Once in awhile, you happen upon a place that is such a perfect representation of an icon that you think eveyone knows about it. We found the PERFECT summer swimming hole/waterfall!
Elk River Falls is not well known to area visitors! Which makes it a very special quiet place! A short hike from the parking area, you pass over the falls and see breathtaking views down the river, and over the falls. The scenery in Autumn is especially beautiful. As if this scenery is not enough, just stroll a bit further down the trail.
A few hundred feet down the trail, you emerge at the base of the waterfall. A gently sloping rock beach brings you down to one of the most lovely swimming holes I have ever seen.
Swimming in the cool water with the roar of the waterfall in the background is both peaceful and exhilarating at the same time.
We spent the entire day swimming in the many holes and exploring all the crooks and crannies in the rock pools.
From the intersection of NC194 and US19E near Elk Park, drive 0.7 miles west on 19E and turn right down a hill, then immediately turn left on SR1303 – Old Mill Rd. This turn is easy to miss. Proceed another 0.3 mile and turn right on Elk River Rd. Continue on Elk River Rd for 4 miles into the Pisgah Forest where the road ends at the parking area.