This has been our favourite walk forever. Do not let the couple of bad characters hinder you from…read morethis beautiful hike, because getting to the top is its own reward with sheer beauty. This property was donated to the state park and open to all. Very clean and well-kept trails, dog friendly, and a nice place to rest and relax, including restrooms at the science centre.

I discovered this place through my daughter. She has gone here twice- once through her middle…read moreschool, and once through a local camp. She raved about it, and we finally got a chance to check it out. So happy we did! Purchase Knob was generously donated by the McNeil-Gilmore family to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is 535 acres of land that rises ultimately to 5,086 feet at the knob. In the meadow below the knob, at 4,850 feet, there are two buildings housing offices, a lab, a classroom for fifty students, and housing for up to eight scientists. Views are 180 degrees. You can hit the Cataloochee Divide Trail here, too. A refurbished cabin originally from the 1870s is nearby, which I will get to in a bit. When you get to the park, you will be blocked by a gate with a sign to the left identifying the park. It is open once in a while for scheduled visits/field trip students. It is easy to get your vehicle locked within the park. (People cannot get locked in.) Park your car on the sides of the road. Just walk around the gate if it is locked. Bring water, and a jacket in the spring or fall. The 2.5 mile round trip trail is basically a wide, dirt road that will eventually lead up to the main buildings. It is well maintained. When you get a glimpse of the building at the top, you will also see a grass trail leading upwards. I would take that trail. It is a shortcut. If you like to walk, just keep going, and the road will eventually lead to the building as well. On the way up, you will see many types of wildflowers. We heard (up) and spotted a hawk (down). I got a photo of nightshade, all the while with my body centimeters from a hidden cliff edge. Be careful on grassy edges! The open areas and tree-filled areas were of equal beauty. In early September I saw purples, greens, grays, and yellows, all framed by a clear blue sky graced by fluffy clouds. Your soul will take this in, and it will hold on to it. When we got to the top, we relaxed. We did not go to the knob proper. We used the very clean bathrooms, and laid down in the field right in front of the buildings. There is a water fountain. You are allowed on the deck, but not in the buildings unless you are with a scheduled group. There are picnic tables grouped close together, and bear-proof trashcans and recycling bins. You can check out the outside of the weather station that is a bit away. I would not traipse around the adjacent fields. I saw tagged plants and left that area so that we would not screw up any data. If you decide to go to the actual knob, you have to blaze your own trail. As of two days ago, the footbridge leading to Cataloochee was out. There is a sign warning of that; be careful crossing creeks. Anyway, that trail is easy to find; just look for signs. Check out the bulletin board for lists of the types of birds and butterflies that you can see there. I saw (possibly) a Cloudless skipper. It was fluorescent yellow! My first. To get down to the restored Ferguson cabin, just leave via the "grass carpet" trail. Make an obvious right and hitch your horse, or kids. This right will lead you to the cabin. The Fergusons were the first farmers to have an elevated farm. Their apples are still there. Do not pick anything. Do not get in the boar trap. Do not get near bears. Do not bother the cow spirits. Call to make sure horses are indeed still allowed. Bears and boars can hurt you. We leave all snacks in the car. You never know. Call the general number to see if bear activity is intense before going to this park. Middle school and up teachers, call this number to schedule a visit: 828-926-6251. This park welcomes wimpy and tough hikers mid-March through November. Call if you have a desire to hike in the deep winter. Remember to check out the Purchase Knob WebCam online for weather and views. To get to this park, take Exit 20, stay on 276 South for five miles. Get on Hemphill Road and stay on Hemphill Road for four miles. This review is dedicated to my daughter Sophie, a quick, beautiful trailblazer.

Soco Falls is absolutely worth the stop if you're driving through the area. The waterfall is…read morebeautiful, and the photos honestly don't do it justice. That said... don't let the short hike fool you! The walk down isn't bad--it's the climb back up that will definitely remind you whether you've been keeping up with your cardio. Thankfully, there are handrails and benches along the trail because I absolutely took advantage of them on the way back. I thought I was in decent shape... the mountain quickly humbled me! My advice: wear good hiking shoes, bring water, and if you have a walking stick, use it. A neck fan isn't a bad idea either during the warmer months. Just because you see people tackling the trail in Crocs or flip-flops doesn't mean it's a good idea. If you're adventurous, there is a way to get down to the base of the falls, where people were swimming, but we admired it from the overlook instead. The surrounding mountain views are beautiful as well, making it an easy stop even if you're just passing through. If you're in the Bryson City/Cherokee area, don't skip Soco Falls. Just come prepared, take your time, and enjoy one of the prettiest waterfalls in Western North Carolina.

I was seeking a waterfall and didn't quite have time to make it to Cherokee and the Great Smoky…read moreMountains, and so located this turn-off a couple of miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway. The parking area is by the road, and the hike down to the falls is short, but of considerable grade. At the end, a platform allows viewing. You can't get anywhere near the falls or take a swim, and it seems like it would be a tough area even if there weren't a thousand signs telling you not to wander off the trail, which is shared with a driveway to some private property. It certainly isn't among the best Western NC waterfalls, but it's a nice site and it's free and open to the public, so not a bad place to stop depending on one's itinerary.

About 140 steps to the top and you can view a beautiful waterfall. This is at most a 20 minute stop…read moreand well worth a visit.

Plenty of parking, port-a-potties and a very short hike to a spectacular waterfall. 0.2 miles to…read morefalls from parking lot.

Gorgeous place, easy parking on the side of the roads with multiple stopping areas. Dog friendly…read moreand people friendly. Able to swim and to walk around (very cautiously) on rocks. Relaxing to just lay on a massive rock and listen to the waterfall.

5-Stars for simply being a beautiful waterfall relatively close to town and located just a few…read moreshort steps from the road, no hiking required. There are 3 viewpoints: road level, mid-level down a short set of stairs, and at the base down a second set of stairs. This is a great option for people with little kids, people with limited mobility, or those just short on time. There is limited roadside parking. Free to visit. No restroom. Easy peasy.

Love this hike so much. I do have to say it was quite shocking To go back after not visiting for h…read moreyears- there has been a lot of maintenance since the storms washed the bridge out last year (!?). Still a beauty though. The parking lot has space for about 15 but you can park on the side of the road if you need. It's pretty safe and spacious. This hike is great for everyone- small incline and easy 1 mile ish to a fall. Where you can swim if you wish (maybe not skinny dip though- it's pretty popular). Dog friendly. Some rocks at the end but there are alternative ways and it's not unsafe or unstable. Lots of roots but overall the pathways are lovely and wide. . You can also see the semi famous wnc dragon tree :)

SKINNY DIP FALLS is by no means a sizable waterfall and if I'm being honest, I thought it would be…read moremuch larger and more impressive! However, it is indeed a gorgeous waterfall located in a beautiful & scenic section of the forest. The trailhead to the falls is directly across the Blue Ridge Parkway from LOOKING GLASS ROCK OVERLOOK. It is a white blazed trail and although it tends to fork off to smaller, well established side trails, the main trail is pretty obvious. When in doubt, stay on the largest/widest path. The trail starts off fairly level with only minimal ups and downs, but just past the DRAGON TREE begins a significant downhill descent as it drops from an elevation of 4505 feet to 4,325 feet at the bridge. That's 180 feet in just under 1/3rd of a mile. The trail itself is a rocky and heavily-rooted one, so it is important to watch your step considering all the natural tripping hazards. Still, despite the return elevation gain, trail tripping hazards and its small size in comparison to other nearby waterfalls, it is truly a hidden beauty worthy of any waterfall hunters list! It is located on a creek known as Yellowstone Prong and it won't be hard to see where it gets its name. The stones and boulders surrounding the falls are GORGEOUS in color as collectively they take on a golden hue. It is in fact one of the prettiest natural stone settings I've seen in all my waterfall travels. There are plenty of large boulders to sit and enjoy the falls as well as different levels of the falls for everyone to have their own space. Those that climb further to the top will find tranquil hot tub sized pools of turquoise clear water at each level. Towards the bottom is the most significant fall (about 12 feet) that immediately flows into a V-shaped rock channel cutting under the bridge and into two more pools of ultra-clear water! It is a wonderfully flat area great for smaller children to safely explore, under parental supervision of course. *** PRO TIP - I didn't know it during my visit, but even further up the creek is Yellowstone Falls. I'm not absolutely certain you can reach it by climbing from Skinny Dip Falls, but online reports say it IS possible. However, the elevation gains to get to those falls is around 300 feet according to topography maps and would require some bushwhacking to reach Yellowstone Falls from Skinny Dip Falls. But if you are the adventurous type, photos definitely show a very worthy and attractive waterfall awaits. *** [ THINGS TO KNOW ] Total Hiking Distance: 1 mile (round trip) Difficulty: Easy on the way, but a tad more difficult on the return Creek Crossings: YES (bridged) Elevation Gain: 200 feet (if you climb the falls) ~ parking elevation: 4,490' ~ base of falls elevation: 4,325' Waterfall Height: around 35 feet overall counting all the tiers Waterfall source: Yellowstone Prong WATERFALL ATTRACTIVENESS - 8 out of 10 TRAIL ATTRACTIVENESS - 6 out of 10 Access to top of falls: YES Access to base of falls: YES Pool of water @ base of Falls: YES (many) Sitting areas @ base: YES RESTROOM FACILITIES: NO PARKING: YES (space for about 20-25 cars) *** [ WHY IS THIS WATERFALL SO WONDERFUL ] A) Parking for the trailhead is at one of the most beautiful overlooks on the parkway (Looking Glass Rock). B) While the trail is a calorie burner on the return, it is not a long hike and bridges, as well as man-made steps, make it useful to most any hiking ability. C) Bring swimwear and picnic supplies because you're gonna want to stay a while. D) Levels make it possible for many families to have their OWN SECTION of the falls to enjoy, making it one of the easiest waterfalls to practice social distancing when crowds are low. E) The stones, water clarity, and overall venue are simply fabulous. F) Family & pet friendly! *** [ FINAL THOUGHTS ] SKINNY DIP FALLS has been on my radar for over a decade, so I am happy to finally cross it off my list! But make no mistake about it, I will be back again in the summer to enjoy its beauty with the younger members of our family. RICHARD RECOMMENDED :-) 2021 / 63

We actually never got to the waterfall itself. Didn't realize that reservations were necessary and…read morethat it's booked a week out in advance. They're only open on some days during some times to the public. The drive there was mostly gravel including a grafitti filled tunnel. Instead we ended up going to Little Bradley Falls Trail which was free and had a beautiful waterfall.

Nice close place Worth short drive and easy walk and was…read moreable to bring kids or older parents

The camp host was unprofessional, rude, and threatened to call the sheriffs department because he…read moresaid we were talking too loud. We were not loud and are filing a complaint. We have been coming here for years but will not pay to be treated this way.

Our family loves North Mills River! If you're looking to hike, fish, ride horses, picnic, camp,…read moreetc. this is a solid spot. The picnic area is very well maintained and each picnic table typically has a charcoal grill to go with it. We really love fishing out here! If you're lucky enough to outsmart the elusive fish out here... you can expect to catch rainbow, brook, and brown trout!

On multiple trips through the area, I hadn't taken this particular turnoff. The better known area,…read moreGraveyard Fields, lies below. This area is apparently under the Forest Service rather than the National Park service. The road dead ends in a small parking area, but most people were haphazardly parked on the side of the road. It was a bit dodgy and unclear where you were actually supposed to park, the road quality was not great, and the bathrooms would leave one wondering whether perhaps finding a secluded spot in the wilderness was a better bet. Not that well maintained, though it is certainly fair to acknowledge the difficulty of working in this remote environment. But once you're on the trail, it's all good. The trail cuts through a fascinating terrain. Signs strongly advise you not to tread off, and it feels as if the trail cuts through a layer of peat that would engulf you if you tried in some areas. I managed a loop through two peaks and took the easier route back with fewer views called the Ivestor trail (not investor). It was a great experience to look down over terrain which I've been through before, and that loop is a fairly exhausting, rocky five miles. Of course, there are always linkages to other trail systems in this area, so you can hike as little or as much as you want.

Love love this hike. It's been a staple of mine for ages. Get out there and hike it- it's perfect…read morefor all ages and levels. Parking can be dicey so make sure to go an off time if you can (ex-early or on weekdays). You will most likely park on the side of the road but people drive slowly so it's not too bad or dodgy. There are two hikes in this area- sams knob (where the parking lot is) and Black Balsam (what I am reviewing).Honestly you will get great views at any of the hikes around as they're similar. This one had an entrance/ start point right off the road. There is a sign. This hike is about 2 miles total. You have a bit of an incline at first but it's not bad. Lots of space and clean paths. When you get to the top the views are awesome. Clouds? Just wait 5 mins. They move fast :$

Beautiful! Stopped here on our drive to Asheville…read more It's a nice walk to the waterfall, and next time I'd love to plan to spend a little more time at the falls.

Wow! What a great falls and impressive set of stairs and tower that were rebuilt since the…read morehurricane. We hiked up the stairs and then back the long trail down. I think that is the best way to see it. There was a TikTok couple hogging the best picture spot of the falls and a large group making a lot of noise at the upper falls. Would have been a bit nicer but we were at the time of day when the afternoon folks are out hiking, so a bit of our fault. But this is a don't miss falls hike near Asheville!