About Mingo Falls
Mingo Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in the southern Appalachians, a roughly 120-foot cascade on Mingo Creek that the Cherokee tourism office says falls nearly 200 feet when you count the full rock face and boulders. It is on the Qualla Boundary, the land of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, just outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so it is not a national park stop and the park's parking tag does not apply.
The climb
A quarter-mile trail runs from the Mingo Falls parking lot up 161 steep steps to a wooden viewing bridge across Mingo Creek, directly in front of the falls. Visit Cherokee calls it "short, but intense." The steps are uneven and can be slippery after rain, so take your time, carry water and use the handrails. Seniors, small children and anyone with mobility concerns should go with a companion. Most people need about 30 to 45 minutes total, and the view is worth the effort.
Getting there
The trailhead is off Big Cove Road, about 5 miles north of downtown Cherokee, past the KOA campground. Mingo Falls Campground is nearby and is a handy landmark. The falls are free and open daily. From Gatlinburg, the drive through the park over Newfound Gap Road to Cherokee takes about an hour, plus a few minutes up Big Cove Road. Weekday mornings are the quietest.
When to go
- Spring: The heaviest flow and the loudest water.
- Summer: The trail is shaded, but the lot fills by late morning.
- Fall: Good color around the creek.
- Winter: Spray ice can coat the rocks and handrails; use caution.
Respect the place
This is Cherokee land. Stay on the trail and the bridge, do not climb on the rocks near the falls, and take your trash with you. While you are in town, the Museum of the Cherokee People and the Oconaluftee Indian Village are worth a visit. Cell service can be weak near the trailhead.
Good to know
- How tall is Mingo Falls?
- Mingo Falls drops about 120 feet.
- How far is the hike to Mingo Falls?
- It is about 0.25 miles each way, rated moderate.
- Can you swim or climb at the falls?
- Please don’t climb on or around waterfalls. Wet rock and algae are extremely slick, and falls from waterfalls are a leading cause of death in the Smokies. Enjoy the view from the trail.
