Mingo Falls
Swain County, North Carolina
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- About 120 ft
- Location
- Swain County, North Carolina
- The walk
- ¼-mile hike with 161 steep steps
- Ground & access
- 161 steep steps. They can be slippery after rain.
The walk is short, but the 161 steep steps are the main consideration. A wooden bridge provides the waterfall view at the top of the approach.
Plan your visit
Viewing bridge via the steps
The visitor page does not specify whether the quarter-mile distance includes the return walk.
161 steep steps. They can be slippery after rain.
Where to start
Use the Mingo Falls lot off Big Cove Road, about five miles north of downtown Cherokee. The trail begins behind the parking area.
Timing & water
Listed as open every day. Check local information before travelling.
Before you go
The Cherokee visitor site lists admission as free.
Visitor informationMore waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Buckshot FallsSwain County, NC4.1 miN
- Fountain Branch FallsSwain County, NC4.1 miN
- Big Boy FallsSwain County, NC4.3 miN
- Chasteen Creek CascadeNational Park Service route, distance and parking rules documentedSwain County, NC4.3 miNW
- Great Blue Heron FallsSwain County, NC4.4 miN
- Island Slide FallsSwain County, NC4.5 miN
- Whitewater Branch FallsSwain County, NC4.5 miN
- Raven FallsSwain County, NC4.6 miN
- Hitchin Post FallsSwain County, NC4.9 miNW