Mills River, North Carolina

Top Spots in and near Mills River

  • Mountain Rest, South Carolina

    Hike to Big Bend Falls

    5.0
    6.5 mi
    The hike to Big Bend Falls begins on the Chattooga River Trail at the Burrell's Ford Campground. To get here you take Burrell's Ford Road off of SC 107. There will be a good sized gravel parking area off to the left about 3 miles down Burrell's Ford Road. When you park the car you can walk down t...
    Read more
  • Highlands, North Carolina

    Photograph and Explore Bridal Veil Falls

    4.0
    Bridal Veil Falls is located directly off of the road and is about a 100 feet tall in total. The falls makes for a great place to take pictures under the water falls. The falls itself is small and flows constant all year long getting to the bottom of the falls is not recommended because it is dan...
    Read more
  • Sylva, North Carolina

    Hike to Cowee Bald Fire Tower

    4.4 mi / 400 ft gain
    The 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
  • Highlands, North Carolina

    Dry Falls

    4.6
    0.35 mi / 26 ft gain
    Dry 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
  • Highlands, North Carolina

    Explore Cullasaja Falls

    5.0
    0.3 mi / 200 ft gain
    This 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
  • Hartford, Tennessee

    Whitewater Rafting the Pigeon River

    5.0
    The 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

    Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower

    4.5
    10.99 mi / 2877 ft gain
    Most 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
  • Greenville, South Carolina

    Lake Conestee Nature Park Loop

    2.39 mi / 194 ft gain
    Lake Conestee Nature Park Loop is a family-friendly loop trail located near Greenville, South Carolina. This trail makes for a great stroll and opportunity to do some birdwatching along the route. There are plenty of insects in the warmer months, so you may want to consider packing repellent. 
    Read more
  • Cosby, Tennessee

    Hen Wallow Falls

    5.0
    4.57 mi / 988 ft gain
    Start 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
  • Tamassee, South Carolina

    Hike to Lee Falls

    4.0
    1.6 mi
    The 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
  • Marshall, Tennessee

    Appalachian Trail: Jones Meadow to Jerry Cabin Shelter

    7.58 mi / 909 ft gain
    Appalachian 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
  • Bryson City, North Carolina

    Hike to Alarka Falls

    4.7
    1 mi / 100 ft gain
    To 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
  • 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
  • Newport, Tennessee

    Explore Halls Top Fire Tower

    4.0
    1 mi / 200 ft gain
    Halls Top Fire Tower is a special untouched spot in the Cherokee National Forest. The road that leads you into the CNF is known as Halls Top Road  just a few miles off of Interstate I-40. This road will take you 4.4 miles to the next turn onto Stone Mountain Road this road is 2.1 miles to the gat...
    Read more
  • Del Rio, Tennessee

    Meadow Creek Fire Tower

    5.0
    0.14 mi / 17.06 ft gain
    Meadow Creek Fire Tower is a great place to spend an afternoon watching the sunset or spend the night gazing at the stars. You can bring a blanket then lay out on the top of the tower and view the entire sky. The tower itself was made back in the early 1920's. Over the years it changed appearance...
    Read more
  • Bryson City, North Carolina

    Charlies Bunion via Kephart Loop

    14.14 mi / 3671 ft gain
    Charlies 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