Mingo Falls

Not far from Cherokee, no signs to the site, but easily accessible from highway. You have to climb a very tall staircase (which was little tough with kids) and then a short easy hike to the falls. Well worth it.

The steps are a little daunting, especially to my husband and I (we’re not in the best shape!) But it was not long at all, like 0.4 miles, round trip. The view was spectacular and the walk down was much easier! Definitely recommend it!

Phenomenal Frozen Waterfall. Even though the temperature was around 12 degrees it was worth being out there. Easy hike for the beautiful view.

One of the best waterfalls we have seen. The hike is easy and well worth the climb.

Not bad. If you’re in the area (at one of the local campgrounds, for instance), it is a moderately easy climb up the stairs to see the falls. The flow over the falls is not very strong, but pretty nonetheless.

We’ve hiked to over 25 waterfalls in the Tennessee, Carolina’s & North Georgia mountains. We’ve seen many great waterfalls, and this ranks amoungst the top. It is definitely one of the tallest we’ve seen and also about the shortest hike of any.
Just find the parking area, climb the roughly 120 steps to the top and walk the short trail to the Mingo Falls viewing bridge. We happened to go on a day it was raining, so we had no problems taking pics or enjoying the falls. However, it’s a small area, so it could get crowded very easily. We were able to climb, look, take pics and return in less than 15 minutes.
Would have loved to stay longer, but the rain was only getting harder. Highlight was the 50 something year old guy we met who took his 80+ year old dad to the falls. He carried him up and down the steps so he could see the falls with his own eyes. That touched our hearts deeply, and it’s something we will never forget.
TIP:
Other great waterfalls we’ve seen are Triple Falls for it’s shear glory and family photo opportunities. High Falls also for size and photo ops. Abram Falls is short, but has massive waterflow which makes it spectacular. Grotto Falls allows you to walk behind it. Laurel Falls is paved, so that makes it easy for families with small children. Hen Wallow Falls is a great hike with many scenic stops along the way to the falls.