Have been to Laurel Creek Falls (Trash Can Falls) many times and we love it. It's beautiful every…read moretime off year. I've came when it's crowed and when it's empty. The parking is off on a gravel area on the side of the road and it's limited. To get to the falls cross the street and follow the path through the woods. It's a super short and really easy path but once you get to the falls you do have to do some climbing and maneuvering so I don't recommend for anyone disabled, small children, or older folks who have issues getting around. We recently went post hurricane Helen and it looks a little different. The wood planks for crossing are gone but the straps remain to help you get out of the swimming hole. There is a fallen tree we had to climb over. Still many people there having a great time just as before!

This place is awesome to jump into a fresh spring & clean water as well, the rocks are a bit high…read morebut once the fear of heights is gone you'll have a blast!!!!! :)

Love it here ... this particular part of the park is my favorite. Lots of deer around and spots to…read morefish.

We were visiting the area and looking for an easy walking path. This path did not disappoint it is…read morea Beautiful, scenic, well maintained walking path. There are many places to sit and enjoy the views of the river along the way. It is Pet friendly with lots of pet waste stations. There was Plenty of parking at the Clawson-Burnley Park. Highly recommend for all ages.

What a gorgeous park, even in the winter time…read more Since it's winter when I visited, I can't review all of the incredible summer time water sports but I know this park can get busy then. Winter was in incredible time to visit, easy parking, a chance to chat with the staff at the visitor center, and walk around. The lake is beautiful. I've heard that this area did get some hurricane/ storm damage but everything needed to drive around is up and running! Make a plan to visit next time you're nearby. It's about 1 hour drive from downtown Asheville.

This has the look of one of those parks formed around a dam. Don't get me wrong; I'm all for…read morehydroelectric power, but artificial lakes always feel like they're lacking a certain mystique. This park had an impressive visitor center and restrooms were open even after it closed, though neighboring water fountains were not functioning on a hot summer day. The trail I selected was rugged and had occasional waterside views, most notably on a footbridge that offered a mountain vista. Cell service was not great for me, and while I'd hoped to do a zoom meeting on the run I had to return to more urban areas. But if you actually want to get unplugged, the people on boats here appeared to be having a good time.

This is such a lovely park. Definitely worth a visit if you're a tourist, and worth being part of…read moreyour weekly fun outdoors if you're a local.

We love walking here. The walkway is paved, but lots of roots make it uneven. They have them all…read moremarked for your safety though. Come for a walk, picnic or a pickup game of soccer.

Not Too Bad Of A Hike. Very Rewarding Views At The End! Slippery When Wet. Wear The Proper Shoes!read more

You can't pay for views like this, and good news is... you don't have to!…read more Rough Ridge Overlook is a local *and* tourist hot spot for some of the best views in the state! I went there with some GFs for nature and the views, and it didn't dissapoint. Definiteluy put this spot on your map when planning a trip to Grandfather Mountain.

Linville Falls is one of those places where the journey is as much a part of the experience as the…read moredestination. First, the good stuff: admission is free, parking is free, and the scenery is absolutely gorgeous. If you're driving the Blue Ridge Parkway, watch carefully for Milepost 316 and the signs for the Visitor Center and Campground. It's easy to miss if you're not paying attention. The weather on my visit was spectacular. It was nearly 20 degrees cooler than Charlotte, and after a few minutes in the mountains, I understood why people keep coming back. The forests are lush, the rhododendrons were blooming, the streams were crystal clear, and the overlooks provide beautiful views of the gorge and waterfalls. That said, if you have knee issues or mobility challenges like I do, know what you're getting into. I have a torn ACL, and while this isn't an extreme hike, I wouldn't call it easy either. The trails include uneven terrain, loose rocks, roots, stairs, narrow pathways, and some fairly steep inclines and descents. Going downhill was actually harder for me than climbing up. I was encouraged to see hikers of all ages out enjoying the trails. There were families with children, seniors, avid hikers with trekking poles, and plenty of casual visitors stopping at the overlooks. The atmosphere felt friendly and relaxed. Was it worth it? I'm still a little on the fence personally, mostly because my knee limited how much I could enjoy the trails. But I can absolutely appreciate why Linville Falls is one of the Blue Ridge Parkway's most popular stops. The views are beautiful, the facilities are convenient, and it's an easy way to experience some of North Carolina's mountain scenery without committing to an all-day hike. If you're reasonably mobile and enjoy nature, it's worth a stop. If you have bad knees, just bring realistic expectations and take your time. Life is too short to stay indoors. Get out there and explore. The mountains are waiting.

Saturday Tony Vanoy and I went hiking at Linville Falls off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Linville NC…read morearea. It was such a beautiful day! It was about a 2 mile loop if you go all the way to Erwin' View on the trail from the Visitors Center & parking lot where the bathrooms and gift shop is located. We had a lovely hiking adventure!

This was a cute hike. The signage was a bit confusing in late July 2026, but we found the waterfall…read morepretty easily. We didn't have time that day to hang out and enjoy the pools beneath the waterfall, but there were a lot of people down there with their kids playing in the water. If I lived closer, I would gladly make a trip to this trail on a hot day to enjoy the water and nature. Highly recommend this hike. We ended up going left at the start of the trail up the hill - it was a lot of UP haha but it wasn't so bad on the way back because it's all down hill.

When standing at the beginning point, you can go left or you can go right. My group started our…read morewalk towards the right. Walking towards the right was a pretty lengthy & windy walk. The path itself was nice and mostly flat with very few branches. It was an uphill walk but a semi scenic walk. Once you get closer to the top, there are some benches to sit on and once you get basically at the falls, there are steps leading down. The falls themselves are beautiful and the sound of the water is rather peaceful. Walking from the falls back up is rather steep. On the walk back we decided to go the opposite way we initially took. That path was a shorter path but there were tons of rocks and it was just steep and not nearly as scenic as the other path.

On our way to the top for leaf peeping, we stopped here for a bit and enjoyed the scenery. Located…read moreat milepost 297 of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the part encompasses over 4200 acres of rolling mountainous terrain that include campgrounds, hiking trails, picnic sites and Price Lake. The highlight is the Tanawha Trail that runs 13.5 miles and includes Grandfather Mountain. There are canoes available for rental and the lake is stocked with fish. This time of year with the leaves turning, it was a beautiful spot and we enjoyed our time here. Five stars. [Review 15917 overall - 3132 in North Carolina - 1422 of 2021.]

The trail around Price Lake is an easy walk, ducking in and out of the tickets along the shore…read more If it's rained or snowed recently, make sure to bring footwear that can tolerate a little mud. While trail improvements have eliminated some of the messier areas, the reality is that well worn walking trails also make for welcoming drainage paths. Parking is readily available in a lot adjacent to the dam, or in a larger lot just down from the amputheater (near the boat rentals).