Directions: The 160 steps are spread along half of a mile distance with a change in elevation of 140 feet. Quite a few people enjoying the falls and trail but never felt crowded and we were able to take amazing pictures like we were there alone. The hiking trails aren’t too bad and there were lots of places to rest along the way if needed. beautiful stream at start of gravel road. Mingo Falls Trail is located just South of the park, off the Newfound Gap Road, within the Cherokee Indian Reservation.It's only .4 mile up a paved trail. Difficulty Rating: 0.2 Steepness: Climbs Moderately Tread Condition: Some Obstacles . Hike Distance: A few hundred yards Difficulty: 8 Beauty: 6. the falls are absolutely worth the climb up the set of stairs. But it’s well worth it. Resources. Mingo Falls: Best waterfall hike - See 1,134 traveller reviews, 777 candid photos, and great deals for Cherokee, NC, at Tripadvisor. Just outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the Cherokee Indian Reservation, Mingo Falls is one of the tallest and most spectacular waterfalls in the Southern Appalachians. At the loop, this hike continues counter-clockwise by taking a right-hand turn at the fork in the trail. 0.2 mi one-way. It's a long hike, and though there's only a mild elevation change from the trailhead to the falls, there's plenty of up and down in between, most of it on the latter half of the hike between Wapama and Rancheria Falls. The waterfall majestically cascades down nearly 200 feet of rock face and boulders. Mingo Falls Venture into the woods to behold the majesty of Mingo Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in the Southern Appalachians, only a 10-minute car ride from us. Crowded, but falls were beautiful! The main body of this hike is fairly simple. Very short and easy. Guide to Visiting Havasu Falls (Updated for 2020) How to get a permit for Havasu Falls. Are dogs permitted on the trails? I believe it's exit #27. Confirm Removal. United States › North Carolina › Qualla Boundary › Mingo Falls. When you take the Yosemite Fall Hike, you want to be a visitor, not become a statistic, so plan carefully. The Duggers Creek Trail goes from the visitor center to the far end of the long parking lot-a 0.2-mile walk. There are a lot of stairs and the hike to the falls is mostly uphill, but it isn't too strenuous or very long. Mingo Falls is on the Cherokee Indian Reservation (Qualla Boundary), just outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Mingo Falls. Explore the full Rifle Falls hike profile below for … From downtown Gatlinburg, take the main Parkway/US 441 into the National Park. There are hundreds of them. The other trail listed by NPS as being dog friendly is the Oconaluftee River Trail. The waterfall is also unofficially called Big Bear Falls. You will climb steps (about 164) until the ground levels out, then a trail will take you to a bridge where you can view the falls (0.2 miles one way). Can’t wait to go back!” If you’re staying in this area, check out our curated list of the top day trips near Gatlinburg, which includes outings to Clingmans Dome and Mingo Falls. 2. © 2020 - SmokyMountains.com. It was mid April and there were no other visitors to compete with. Great view! No special permits are required for access to the reservation. Trail information is available inside the Nature Center. Date of experience: August 2020 The trailhead starts at the corner of the parking area with a long series of stairs. Mingo Falls is located on the Cherokee Indian Reservation (Qualla Boundary), right outside of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The steps can be slippery if it has recently rained so take your time, … Went at almost dark and had no trouble getting to the top or back. The hike to Havasu Falls from the trailhead is 10 miles. TripAdvisor/Lois P. The trail itself is a mere .4 miles and this initial set of steps is the equivalent to climbing 16 stories. Consider visiting early in the day to avoid crowds, but keep in mind that, depending on the season, the morning sun may hamper your view a bit. From the Havasupai trail head, the total hike time to Havasu Falls is around 5-6 hours. Mile 0.7– Back on the main trail turn left towards Mingo Falls. Helpful 1 Not Helpful; Report answer. I have read about a smaller waterfall above Mingo Falls and have seen some pictures of it too. Many locals recommend going in the morning to avoid the crowds and for the best chance to see Mingo Falls in the morning fog. Not exa the best hike, but well worth the trip up. This is a falls that needs to be seen either in early spring with the ice melt for right after a very heavy rain. Mingo, on the Cherokee Indian Reservation, is one of the most fabulous falls in the whole Smoky Mountains area. Rifle Falls is a 70 foot, triple waterfall in Rifle Falls State Park. Follow this south and take the 19 south exit towards Maggie Valley. We went 11/17 late afternoon and was only a few people there. Insider Tips: The trail begins by following a short spur trail that leads to the main loop for the Mingo Trail. Just what I wanted for the few ppl I had with me, one with some health issues. The hike is rather steep, but it's only 1/4 of a mile long and the views are worth it. You'll climb about 160 steps to the 120-foot waterfall. - See 1,094 traveler reviews, 736 candid photos, and great deals for Cherokee, NC, at Tripadvisor. Mingo Falls. The trail is only a quarter-mile long, but the first part of it is very steep. Date of Hike: Sunday, December 17, 2017: I made a quick stop here after a longer hike in the area. The trail is a mix of singletrack and doubletrack with rolling hills, heading over logs and rocks here and there, and with a few small stream crossings too! A little crowded and wet, but it was a nice waterfall! It's short, though. The entire trail is only a half mile long, and from the top of the stairs, it is mostly hiking on the level to the footbridge going over the creek at the base of the waterfall. No permits are required to drive into the Qualla Boundary or to hike on the trail to Mingo Falls. The hike is … It's a 1/4 or 1/2 mile hike up the stairs. share Share . The first is walking on the relatively flat and paved trails, and the second is getting out into the woods for a proper hike. (Salt Creek Falls observation platform, July 2014) Salt Creek Falls is Oregon's second tallest waterfall (at 286 ft.) and quite a site to see! take first right, park and walk. Mingo Falls: LONG hike to the top but worth it! The waterfall and creek are named for a Cherokee chief whose village once stood several miles downstream. The waterfall consists of an upper and a lower section, divided by a walkway which crosses the stream (Laurel Branch) at the base of the upper falls. The steep journey pays off once you lay eyes on the incredible cascading waters. Turn onto Big Cove Rd and drive 5.5 miles to the Mingo Falls Campground and park. Report question. The stairs at the beginning are the worst part and they’re over soon enough. I would hardly consider this a hike. Road gradually downhill then back up...out and back... just because we aren't sure where it ends, lol...nice walk in the woods. They conquered the 620 steps to the summit – 175 to the viewing area and then another 445 to the top. ), but the fastest hikers could probably manage it in around 3-4 hours. It’s just .1 mile hike to the base of the falls along a paved, handicap accessible trail. The mighty Mingo is 120 feet. It was fine! This is an easy hike rated moderate for the stairs and rocky area before the observation bridge. The SmokyMountains.com Local Experts Team. Each summer there are numerous first aid response calls to this trail related to dehydration. Good sun exposure makes this hike a good option for hiking in the fall and winter. Mingo Falls Picture And Movie Hike Mingo Falls North Carolina Short Version With Music 8 Minutes. Tried to capture some of this-see photos. Take I-40 west and get off at the Hwys 19, 23, 74 exit. Google Maps/Master Phillips However, even in winter (except in extreme icy and snowy conditions) the trail is still well-traveled, in spite of the initial uphill climb. HikingUpward.com Search : Enter one or more keywords to search for using the HikingUpward.com Search Engine. Mingo Creek drops dramatically into the Raven Fork Gorge over two waterfalls in succession. Reached via Big Cove Road on the Qualla Boundary of the Cherokee Reservation, the trailhead for Mingo Falls lies but a stone’s throw from Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s Oconaluftee Visitor Center, the park’s main south entrance. Mingo Creek is small so I highly recommend checking this out when the water is up. Mingo Falls: Nice short Hike to Falls - See 1,115 traveler reviews, 752 candid photos, and great deals for Cherokee, NC, at Tripadvisor. The 5.4 mile roundtrip hike is considered moderate in difficulty. Situated in the Qualla Boundary lands of the Cherokee people right outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Mingo… Access Trail: Rainbow Falls Trail in the Roaring Fork area. The trail to the falls traverses pine-oak forest on the ridges and hemlock and rhododendron forest along the creek. Note that '*' and '?' link Copy Link. At 120 feet tall, the waterfall is one of the tallest and most spectacular in the southern Appalachians. At a junction in 0.5 mile, turn right and go down steeply but briefly to Plunge Basin Overlook, a rock-walled perch above the falls. Once you pass Sugarlands Visitor Center on your right-side, continue straight for approximately 30 miles until you reach downtown Cherokee, NC. The hike is a ¼ mile and includes 161 steep steps to a picturesque wooden viewing bridge that crosses Mingo Creek directly in front of the falls. We were bummed no dogs allowed But there are some steep edges that could be a risk if you had hikers and dogs on leash. The hike to the falls includes 161 steep steps to a picturesque wooden viewing bridge that crosses Mingo Creek directly in front of the falls. TripAdvisor/KDiaz14 You'll find observation platforms along the way where you can take in the stunning falls from different viewpoints. The hike is 5 miles roundtrip and considered moderate in difficulty. After you reach Cherokee, you will turn left onto Acquoni Road, which parallels the beautiful Oconaluftee River. The creek plunges 150 feet in an amphitheater characterized by exposed ledges and encroaching foliage. At 120 feet tall, the waterfall is one of the tallest and most spectacular in the southern Appalachians. Roundtrip, the hike to Laurel Falls and back is 2.3 miles in total length. Trailhead: From Oconaluftee Visitor Center, drive south (toward Cherokee) on US-441 and take the second left onto Big Cove Road. Hiking. Easy hike for all my family ( kids 2-13) and the honey. The hike: Though technically not in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Mingo Falls draws many park visitors, partly because it is more accessible than most of the park’s waterfalls.Indeed, located only 0.2 miles from the parking area, almost anyone can reach Mingo Falls in spite of the fact that most of that 0.2 miles climbs up a 159 step staircase. Well maintained. The trail can be icy in the winter. Once you’ve ascended those, though, the grade slackens and it’s a quick walk to the wooden bridge at the base of Mingo Falls. Overview: Mingo Falls would probably have a higher beauty rating if A) there were fewer people visiting and B) if Mingo Creek, which feeds the falls, was a little stronger. Hikers will climb roughly 314 feet in elevation before arriving at the 80-foot waterfall. In fact, it’s the last hike off the Parkway as you head south. As hiking trails go, Mingo Falls Trail is a short walk but the climb to the falls is steep–it includes 161 steps! Hike Amicalola Falls State Park with Tweens and Teens. After approximately five miles on this two-lane paved road, you will see signs for the Mingo Falls Campground, which is adjacent to the trailhead. Can stop and rest if needed and/or take pics along the way. How long is this hike in total? The waterfall majestically cascades down nearly 200 feet of rock face and boulders. The bridge across Mingo Creek gives you front-row seats. 3 years ago Answer; About. This is on the North Carolina side of the park. The elevation you start at, looking down at the elevation after the switchbacks. From here the trail more or less follows the creek all the way to its headwaters along the northern slopes of Meigs Mountain. Mingo Falls is on the Cherokee Indian Reservation (Qualla Boundary), just outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is a very short, winding trail to the base of the falls. The trail is 0.4 miles (0.64 km) long and is considered moderately difficult. “Mingo” means “big bear” in the Cherokee language, and in fact you’ll also sometimes hear this cataract referred to as Big Bear Falls. The trail to Mingo Falls could be called, instead, a staircase to Mingo Falls. Turn left again at the first stop sign and continue 4.5 miles (7.2 km) to Mingo Falls Campground where the trail begins. \n\nTrailhead: From Oconaluftee Visitor Center, drive south (toward Cherokee) on US-441 and take the second left onto Big Cove Road. The “hike” to McWay Falls is really just a casual stroll on a mostly paved trail. No special permits are required for access to the reservation. The hike to the waterfall is only 0.4 miles in length, but is considered moderate in difficulty. Mingo, on the Cherokee Indian Reservation, is one of the most fabulous falls in the whole Smoky Mountains area. Pass through the visitor center portico and take the Linville Gorge Trail to the right. The official name of the falls originates from the Cherokee term Mingo which means Big Bear. Cherokee residents enjoy the falls as much as out-of-town visitors. Those in good physical condition can make this a 30-minute excursion while the less fit may want to allow an hour. In a mountain range known for lots of gurgling and gushing water, this horsetail falls is one of the standout liquid landmarks. The hike is well worth it though - Laurel Falls is very photogenic, and is widely considered to be one of the best waterfall hikes in the Smokies. Mingo Falls is a waterfall inside of Qualla Boundary. Popular Newest First Meghan K. 59; 137; Elite ’20; 2 years ago Half hour at most. Parking is limited, probably 15 cars max. Mingo Falls lies just a little ways above the creek’s mouth in the Raven Fork of the Oconaluftee River. Mingo Falls Trail is a 0.3 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Cherokee, North Carolina that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. The hike to the waterfall is only 0.4 miles in length, but is considered moderate in difficulty. If you’re visiting the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains, you definitely ought to consider the short (if steep) jaunt to Mingo Falls. The time it will take you, of course, depends on how fast you hike and whether you stop for breaks along the way (there are lots of fab picnic spots! The hike is well worth it though - Laurel Falls is very photogenic, and is widely considered to be one of the best waterfall hikes in the Smokies. Drive there was fine, signs for the falls start about a mile from the turn, as soon as you turn, the parking is right in front of you, camping is to the right/left. At 120 feet tall, the waterfall is one of the tallest and most spectacular in the southern Appalachians. It was all wonderful! Mingo Creek drains northwest off the ridge that culminates in Barnett Knob. Don’t miss your opportunity to walk behind a waterfall – you may get a little wet, but you won’t get drenched. Although the hike to the waterfall is only 0.4 miles in length, it is still considered moderate in difficulty. It’s no more than half a mile, and only when you include the weave and bob around the crowds. 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