Chasing Waterfalls - Mingo Falls, Cherokee, NC

At 200 ft tall, Mingo Falls is one you definitely want to add to your waterfalls bucketlist! It is located about 20 minutes from Playin' Hooky Cabin, in Cherokee, NC and is one of the tallest waterfalls in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Photos simply do not do it justice. You must see this waterfall in person in order to truly digest its majesty.

Don't let the 150+ Stairs Climb Scare You

I passed over this waterfall many times due to the mention of having to climb over 150 stairs to reach it. On our most recent trip to the area, we were kid free so we decided to go for it! I have to admit, the view of the staircase from the parking lot was intimidating but I was determined to find out if it was worth the climb. (& my hubs was teasing me for being a wimp!)

The stairs were mostly all shallow, short steps up and there were several landing areas where I was able to pause for a few moments and then continue the climb. About 3/4 of the climb is the stairs and the rest is rugged terrain. I'd recommend hiking shoes with good grip and a hiking stick because we encountered a few wet, narrow areas where the hill was on one side but the other was a steep drop off. For this reason, I would not recommend this hike for smaller children.

As we made our way to the end of the path, I could hear the waterfall but could not see it until I climbed one final flight of 5 or 6 stone steps up onto a wooden bridge. THERE SHE WAS IN ALL HER MAJESTY. Mingo Falls took my breath away!

BREATHLESS

Recent rainfall plays a significant part in just how large many waterfalls are at any given time and Mingo Falls is no exception. We were delighted to experience her after a recent bought of rain and she was raging! Though it was an overcast day, I almost needed sunglasses to see all the way to the top of the falls. The bridge at the end of the trail provided a perfect location to pose for photos. Don't forget your selfie stick!

Surrounded by Majesty

People ask us why we chose Bryson City, NC as the location of our Airbnb cabin instead of Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge. To them I ask, "Have you ever been to Bryson City?" Usually the answer is no. We fell in love with the area because of its uniqueness compared to popular TN mountain towns. Though it boasts a quaint downtown full of fun shops, delicious food trucks and some of the kindest folks you'll ever meet, it is not nearly as commercialized as its TN neighbors. Furthermore, Bryson City is surrounded in all directions by countless outdoor adventures and historical sites. From waterfalls to centuries old settlement sites, unmatched fishing opportunities to rivers begging to be played on, and stunning scenic routes that weave around hiking trails through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Swain County hosts opportunities for anyone looking to find peace, relaxation and adventure. Check out our Things to Do page for more specifics.

We invite you to stay in our little piece of heaven in the mountains and fall in love with Bryson City as we have. Safe travels! ~Jamie & Spencer