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Scenic Overlooks and Waterfalls
Waterfalls are both majestic and mystical! We have two outstanding and convenient examples in Unicoi County.
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Rocky Fork Falls
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Enjoy the many tranquil views or take a playful dip in the falls...Rocky Fork has lots of adventures awaiting you.
Directions: Take the Flag Pond exit off of I-26 (exit #50), at the stop sign turn left onto Higgins Creek Road. Drive ½ mile, til you reach Rt. 23, turn right and travel 2 ¼ mi. thru Flag Pond, then turn left on Rocky Fork Road. Take your time driving up this road, the creek offers amazing cascades and waterfalls. After ¾ mi. you will see a gravel pull-off to the left. Park here (out of the way of the gate) and follow the gravel lane into Rocky Fork on foot.
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Red Fork Falls
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A visit to Red Fork Falls is well worth the effort!
Located approximately 2.4 miles off SR 107 on US Forest Service Road #230 and 12 miles from the Erwin Holiday Inn Express, there is simply a pullover on the right side of the gravel road to designate the entry to this hidden but beautiful waterfall approximately 50 feet in height.
Known and admired by locals for years, this jewel is a fairly easy walk of 15 minutes from the road. There are no warning signs posted but please note that it's extremely dangerous and foolhardy to get close to the top edge of the falls because of slippery and moss covered rocks.
Also, wild turkey, grouse, white tailed deer, and the elusive black bear make these hollows and ridges their home; so enjoy the abundant flora and fauna as you walk this Appalachian wonderland.
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Beauty Spot
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Experience the mystery of the Appalachian “Balds”!
Many think that both large herds of game animals and much later, early settlers grazed livestock on these rich, high meadows of tall grass each summer and kept trees and shrubs from encroaching. Others credit fires from summer lightening strikes for keeping these sometimes huge mountain openings clear. The “Beauty Spot” on top of Unaka Mountain Wilderness is an easy 8-mile drive (except in the wintertime, when 4 wheel drive may be necessary) from downtown Erwin. Along the way is Rock Creek Recreation Area and Falls which is another “must” for photographers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.Directions: From I-26 take the Erwin Main Street Exit (#36), at the end of the ramp turn east toward town and you will immediately arrive at a stop light. Turn right onto Rt. 107 and drive 1/2 mile, turn left at stop light onto Rock Creek Road (Rt. 395) -- continue on for 6.5 miles to TN/NC line (called Indian Grave Gap) and then take the gravel road to the left (you'll need to have a high clearance vehicle for this rough road). After 2.1 miles you'll come to a fork, stay right and you will immediately arrive at the Beauty Spot. Walk up the path that leads to the top of the bald and then turn left and follow the AT north for 1.15 miles.
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