fun characteristic of allowing visitors to walk behind it.

Note that the hike there is strenuous and has a change in elevation in the vicinity of 2000 feet, so the trail is really recommended for experienced hikers only.

READ MORE: The Top 10 Treehouse Rentals near Asheville, NC

 

Brevard Waterfalls (Milepost 411.8 – 423)

Looking Glass Falls in Pisgah National Forest NC
Looking Glass Falls, photo by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

16. Looking Glass Falls

BRP Milepost 411.8

Trailhead 10 Miles from Parkway

Looking Glass Falls is one of the most popular of all the North Carolina waterfalls.

Not only is the 60-footer located in Transylvania County, the acclaimed “Land of Waterfalls.” But it is an easily accessed, literal roadside attraction on US-276, which is part of the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway.

To reach it from the Blue Ridge Parkway, head southeast from Asheville NC and take the exit for US-276, heading south towards Brevard.

Looking Glass Falls will be on the left-hand side about 10 miles down the road.

If you’re taking this detour, it’s worth knowing that there are a couple of other falls to check out nearby, including Moore Cove Falls and Sliding Rock (which you can actually slide down).

READ MORE: The 15 Best North Carolina Mountain Towns to Visit

Upper Whitewater Falls ins Western North Carolina
Upper Whitewater Falls, photo via Canva

17. Upper Whitewater Falls

BRP Milepost 412

Trailhead 35 Miles from Parkway

It’s true that this waterfall is located nearly an hour’s drive from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

But sometimes you have to make exceptions when you’re close enough to see a sight as stunning as Upper Whitewater Falls, which is south of Cashiers NC..

This is the highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountain, with a total drop measuring a whopping 800+ feet. The upper half of the falls is located in Western North Carolina, with the lower half diving into South Carolina.

The best view of the falls is from the Upper Overlook, a wheelchair-accessible pathway that starts at the parking lot. A second, Lower Overlook is available some 154 steps below.

To ease the length of the detour, a viewing of Upper Whitewater Falls can also be combined with Dill Falls. Both of them are accessible from the NC-215 off the BRP.

READ MORE: 15 Highlights of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail in Western North Carolina

Log Hollow Falls
Log Hollow Falls, photo via Canva

18. Log Hollow Falls & 19. Discovery Falls

BRP Milepost 412

Trailhead 6 Miles from Parkway

Though it’s right in the mix of Pisgah National Forest’s major attractions, including the Cradle of Forestry and Looking Glass Falls, Log Hollow Falls and Discovery Falls are frequently overlooked because they’re a bit off-the-beaten-track.

Nonetheless, the trail to Log Hollow Falls is a pleasant one-mile round-trip stroll, with the possibility of adding Discovery Falls for an extra half-mile of hiking.

To get to the falls, hike Forest Service Road 5043, which is closed to cars.

Though the hike is simple, there are no signs to Log Hollow Falls, so be sure to have the directions downloaded to your phone or printed out before attempting it.

The 25-foot-high waterfall glides down a rock face cut into the forest, and Discovery Falls is a towering 80-foot drop that winds down a steep, boulder-strewn route.

READ MORE: The 25 Best Western NC Small Towns To Visit (and Live In!)

Skinny Dip Falls on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Skinny Dip Falls, photo by Bret Love and Mary Gabbett

20. Skinny Dip Falls

BRP Milepost 417

Trailhead 0 Miles from Parkway

Famed as much for being a beloved swimming hole as for being the falls with the attention-grabbing name, Skinny Dip Falls requires just a short hike from the parkway at the Looking Glass Rock Overlook.

Skinny Dip Falls is a set of cascades that ultimately ends in a refreshing pool.

The hike to the falls is less than a mile round-trip, but the distant parking opportunities on warm summer days can make it a little further. The same goes for days when North Carolina’s peak fall colors are on display.

The trail is very kid- and family-friendly, though there are lots of roots and rocks along the way. For that reason, among others, this is one of the most heavily visited Asheville waterfalls.

The scenery is beautiful, with gnarly rhododendrons branching out everywhere amongst mossy boulders, and the shade makes it just right for cooling off on hot days.

READ MORE: The 10 Best Campgrounds in the North Carolina Mountains 

Graveyard Fields Lower Waterfall
Graveyard Fields Lower Waterfall, photo by jadimages via canva

21. Graveyard Field Falls

BRP Milepost 418.8

Trailhead 0 Miles from Parkway

One of the most beloved Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks (as well as one of the top day trips from Asheville), Graveyard Fields is much more romantic and welcoming than its name would seem to suggest.

Graveyard Fields is fantastic for its wildflowers, blueberries, Black Bears, and waterfalls.

Its seemingly sinister name dates back about a century. The area’s trees were knocked down by a windstorm, then the stumps burned in a wildfire, leaving what looked like tombstones scattered across the landscape.

Since then, the area has recovered to become a stunningly fertile valley. It’s located some 5,000 feet above sea level, but surrounded by 6,000 foot tall mountain summits.

There is a short walk to one of the waterfalls here, but the 3.5-mile loop with multiple waterfalls and a mountain meadow is well worth the time and energy investment.

READ MORE: The Best Things to Do in Asheville NC

Dill Falls
Dill Falls, photo via Canva

22. Dill Falls

BRP Milepost 423

Trailhead 5 Miles from Parkway

A beautiful 50-foot waterfall that often gets skipped due to its remote location in the Nantahala National Forest, Dill Falls is more difficult to get to by car than the hike from the parking area.

Dill Falls is accessed by NC 215 and a couple of service roads, SR 4663 and SR 4663B. A 4WD vehicle is a good thing here, but a two-wheel-drive vehicle can make the trip if driven cautiously.

Hiking to Dill Falls is a two-prong affair that utilizes separate old logging roads. Each is about half a mile, with one leading to an upper section and the other to an even more beautiful lower section.

Dill Falls is truly an amazing sight, pouring over moss-laden rocks. It’s also in the same area as another  popular waterfall near the Blue Ridge Parkway, Courthouse Falls.

READ MORE: The 15 Best Western North Carolina Mountains For Hiking

 

Cherokee Waterfalls (Milepost 455.7 – 469.1)

Soco Falls on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Cherokee NC
Soco Falls, photo by Bret Love and Mary Gabbett

23. Soco Falls

BRP Milepost 455.7

Trailhead 2 Miles from Parkway

Located near the tourist town of Maggie Valley in North Carolina’s Cherokee Nation, Soco Falls is absolutely stunning and delivers remarkable ROI for such a short hike.

It’s actually a pair of twin waterfalls that both spill over stepped cliffs before leveling out at the shared base to skim betwixt mossy boulders.

There’s a short path right off US-19 leading to an observation deck for viewing the falls. But, for more adventurous and sure-footed hikers, a short, steep trail descends from the deck directly to the bottom of the falls.

The trail down tends to be very muddy, with slippery roots. But there are ropes to hold onto as you carefully make your way.

From Soco Falls, the Blue Ridge Parkway continues for 13 miles before reaching Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited of all the US National Parks. What a grand finale!

READ MORE: The 7 Best Hikes on the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina

10 Best NC Campgrounds - Tom Branch Falls at Deep Creek
Tom Branch Falls at Deep Creek, photo by Emma Gallagher

24. Tom’s Branch Falls

BRP Milepost 469.1

Trailhead 11 Miles from the Parkway

Located in the Deep Creek area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tom’s Branch Falls is a tower of a waterfall that drops into Deep Creek from the cliffs beside it.

Tom’s Branch Falls is wide and tall, emerging from a thicket of leafy trees at the top and briskly cascading down 75 feet.

The trail to Tom’s Branch Falls is a short (1/4 mile) and easy hike along the gravel Deep Creek Road (a.k.a. Deep Creek Trail).

The trek to this waterfall is often combined with two other beautiful waterfalls (Juney Whank and Indian Creek Falls) to make a nice 2.5-mile loop.

READ MORE: Apple Picking in North Carolina: The 10 Best NC Apple Orchards to Visit

Mingo Falls in Cherokee NC, photo by Jason Dominy
Mingo Falls, photo by Jason Dominy

25. Mingo Falls

BRP Milepost 469.1

Trailhead 5 Miles from the Parkway

The Qualla Boundary, a territory of the Cherokee people, has several nice waterfalls within its borders. Mingo Falls is possibly the most remarkable.

One of the tallest falls in Southern Appalachia and the Smoky Mountains, it measures around 120 feet tall and tumbles down a moss-laden rock face.

While the Pigeon Creek Trail to Mingo Falls is less than half a mile, it is considered to be a moderately difficult trek due to the elevation change and rough steps for clambering.

Mingo Falls lies just outside the boundaries of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, about five miles from the town of Cherokee NC.  –by Jonathon Engels; lead image of Soco Falls by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

 

 

Leave No Trace logo

We encourage anyone who loves the Blue Ridge region to learn about the Leave No Trace principles of responsible environmental stewardship. 

Stay on marked trails, take only pictures, pack out your trash, and be considerate of others who share the trails and parks you explore. 

Remember that waterfalls and rocky summits can be dangerous. Never try to climb waterfalls or get close to a ledge to get a selfie.

When you're exploring the wilderness, it's better to be safe than to be a statistic!

After visiting North Carolina for the first time, Senior Writer Jonathon Engels and wife Emma spent 2 years exploring Western NC in search of a homestead property. They first lived in Brevard, where Jonathon taught writing at Blue Ridge Community College and extensively explored the Blue Ridge Parkway and Pisgah National Forest. For the last several years they have lived just off the BRP near Elkin, Southwest Virginia, and the NC High Country. The couple also volunteers with the Surry Old Time Fiddlers Convention, the Elkin Valley Trail Association, and Reeves Downtown School of Music.