Pisgah Forest, North Carolina
Pisgah Forest, North Carolina, is a top destination for outdoor activities and attractions. Visitors can enjoy scenic hikes, challenging mountain biking trails, and whitewater rafting. For those looking for a more relaxed experience, there are plenty of must-visit sites, including waterfalls, scenic overlooks, and historic sites. There are also a number of activities to be had, such as fishing, horseback riding, and camping. No matter what you're looking for, Pisgah Forest has something for everyone. So come explore the best trails and activities that this area has to offer.
Top Spots in and near Pisgah Forest
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Pelzer, South Carolina
Interpretive Jo Peeler Nature Trail
3.70.74 mi / 151 ft gainThere are three loop trail options at this 65-acre park, all beginning at the kiosk. The interpretive Jo Peeler Nature Trail is an easy 0.6 mile tour of the park, while the white trail is rated as a medium length hike, and the blue trail as long. Leashed dogs are permitted at the park.Read more -
Pelzer, South Carolina
Cedar Falls Park Trail
2 mi / 190 ft gainCedar Falls Park Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Pelzer, South Carolina. The loop is both family friendly and dog friendly (please keep your pup on-leash). There's also a park at the entrance for the kiddos before or after walking/hiking the trail.Read more -
Bryson City, North Carolina
Deep Creek to Clingmans Dome Loop
32.82 mi / 7400 ft gainThis is a ~36 mile loop that goes up Clingman's Dome (the tallest point in Tennessee). Pretty challenging, not for the novice backpacker. Park at Deep Creek campground in Bryson City, NC. We did it as a 3-day, 2-night camping at sites 53 and 61. As it is a loop it could easily be done in reverse....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 -
138 Silver Mine Road, North Carolina
Hike the Lovers Leap Loop Trail
5.01.8 mi / 472 ft gainLovers Leap Loop trail is a 1.8 mile loop in Hot Springs, NC. The address of the trailhead is 138 Silver Mine Rd, Hot Springs, NC 28743. Once you arrive at the parking lot, you will see a trail leading up into the mountain with a post next to it. This is where you want to begin. It is part of the...Read more -
Bryson City, North Carolina
Kephart Prong Trail, Great Smoky Mountains NP
5.03.92 mi / 850 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 -
Bryson City, North Carolina
Tom Branch and Indian Creek Falls
4.51.76 miFrom the Deep Creek Trailhead, you can hike to both waterfalls heading up the Deep Creek Trail. You will come across Tom Branch Falls quickly, after 0.2 miles. Once you've had your fill of Tom Branch, head further along the Deep Creek Trail for another 0.5 miles. Turn right on the Indian Creek Tr...Read more -
Bryson City, North Carolina
Hike the Juney Whank Falls Loop
4.00.65 mi / 150 ft gainStarting at the Deep Creek Trailhead, take a short walk until the trail meets up with Juney Whank Falls Trail. From here, hang a left and head onto the Juney Whank Falls Trail. Once you've reached the falls, continue the loop to get back to the trailhead. The falls are said to be named after Mr...Read more -
Bryson City, North Carolina
Deep Creek Loop
5.05.01 mi / 892 ft gainAfter parking in the Deep Creek Campground parking lot follow the signs for the Deep Creek Trailhead. The Tom Branch waterfall is just .3 miles on the right side. Hike another .5 miles, at the next intersection stay right, and you will approach Indian Creek Falls. After viewing the falls you ca...Read more -
Bryson City, North Carolina
Hike Three Waterfalls Loop
5.02.4 mi / 450 ft gainStart the loop by hiking the Juney Whank Falls Trail to Juney Whank Falls. The footbridge across the creek makes an excellent place to rest and take in the falls. Follow the trail across the bridge and up the bank. After about 300 feet take a right and follow Deep Creek Horse Trail towards Deep C...Read more -
Bryson City, North Carolina
Hike to Lonesome Pine Overlook
5.07 mi / 2300 ft gainTo start the hike to Lonesome Pine Overlook begin from the Noland Divide Trailhead in Deep Creek. The trail is a steady climb with an average gain of 700 ft. every mile. Approaching the top you'll walk along a rocky ridge line where you are able to see the overlook. As you continue, be sure to lo...Read more -
Otto, North Carolina
Hike to and Climb Pickens Nose
4.81.5 mi / 200 ft gainFrom the parking area (fits about 6 cars) follow the trail on the same side of the road up the ridge through dense rhododendron. Several spur trails branch off of the main trail and lead to rock outcroppings with excellent views. Getting to the parking area is slow. The narrow gravel road winds...Read more -
Cosby, Tennessee
Hike to the Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower
4.510.99 mi / 3040 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 -
Clayton, Georgia
Hike the James E. Edmond trail to Lookoff Mountain Overlook
4.07.5 mi / 2378 ft gainBlack Rock Mountain State Park is Georgia's highest elevation State Park. It is adorned with several waterfalls, sweeping overlooks, blooming Rhododendron's, and plenty of miles of trail. The James E. Edmond trail is the longest and by far most challenging hike in the park. Its medium-long dis...Read more -
Cosby, Tennessee
Hike to Hen Wallow Falls in Great Smoky Mountains NP
5.04.57 miStart 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 -
Hot Springs, North Carolina
Camp at Rich Mountain Fire Tower
5.0Rich Mountain fire tower is located in the Cherokee National Forest just outside of Hot springs North Carolina. Getting there is pretty easy once you get off of US 25W you drive up a gravel road for about 5 miles until you get to the tower. Once you get to the top its about a 100 foot walk until ...Read more