About Sliding Rock
Sliding Rock is a 60-foot natural water slide of smooth rock that drops into a deep, cold pool on Looking Glass Creek in Pisgah National Forest, near Brevard, North Carolina. Thousands of people ride it every summer. It is not a waterfall you view, so plan around the season and bring a swimsuit and an old pair of shorts.
Season and fees
The slide operates in the summer, with lifeguards on duty from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, and a day-use fee collected at the entrance. Recent listings put the fee near $5 per person, with free entry for young children, but rates change, so confirm with Pisgah National Forest before you go. Outside the lifeguarded season, sliding is not permitted. Hurricane Helene damaged the rock and pool in September 2024, so check that the site is open before a long drive.
What it is like
The water is cold even in August. The slide is smooth enough that you do not have to push, but the rock is abrasive, so wear shorts or a swimsuit you do not mind wearing out, not denim. Staff supervise at the bottom, and there is a changing area and stairs back up. Expect a line on weekends.
Getting there
Sliding Rock is on US-276, about 7 miles north of the Brevard junction with US-64, past Looking Glass Falls. From Gatlinburg, plan on about 2 hours 15 minutes. The lot fills early on hot days.
When to go
- Summer weekdays: Shorter lines.
- Weekends and holidays: Busy by mid-morning.
- Shoulder seasons: The slide is closed; the creek is still beautiful from the road.
Combine it with
Looking Glass Falls and the trail to Moore Cove Falls are on the same road. Brevard has plenty of food and lodging.
Good to know
- How tall is Sliding Rock?
- Sliding Rock drops about 60 feet.
- 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.
