Attraction of the Week: Tom’s Creek Falls in the Pisgah National Forest

Tom’s Creek Falls is a spectacular 60 foot, 2 tiered waterfall in the beautiful Pisgah National Forest of Western North Carolina. Since moving to the region, I have been hiking to beautiful waterfalls most weekends. The WNC region alone is home to 100’s of jaw dropping waterfalls, with Transylvania County being home to over 250.

Tom’s Creek is what I consider one of the hidden gems. The hike is super easy and it’s never overcrowded thanks to the secluded setting. This hike is located just under 40 minutes from Asheville, so easily accessible via a short daytrip. The drive over is quite beautiful with pretty mountain vistas in every direction. I highly recommend checking it out if you are seeking an easy and less touristy waterfall hike.

It’s easily one of my favorites in the region. First off, the hike is super short and easily, so extremely rewarding for such minuscule effort. Due to the easy terrain, I would say this hike is a perfect option for families and beginning hikers.

If you want to keep it even easier, you can simply view the waterfall via the observation deck. Go on just a bit further (which involves a little bit of rock skipping) and you will be treated to a one-of-a-kind front row view. This is one of my top recommended hikes for anyone staying in Asheville. It’s short and rustic and I’ve yet to see more than a handful of other hikers.

Although the hike is super short at just a half of a mile, I love the relaxed woodsy trek. The hiking experience is so much more peaceful as the tourists tend to stick to the Parkway’s more popular options. I really feel that I can disconnect from work and my computer here (which I desperately need!). This is one trail where I can completely get loss in the woods. It’s so tranquil and the forest is so dense.

If you can time your hike during the peak of fall, the foliage is quite beautiful as well. Unfortunately, 2018’s fall season was pretty dismal. Despite the lack of vibrant colors, fall is still the best time to plan your hike due to gorgeous cool, dry temps. This area gets pretty cold in the winter and snow is a possibility, so not the best time to hike unless you want to see a frozen waterfall. Unfortunately, I’ve never been to any of these falls under icy conditions but I’ve heard it’s a pretty mesmerizing sight.

On an interesting historical note, this area is home to an old mica mine. Rocks glisten in the sun due to the presence of embedded mica. Fall is the driest season, so the best time to see the sparkling mica.

This is one of the few hikes I would consider during the winter season due to the short distance and ease of access (you do not have to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway which is often closed for the season). If you are lucky, you may even get to see a frozen waterfall. Unfortunately, I’ve never timed any of my hikes just right yet, but seeing one is definitely on my bucket list.

Overall, Tom’s Creek is what I consider to be one of the nicest easy waterfall hikes in this area. Considering the easy terrain and big pay off, it’s definitely one of the best bang-for-your-buck experiences in the area. The relatively quick drive over, easy nature of the hike, and spectacular scenery easily make this one a great pick for anyone vacationing in Asheville. This city is a wonderful base for exploring the outdoors. I know its’ tempting to spend all of your time enjoying the amazing food and art scene, but really, the nature here is stunning.

Additional info

• Location: 1250 Huskins Branch Rd, Marion, NC 28752.
• Parking: Free, although the small lot often fills up quickly on weekends. Streetside parking is also available.
• Distance: The hike is 0.5 miles out-and-back. Plan about an hour
• Pet policy: Leased dogs are ok.

The Pisgah is a massive national forest with plenty of diverse hiking options for everyone. You learn more about this trails and others on their website.