Where is Tom's Creek Falls?

Tom's Creek Falls is located between Marion and Little Switzerland, NC in McDowell County. This 80' tall multiple cascade waterfall is not only beautiful, but easy to get to as well. It is located off a 1.2 mile drive from US 221, north of Marion, and the trail is an easy 1-mile round-trip hike.   

There is even an observation deck that provides excellent views of the falls, although from a distance.

The waterfall and trail are perfect for families looking to get the kids out to burn off a little energy, and also great for those that like to hike, but can't for long distances.

To reach Tom's Creek Falls, just turn left on Huskins Branch Road off US 221 North of Marion. Drive 1.2 miles to the trailhead and parking area on the right.

The trailhead is on the right side of the parking lot, behind the large trail information sign. The parking area is small, but it's not too busy. There is a gravel/service road shortly before the parking area. This is not the trailhead, so don't let it fool you like it did us.

Hiking to Tom's Creek Falls

The hike is an easy stroll through the woods with very little elevation change, except towards the very end, where you will need to hike up a few short switchbacks to the observation deck.

The hike follows the Tom's Creek the whole way up to the base of the falls.   

During the first portion of the hike, you'll pass by a few tent campsites on your left. We took a few minutes to explore the creek here. Nothing super photogenic, but it is peaceful.

The trail wonders through the forest, and crosses a bridge on the way to fall. Along the way, there are some side trails that lead down to the creek. Again, nothing is very photogenic, but there are some nice smaller cascades to explore.

There are some benches along the way for resting and where you can just sit and enjoy the surrounding woods and sounds of the creek.

You'll soon reach the switchbacks, where you'll know you're close to the falls. You can actually hear them at this point.

Be sure to begin looking at the ground as you walk up the switchbacks, and especially at the short trail at the top to the observation deck. Why? You'll begin to notice lots of sparking and shiny rocks on and all around the trail.

The area was once a Mica mine, and lots of Mica sparkles on the trail as you walk along it. Mica is flat natural mineral that is platelike and used for many purposes, including semi-conductors, cosmetics, automobiles, and paints and pigments.

Tom's Creek Falls and the Observation Deck

Ahead, you'll see the observation deck and get your first glimpse of this gorgeous 80' waterfall, with multi-cascades.

Lots of green moss covers the rocks at Tom's Creek Falls because of the amount of sun the waterfall receives. This makes for some fun photo opportunities and gives the waterfall a unique look as well.

The observation deck provides a nice and safe, but distant, view of the waterfall. Most people hike to the deck, enjoy the falls, and return to the parking area.

BUT, if you like to get more up close and personal with waterfalls like we do, head back down the trail, and look for a small side trail heading to the left and up. Follow this trail up and over the large boulder, and down the pool at the base of the Tom's Creek Falls.

The small pool is fun for kids to play in and explore, and being at the base provides some pleasant views of the waterfall to enjoy and photograph.

Tom's Creek Falls is definitely worth the short hike when you're in the Marion, NC area!

Graveyard Fields Trail

Art Loeb/Black Balsam Knob Trail

Cat Gap Trail to Three Waterfalls

Moore Cove Falls

Avery Creek Falls Trail

Buckhorn Gap Trail to Twin Falls

Max Patch and the Appalachian Trail

Pink Beds Trail

Looking Glass Rock Trail

John Rock Loop Trail

Mount Pisgah Trail

https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/mount-mitchell-state-parkMount Mitchell Trail

Frying Pan Lookout Tower

Sam's Knob Trail

Flat Laurel Creek to Wildcat Falls

Courthouse Falls Trail

Seniard Ridge Trail to Discovery Falls

Cove Creek Loop Trail and Cove Creek Falls

Craggy Pinnacle Trail - Temporarily Closed

Skinny Dip Falls Trail

This is an old photo of Skinny Dip Falls, before the severe flooding from Tropical Storm Fred in 2021. Sadly, it no longer looks this way. In fact, if you decide to hike down, you'll have trouble recognizing it.

There is a small waterfall there now, but this entire area was destroyed and the waterfall is nearly gone now. There also isn't much of swimming hole left either.

The hike down is still short, and it is worth it, just not the same place it used to be. You can see before and after scenes in our video:

Looking Glass Falls, Pisgah National Forest NC

Looking Glass Falls is named after Looking Glass Rock, as the creek the Falls is on is also called Looking Glass Creek, which flows past Looking Glass Rock.  

Looking Glass Rock is a very large Mountain/Rock, visible from of the Parkway.  During the winter, it's rock faces often get covered with ice, giving the appearance of a "looking glass", especially in the early mornings.

Looking Glass Falls is located in the Cradle of Forestry area of Pisgah National Forest, near Brevard NC.   This area was previously part of Biltmore Estate, and was sold off to the federal government after George Vanderbilt's passing.   Logging Railroads used to come right by the waterfalls.

Looking Glass Falls is nearly roadside.  The parking area is alongside Highway 276, and often full during peak season.   Be prepared to walk a bit up to the falls.

From the parking lot , you can get a nice view of the falls without having to walk down any stairs, making this handicap accessible.  For a better view. walk down the short flight of stairs to the observation deck.  Here's the view from the deck:

From the deck, you can climb down onto the rocks, and get to the bottom of the falls, which is a popular place for wading and swimming during the summer.  

Going down below the falls is a popular place for photographers, and provides the best view of the falls and of the Looking Glass Creek, as you can see in the photo below.  

Mornings are not a good time for photos at Looking Glass, as the sun comes up directly behind the Falls.  You'll want to visit during very early morning, late afternoon, or preferably on a cloudy day.   

During the summer, the creek area below the falls is often full of families and children, wading, swimming and playing the water.  Just be very careful, the rocks can be slick and people have gotten injured here from falling.

Looking Glass Falls is a gorgeous 50 foot waterfall that should definitely be on your list of things to see while visiting the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.    Looking Glass Falls is open year-round for viewing.

Looking Glass Falls in the Movies!

Some of you may recognize this waterfall from the blockbuster movie Hacksaw Ridge.   To our knowledge, this is the only documented appearance of this waterfall in a Hollywood movie, but tell us in the comments if you know of others.

Nearby Waterfalls:

• Sliding Rock is just a short drive up the road, and visiting both makes for a great day outing.  
• Moore Cove Falls - While you need to hike, it's not too long, easy, and the falls are beautiful.  You can stand under them.
• Cedar Rock Falls, Upper Cedar Rock Falls, and Grogan Creek Falls - All three falls are along a really nice hiking trail into Pisgah National Forest.

Looking Glass Falls Video

Little Fall Branch Falls

This 40' waterfall is a real hidden gem, and surprisingly pretty.  Little Fall Branch Falls isn't a free falling waterfall all the way down, but a steep incline of cascades that launch the water, and make it beautiful to see, hear, and photograph.  

The falls are surrounded by luscious green vegetation, included lots of moss and ferns.

In dry or drought conditions, Little Fall Branch Falls isn't worth visiting, but after a good rain or even in normal conditions, it's well worth the visit.

Hiking to Little Fall Branch Falls

Calling the walk to this waterfall a hike is a bit of a stretch.  From the parking area, it's only .3 miles to the waterfall, along an informal, creekside trail, that has a very slow incline up to Little Fall Branch Falls.

The trailhead begins just after the gate, and you'll see it immediately to the left, next to the small creek.  The photo above was taken just after starting the trail.

Not far along, you'll hear the sounds of the waterfall in the distance, and before you know it, it will appear ahead of you.

Visiting this waterfall, while in the Harmon Den area or while heading up to Max Patch, makes for a worthwhile side trip.

Little Fall Branch Falls Video

Hiking Sam's Knob and Flat Laurel Creek Trail Loop

The trailhead for the loop along Sam's Knob and Flat Laurel Creek Trail is at the end of Black Balsam Rd, past the trailhead for Black Balsam Knob, off the Blue Ridge Parkway, at MP 420.2. The parking area here serves as the starting point for a few hikes.  

Sam's Knob Trail

For Flat Laurel Creek Trail, you'll want to head down the hike to Sam's Knob, located to the right of the pit toilets.  The hike begins on an old roadbed, through some forest and  along the side of a ridge.

You'll very soon reach a clearing, and then decend down wooden stairs to a gorgeous meadow.  The clearing and meadow are full of beautiful and colorful wildflowers during the spring, summer and Fall.  If you're a photographer, you'll want to plan to spend some time here.  There are often thousands of butterflies here as well.

As you look at the trail ahead, you'll see Sam's Knob in front of you. Stay on the trail through the meadow until you arrive at a T intersection on the far side the meadow. The photo above is looking back through the meadow from the T intersection.

Sam's Knob Trail Intersection

This hike goes left, and you'll follow the signs saying "Flat Laurel Creek". You can optionally head up the .6 (1.2 mile round trip) mile hike to the top of Sam's Knob, which provides stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The hike up is pretty rocky, and a bit steep.

The trail we'll follow to the left isn't Flat Laurel Creek Trail yet, but a connector trail from Sam's Knob Trail to Flat Laurel Creek Trail.  The connector trail follows along the edge of the meadow for a bit, and then begins to decend down a rocky trail.  

The trail narrows and becomes more and more rocky through this stretch. The trail here is also very eroded and often wet and muddy, so watch your footing.  Good hiking poles are a real asset here for those with balance issues. 

You'll soon pass through a popular camping area, with a creek to the right.  Shortly following that, you'll cross through a swampy, bog area where not getting muddy and wet is a bit of a challenge.   There is a really cool "frog pond" here to the left, that makes for some interesting photo opportunities.

Flat Laurel Creek Crossing

A little further down the trail, you'll reach a set of stairs that take you down to Flat Laurel Creek.  We love to stop here, relax on the large rocks, and let our kids play in the water and in the small waterfalls here.  This is one of the most beautiful parts of the trail, and a great place to take a break and have some snacks.

To cross, you'll have to rock hop.  We've never had a problem getting across, but during periods of high water, this could possibly be a real challenge, especially given the small waterfall just to your right.

Flat Laurel Creek Trail

Just past the creek, you'll reach the wide, and frequently travelled Flat Laurel Creek Trail.  The trail will come from the right, continue past you going left.  You can head to the right, but this will take you off the loop.  To the right takes you down to Highway 215, and past Wildcat Falls.

Again, for this hike, we'll go left.  This portion of the trail takes you along an old railroad grade, so while it's a steady climb up, the accent is easy.  The trail also takes you alongside Flat Laurel Creek, and through a mainly evergreen forest, with lots of birch as well.  There are a number of side trails along this section that take you up into the forest, or down to the creek.  We find it fun to explore these.

You'll then begin a gradual turn to the left, that will bring you to another creek crossing and you'll begin to accend shortly after, back to the parking area.  

The forest will slowly fade away, and you'll be once again in a meadow like area full of large shrubs, rocks and and trees.  You'll be able to hear the sounds of the road and parking area before you actually reach them.

Your hike will end on the opposite side of the parking area from where we began.

Hiking to Discovery Falls

The hike to Discovery Falls begins at the trailhead for Seniard Ridge trail, also called FR5043 right by the small parking area.   You'll pass by the gates, and follow the wide Forest Service Road down for about 0.22 miles, where you'll reach your first wooden bridge crossing a stream.

Just before the bridge, and to the right is a small trail.  Follow this trail for about .25 miles up to the Falls.  The trail is easy until the very last section just prior to reaching Discovery Falls, where it gets pretty steep.  The trail is very clear, and easy to follow.

Discovery Falls

While pretty, this isn't an exceptionally beautiful waterfall, especially when creek flow is low, but it is definitely worth the short hike.  Visiting this waterfall shortly after a heavy rain is more rewarding as the water flow is higher.

Even under high flow, the waterfall is slower flowing falls, where the water softly flows down the rock face, at a very steep angle.  

The waterfall is a bit difficult to photograph, due to the steep incline of the Falls itself and the ridge it flows down.   The best composition is available by carefully crossing over the stream, and taking the shot from the left side.  This is a bit risky though due to the slick rocks.

Fortunately lighting is almost always good here due to the thick forest canopy above the falls.

Other Area Waterfalls

There are a number of waterfalls along this trail.  Discovery Falls is the first of three, that are very easy to see.  In fact the next two, are visible from the trail:

• Log Hollow Falls - Guide coming soon!
• Logging Road Falls - Guide coming soon!