Mingo Falls (Cherokee)

Mingo Falls is a 120-foot waterfall on Mingo Creek in Swain County, North Carolina.  The waterfall is located in Qualla Boundary.

Hike Length: 0.4 miles
Estimated Time: < 1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Qualla Boundary
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Yes
Features: Waterfalls (1)
Crowds: Moderate
Warnings: The rocks around the waterfalls are very slippery.
Trailhead GPS: 35.53406,-83.27618
Waterfall GPS: 35.53182,-83.27512

Directions:

From Cherokee, head north on US-441 from the junction with US-19 2.2 miles. Turn right on BIA-441 and then left on Big Cove Road in less than a quarter mile. Follow Big Cove Road for 4.8 miles and turn right on Mingo Falls Bridge Road, The parking area is across the bridge.

Map:

Hike Description:

The trail to the overlook for the waterfall is only about a quarter-mile, but involves climbing up more than 100 stairs. After the stairs, it levels off and reaches a wooden overlook for the falls.

It's a really nice waterfall and is still quite scenic in lower water levels.

Here's a video of the falls.

Blog Entries:

03-Jan-2022: Elk in the Snow

02-Sep-2016: Great Smoky Mountains Waterfalls

25-Oct-2014: Mingo and Enloe Creek Falls

External Links:

National Park Service website: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/mingo-falls.htm