Laurel Park, North Carolina

Top Spots in and near Laurel Park

Flat Rock, North Carolina
Watch the Green Race

5.0

1.8 mi / 500 ft gain

On the first Saturday of November the best creek boaters in the world gather at the Green River in North Carolina to see who can storm the Narrows and claim the top title (at least for the next year!). For paddlers, creek boating is a pursuit along tight and narrow steeps that most of us have ne...
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Hendersonville, North Carolina
Hike to Hooker Falls

4.0

0.8 mi / 100 ft gain

Hooker Falls is located in Dupont State Forest in southern North Carolina. The hike is a great hike for kids to go on and to have a picnic. The waterfall is a beautiful waterfall that offers a great place to swim. Along the hike there are also other places you can see the river and you can swim a...
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Little River, North Carolina
High Falls & Triple Falls

4.5

2.38 mi / 502 ft gain

Both falls provide ample open, flat rock right up next to the massive falls where you can picnic, take photos, or just lounge in the sun and mist. There are signs saying so, but be sure to be careful near the waters edge below the falls - swimming is not allowed as the current can be very strong....
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Cedar Mountain, North Carolina
Hike to Fawn Lake

1 mi / 100 ft gain

Fawn Lake sits on the backside of DuPont State Forest, about a 15 minute drive from the High Falls Parking/ Visitor Center as well as Hooker Falls parking lots. With easy access and easy terrain, this is a must see to add to the list. While sometimes the main parking lots and trails of DuPont can...
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Saluda, North Carolina
Hike Bradley Falls

4.8

2.3 mi / 312 ft gain

This is a really nice hike along Cove Creek that leads to a beautiful, 100 foot waterfall. While most of the trail is a relaxing stroll, the end of the hike provides a little adventure for those who feel up for it. Starting from the parking lot, follow the main trail into the woods. Early in the ...
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Hendersonville, North Carolina
Hike to the Top of Bearwallow Mountain

5.0

2 mi / 583 ft gain

Once you have parked along the roadside near the trailhead, pass through the big gate on the right side of the road and take the trail off to the right. The trail winds up the mountain for a mile before it empties out onto the bald atop Bearwallow. Once on the bald, you can follow the gravel road...
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Fairview, North Carolina
Hike the Trombatore Trail to Blue Ridge Pastures

5.0

5 mi / 1350 ft gain

Park along the road at Bearwallow Gap - this is also the parking area for Bearwallow Mountain. Starting at a little over 3600ft, the Trombatore Trail has been well marked by the Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy with red blazes. Parts of the trail border private land, so pay attention to the sig...
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Pisgah Forest, North Carolina
Drive the Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway

5.0

76 mi / 1000 ft gain

You can drive this highway getting different views during the different seasons. Along the drive, have your camera ready for beautiful vistas, Looking Glass Falls, and many adventures along the highway. The views are especially beautiful in the autumn with the leaves changing colors. This route d...
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Brevard, North Carolina
Camp at Davidson River Campground in the Pisgah National Forest

4.5

Pisgah National Forest, in my opinion, is one of the best national forests in the United States. Being just a short drive from Great Smokey Mountain National Park it has all the feel of being in the smokies with more to explore. Pisgah has anything you could want to see or do from tens of water...
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Brevard, North Carolina
Art Loeb Trail

4.8

30.07 mi / 7467 ft gain

Start at The Davidson River Campground just outside of Brevard, NC (276 Pisgah Ranger District). Have a shuttle car or a friend waiting at the Daniel Boone Boy Scout camp for the finish line. Hop on the 30.1 mile long Art Loeb Trail at the trailhead in the Davidson River Campground. Pull into th...
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Arden, North Carolina
Photograph the French Broad Overlook

5.0

The French Broad Overlook is one of several overlook spots along the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's not known to be the most breathtakingly scenic spot of the batch, but it's still a nice viewpoint that will offer you sights of the French Broad River, one of the few north flowing rivers in the US. Yo...
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Cleveland, South Carolina
Photograph Fred W. Symmes Chapel (Pretty Place)

Getting there Fred W. Symmes (aka Pretty Place) Chapel is perched near the top of Standing Stone Mountain at 3000 feet above sea level. That being said, expect a long and winding drive up the mountain. It takes about 30 minutes starting from the bottom of the mountain to arrive to the chapel. Th...
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Greenville County, South Carolina
Hike the Jones Gap Loop

5.0

5.5 mi / 2000 ft gain

Start on the Jones Gap Trail (blue), which will lead you alongside the Saluda River. After 2.5 miles, take the Old Springs Branch Trail (orange) to loop back to the lot.For a challenging, more strenuous hike, with great views of the Gap, check out Rim of the Gap Trail. It is not advised to take c...
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Greenville County, South Carolina
Hike the Pinnacle Pass/Rim of the Gap Loop

11.5 mi / 2345 ft gain

The Trailhead: Located at Jones Gap State Park in Marietta, SC of northern Greenville County. Follow the trail across an iron bridge that crosses the Middle Saluda River, and be sure to register at the Ranger’s Station/Gift Shop on the far side of the gap. The trail head(s) are located directly o...
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Greenville County, South Carolina
Hike to Rainbow Falls and Pretty Place

5.0

5.96 mi / 1844 ft gain

Jones Gap State Park in the Upstate of South Carolina is one of the most beautiful parks in the state offering a good range of moderate and challenging hiking and backpacking trails through the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. Jones Gap also provides superb primitive camping sites along the rocky...
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Asheville, North Carolina
Mountain Biking Bent Creek

4.0

Bent Creek is my favorite Mountain Biking spot in the Southeast, and epitomizes the fun and beauty to be found biking in the North Carolina mountains. Riding is open year round, but spring and fall are ideal when temperatures are still cool and colors are exploding. You can easily spend hours ...
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