If you are looking for a hike near Asheville, Morganton or the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, the Toms Creek Falls trail might be exactly what you are looking for.
Located in Pisgah National Forest near the town of Marion, NC, Toms Creek Falls offers a close up splendid view of a 60 foot three drop waterfall that requires little to no effort of hiking. The trail is perfect for a beginner hikers, if you are looking to get back into hiking after a break, for small kids and for dogs.
Getting there is easy and the trail has mobile signal which is not typical for most of the hikes in this neck of the woods.
To reach Toms Creek Falls head north on US 221 for 5.6 miles after the junction of US 221 and US 70 in Marion and then turn left on Huskins Branch Rd. From there continue for 1.2 miles before arriving at the small parking lot near the entrance of the trail. There are not many parking spots available so plan accordingly and avoid busy travel days and weekends. There are no restrooms facilities near by so make sure to take this in consideration before arriving here too.
The little under half a mile mostly flat trek to the falls begins right off the parking lot. An information board is located right at the entrance of the trail which will give you details on the hike, the flora and fauna you’ll find along the way, possible wildlife encounters and finally a description on the falls awaiting you at the end.
Hitting this trail after a good rain gives you the chance of seeing Toms Creek Falls at their best and fully flowing. If you come during the summer months and after a week or so of dry weather, water would not be flowing as hard and falls would look pretty dry. The trail is very well maintained and does not get really muddy even in the winter months. Several options for camping are available near the trail.
The best part about Toms Creek Falls is that you can literally get within an arms reach to it. A little path leads to the bottom of the falls which are very flat and pretty safe for kids to wade in and if you feel brave enough it is not hard to hop on the rocks and get even closer. Few large boulders are located right at the bottom of the waterfall and offer a great spot for a picnic or for catching the sunrays picking through the trees. In the summer you can splash under the water and cool off.
If you are unsure about visiting the falls because it is not challenging enough for you we suggest you still give it a try but add the little trail to the right of the waterfall that leads to the top of them. The trail goes straight up with a pretty good incline and leads to a little swimming hole which would be sure to delight you especially on a steamy summer day. Not many people venture this way so you’ll be pretty much have it all to yourself. If you choose to head that way please keep kids and dogs within your sight and reach at all times. This trail begins pass the old stone foundation and would add about 0.3 miles each way to your whole trip.
Toms Creek Falls is the perfect stop over if you are coming from Raleigh and are on the way to Asheville as are the Catawba Falls which you can read more about here. If you need more ideas on other things to do near this area or anywhere in NC check out our Instagram and Facebook page.
And if by the end of your hike you.ve worked out a good appetite we highly recommend a stop at the Boondocks Sports Bar & Grill of Marion. Located at 4201 US-221 S Marion, NC 28752 The Boondocks is a locally owned bar and grill restaurant. It offers buffet bars, burgers, wings, barbecues and specialties for lunch and dinner. Traditional Southern cuisine is served. Guests can also enjoy entertainment and full bar service, including locally made beer. There is a crane for the kids to pull stuffed animals from and a room with arcade games. The Restaurant is open Sunday – Wednesday: 11am – 12am and Thursday-Saturday: 11am – 2am.
If you are looking to spend the night near by and head on to a dinner or a brewery check out the town of Morganton NC. There is a good amount of hotels and Airbnb’s to choose from. There are handful of breweries you can visit in town and all of them are a spectacular choice. Many restaurants for every and any taste can also be found in town. From pizza spots, barbeque diners to sport bars and one of the best burrito restaurants in the area you will not be disappointed. The Human Bean is a great choice if you need a pick me up coffee for your ride back and the Scoopers Shaved Ice and Creamery is sure to delight your sweat tooth.