A very short hike to a hidden and less popular gem inside the Southern Pisgah National Forest.
Just North of Brevard North Carolina, in the Southern Pisgah National Forest, is the easily reached Slick Rock Falls. This short 30ft waterfall is less than 100 yards from the parking area.
The Pisgah National Forest is 800 square miles of beautiful mountain terrain and is located completely in the state of North Carolina. It is home to numerous waterfalls, old growth forests, and mountain ranges like the Blue Ridge and Great Balsam mountains. Its vastness supports a variety of recreational and commercial activities including hiking, backpacking, and hunting. It is also the host to a number of signature North Carolina attractions.
The parking area and trailhead for Slick Rock Falls is located on the unpaved FR475B about 1 mile from the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education. From the intersection of highways 64, 276 and 280 in Brevard, head west on highway 276 into the Pisgah National Forest for about 5 miles turning left on FR475. Just after you pass the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, FR475B will veer off up a hill to the right. After 1 mile, look for an obvious parking lot with an information board. You should be able to hear the falls from the parking area.
The trailhead starts at the stairs located at about the center of the parking lot. While the trail is extremely short and it is fairly obvious where to go, you will encounter a fork where you stay right heading to the base of the falls.
Slick Rock Falls isn’t the highest waterfall in the area and water flow on the falls can vary greatly depending on the amount of recent rainfall. However, it is still a very beautiful waterfall that is worth a visit. The rock structure that forms the falls is somewhat striking as the falls separate from and free fall to the boulders below. On a good warm day you could stand below the falls and get drenched by the cool mountain water.
Regardless of whether you decide to take a shower under Slick Rock Falls or not, we think you will enjoy visiting this hidden gem.
Take your time enjoying the falls before walking the trail back to the parking lot. Be safe walking down the stairs.