Mingo Falls

The access trail is steep, consisting of 161 stone steps that lead to a wooden bridge.

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Mingo Falls Details

Located on the Cherokee Indian Reservation just outside the park boundaries, these incredible falls are some of the most spectacular within the southern Appalachians. Best viewed after the rainy season, they cascade down 125 feet of mossy granite boulders to a peaceful plunge pool edged with tall hemlocks and wild, sprawling rhododendron that bloom beautifully in the spring. The access trail is steep, consisting of 161 stone steps that lead to a wooden bridge that crosses in front of the falls for an excellent viewing point. There is also a set of smaller falls situated above the main cascades, which, although stunning in their own right, are dangerous to reach and require good climbing skills.

Difficulty

Moderate

Distance

0.5 miles

Estimated time

45 minutes

Region

N/A

Nearby Parks Around Mingo Falls

Compare nearby parks around Mingo Falls when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.

18.0 mi away

Great Smoky

National Park · NC

182.5 mi away

Congaree

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194.3 mi away

Mammoth Cave

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361.9 mi away

Shenandoah

National Park · VA

406.6 mi away

Cuyahoga

National Park · OH

436.4 mi away

Gateway Arch

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Nearby Points of Interest Around Mingo Falls

Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Mingo Falls while the map context is still fresh.

0.2 mi away

Mingo Falls

Some of the most spectacular falls within the southern Appalachians.

1.3 mi away

Tow String Horse Camp

Located 4 miles north of Cherokee, NC.

2.1 mi away

Oconaluftee

Formerly the site of a Cherokee village and Appalachian community, the valley's bottomland.

2.1 mi away

Oconaluftee River Trail

Travels 1.5 miles between the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and the edge of Cherokee.

2.2 mi away

Mountain Farm Museum

Built of logs in 1900 from the once-bountiful chestnut trees.