Rock Creek Falls

Trail Name Rock Creek Falls Park Rock Creek Recreation Area Land Owner Cherokee National Forest Wilderness Area Unaka Wilderness Area Nearest City Erwin State Tennessee Trail Marking Blue Trail Use/Features Difficulty Rating Medium Hiking Time 4 hrs0.25 Days <br />240 Min <br /> Distance: round-trip/trail only 3.04 mi4.892 km <br /> / 1.52 mi2.446 km <br /> Trail Type In-and-Out Climb/Descent Elevation 912 ft277.978 Meters <br /> / -912-912 Feet <br />-277.978 Meters <br /> High Point 3,263 ft1,087.667 Yards <br />994.562 Meters <br /> Parking 36° 8' 20.35" N, 82° 20' 47.94" W Trailhead 36° 8' 20.35" N, 82° 20' 47.94" W Nearest Medical Erwin, TN Trip Reports Click Here Loading map... {"type":"ROADMAP","minzoom":false,"maxzoom":false,"types":["ROADMAP","SATELLITE","HYBRID","TERRAIN"],"mappingservice":"googlemaps3","width":"270px","height":"180px","centre":false,"title":"","label":"","icon":"","lines":[],"polygons":[],"circles":[],"rectangles":[],"copycoords":false,"static":false,"visitedicon":"","wmsoverlay":false,"zoom":8,"layers":[],"controls":["zoom"],"zoomstyle":"DEFAULT","typestyle":"DEFAULT","autoinfowindows":false,"resizable":false,"kmlrezoom":false,"poi":true,"cluster":false,"clustergridsize":60,"clustermaxzoom":20,"clusterzoomonclick":true,"clusteraveragecenter":true,"clusterminsize":2,"imageoverlays":[],"kml":[],"gkml":[],"searchmarkers":"","fullscreen":false,"scrollwheelzoom":false,"locations":[{"text":"","title":"","link":"","lat":36.13898499999999813780959811992943286895751953125,"lon":-82.3466489999999993187884683720767498016357421875,"icon":""}]} Show Large Map

Trail Overview

Located in Unaka Mtn. Wilderness of the Cherokee National Forest, hike to a pair of cascading waterfalls with several stream crossings.

How to get there

From Erwin, TN

1. Take Exit 36 off I-26.
2. Turn left on unnamed road across the interstate to intersection with Tenn. 107 in Erwin.
3. Turn right on Tenn. 107 for about a mile.
4. Turn left on Tenn. 395 (USFS sign to Beauty Spot).
5. Proceed 3.2 miles.
6. Turn left into the USFS Rock Creek Recreation Area.
7. Park near restrooms at Picnic Area.

Same as for Rattlesnake Ridge Trail

Route Description

Walk the paved road through campground or alternately take the new bypass trail around. The trailhead is behind the tent camping area. Forest Service Trail #148 Rock Creek Falls follows the Rock Creek as it winds up the hollow. Do not cross either the bridge at the trailhead nor the one shortly up the trail as these are for a mountain bike loop. Just past the second bridge, you'll see signs for entering the Unaka Wilderness area. You'll pass several smaller falls and cascades on the way to the main falls located in a secluded, rocky amphitheater.

Typical Conditions

The blue blazed trail can be narrow, rough, and steep as work your way up Rock Creek. There are four creek crossings which were easily "rock hopped" as folks have been placing stepping stones. Otherwise, recommend bringing water shoes to protect feet on the possibly slippery rocks. It will take a couple of hours to hike up the trail depending upon how quickly you can cross the creek - and stops to observe the mountain hollow and cascading stream.

Fees, Permits, etc.

Rock Creek Campground is open May 1 through November 1. Campground gates are closed from 10 PM until 7 AM. If closed, then add a mile to hike in from the main gate. Day use area fee is $2 per car. Permit must be visibly displayed in vehicle. Wilderness designated area, thus group size is limited to 14 people. Dogs are allowed, but must remain on a 6 ft or shorter leash.

For more information, see Forest Service webpages for the recreation area and trail.

After the Hike

During summer months, consider taking a dip in the ice cold swimming pool. Refreshing!

Misc. Information

Trail distance on the kiosk says 2.5 miles, but only 1.52 miles measured.

Maps

Loading map...

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Photos

• 

  Upper Rock Creek Falls

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  Trailhead also with Rattlesnake Ridge

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  Frozen Falls