Looking for a way to cool off this summer??? Head out to Sliding Rock in the Pisgah National Forest. Just a short drive from Buffalo Creek vacations, (@ 45mins to 1 hour). The cost is @ $2 per person as of summer 2017. During the summer months the parking lot fills up, so it might be good to get there early, especially on a weekend! They do have bathrooms open during the summer, beware….the water is mountain water & a little chilly but totally refreshing!!
Directions: From the intersection of NC 280 / US64 / US276 near Brevard, drive north on US276 for 7.5 miles and turn left into the parking area and up to the booth where you pay. You’ll see a ‘US Fee Area’ sign before the turn – there’s also a sign before the turn if you are coming south on 276 from the Blue Ridge Parkway.
After Sliding Rock turn & head towards Looking Glass Falls. Before you come to the Falls, you will see a sign that says: Coontree Picnic Area. You have to walk across a little creek, (some kids like to go across the large fallen tree which makes for a great photo op!) Then there is a big area where kids jump off a rock into a big swimming hole! My kids brought some tubes for the little ones to go in the little creek area. There are picnic tables here as well as bathrooms.
Summer Fun jumping into swimming hole at Coontree Picnic Area
Helpful Tip:
Be sure to swing through Walmart or K-mart to
pick up some water shoes!!
If you still have energy & want to see Looking Glass Falls, you’re in luck. It’s not that far down the road & it’s easy access off the main US276 north. So no hiking involved! This water fall is @ 60′ tall & people do swim at the base of the water falls in the pool.
Directions: From the intersection of NC 280 / US64 / US276 near Brevard, drive north on US276 for 5.6 miles and pull off in the paved lane on the right. If you are coming from the Blue Ridge Parkway, get off on the US276 exit and drive south for 9.2 miles. Looking Glass Falls will be on your left. You will have passed Sliding Rock and the parking for Moore Cove Falls.
