Horse Shoe, North Carolina
Horse Shoe, North Carolina is a great destination for outdoor adventurers and nature lovers. From scenic trails to awe-inspiring attractions, the area is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Popular attractions include Chimney Rock State Park, which offers picturesque views and thrilling hiking trails, and the DuPont State Recreational Forest, a 10,000-acre forest treasure trove with over 80 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. For those looking for a more relaxed outdoor experience, the nearby Pisgah National Forest offers camping, fishing, and kayaking. No matter what your preference, Horse Shoe, North Carolina is an outdoor haven that is sure to be adored. With its top trails and outdoor activities, it's the perfect place to explore the great outdoors.
Top Spots in and near Horse Shoe
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Highlands, North Carolina
Dry Falls
4.60.35 mi / 26 ft gainDry Falls is located off of Hwy. 64, which has been designated as the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway, and the road does not disappoint. Hwy. 64 is a two lane road which hugs the northern side of Cullasaja Gorge, which has been carved by the Cullasaja River. Besides Dry Falls, Hwy. 64 leads you past...Read more -
Tamassee, South Carolina
Hike to Lee Falls
4.01.6 miThe Hike: Head out through the middle of the first of three fields, crossing creeks two times as you come to them. At the end of the last field, the trail enters the woods. Hike through the woods for 0.3 mile and take the left fork, crossing a creek , and head toward the larger branch of Tamassee...Read more -
Highlands, North Carolina
Explore Cullasaja Falls
5.00.3 mi / 200 ft gainThis is an awesome waterfall that offers views from several different spots along the road as well as a quick hike down to the base! The small pull-off area is located towards the top of the falls. There isn't much space (3 maybe 4 cars at a time), but there are additional pull-off areas further ...Read more -
Cherokee, North Carolina
Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway from the Southern Terminus
5.0The pinpoint for this particular entrance starts just outside of Cherokee, North Carolina, following the Parkway North. They say the Blue Ridge Parkway is more than just a road, it's a beautiful journey. Start this journey and you will quickly find this to be true. This 469 mile gateway connects...Read more -
Spruce Pine, North Carolina
Grassy Creek Falls
1.5 mi / 312 ft gainGrassy Creek Falls is a beautiful waterfall that lies on private property just north of Little Switzerland's downtown area. The trailhead is easy to find. From Little Switzerland simply go under the Blue Ridge Parkway and the driveway is immediately on the right. You will park at the top of the...Read more -
Sylva, North Carolina
Hike to Cowee Bald Fire Tower
4.4 mi / 400 ft gainThe Cowee Bald Fire Tower is located in the Nantahala National Forest near Bryson City North Carolina. To get there you can either drive almost all the way to the top about .2 miles from the top but to get there you will need to have a 4WD or a higher clearance vehicle to cross a small stream. Ho...Read more -
Burnsville, North Carolina
Camp at Snaggy Mountain
Snaggy Mountain is privately owned land that offers a beautiful camping spot located just outside of the Pigsah National Forest. It's completely secluded by an Apple Orchard and is a great home base for several hiking adventures in the area. The location on the map will get you to the parking spo...Read more -
Bryson City, North Carolina
Hike to Alarka Falls
4.71 mi / 100 ft gainTo visit the falls, take US-74 west from Bryson City to exit 64 . Take a left at the exit and drive on Alarka Road for about 10 miles. Follow the road all the way to the end where you will find a turnaround. Don't make the mistake of following the forest service road (it is gated), as it is not ...Read more -
Cosby, Tennessee
Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower
4.510.99 mi / 2877 ft gainMost visitors have a vision of how they'd like to see Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and it typically involves climbing to the top of a mountain like 4,928-foot Mount Cammerer. This is a very strenuous hike involving a breathtaking amount of elevation gain along the rugged Low Gap and Appal...Read more -
Hartford, Tennessee
Whitewater Rafting the Pigeon River
5.0The Pigeon River is a dam controlled river that winds its way through North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee just outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The river provides beautiful views as one paddles along via raft or kayak. Cutting through portions of the Pisgah and Cherokee National For...Read more -
Cosby, Tennessee
Hen Wallow Falls
5.04.57 mi / 988 ft gainStart your adventure by parking in the Cosby Picnic Area Parking Lot near the entrance of the Cosby Campground. (127 Cosby Picnic Area Rd, Cosby, TN 37722.) Then backtrack through the parking lot about 100 yards until you see the sign marking the start of Gabes Mountain Trail. The trek to Hen W...Read more -
Nebo, North Carolina
Explore Lake James State Park
The park has about 15 miles of trails with different levels of difficulties . Hiked the Lake Channel Trail along the lake with good views of the lake and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Hiked the Mill's creek trail which is nicely shaded and offers good views of the lake and the Linville Gorge area. ...Read more -
Bryson City, North Carolina
Charlies Bunion via Kephart Loop
14.14 mi / 3671 ft gainCharlies Bunion via Kephart Loop is a loop trail located near Cherokee, North Carolina. This is a longer version of the Charlies Bunion hike starting from the Newfound Gap parking lot. The added benefit of this longer loop is the opportunity to see more of the Great Smokey Mountains! You'll pass ...Read more -
Bryson City, North Carolina
Kephart Prong Trail, Great Smoky Mountains NP
5.03.92 mi / 840 ft gainKephart Prong is a pretty easy hike in close proximity to the Visitor Center on the North Carolina Side of GSMNP. 2 miles up the trail, you'll arrive at Kephart Shelter, where you can rest and enjoy vies of the Kephart Prong. Once you've had your fill, head back down the way you came. During th...Read more -
Marshall, Tennessee
Appalachian Trail: Jones Meadow to Jerry Cabin Shelter
7.58 mi / 909 ft gainAppalachian Trail: Jones Meadow to Jerry Cabin Shelter is an out-and-back trail that provides a good opportunity to view wildlife located near Greeneville, Tennessee.Read more -
Walhalla, South Carolina
Hike to Issaqueena Falls and Stumphouse Tunnel
4.31.5 mi / 250 ft gainFrom Walhalla South Carolina, follow SC 28 westward 7 miles until you see Stumphouse Tunnel Park on the right-hand side of the road. Take this road halfway down, and park in the parking area on the right. From here, you can travel a short walk to the falls overlook, or, for the more adventurous ...Read more
