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trip hike on the Carolina side takes you to Midnight Hole, without a doubt the best swimming hole in the entire park. A bit further up the trail, hikers delight in the 45-foot Mouse Creek Falls. The Big Creek campground provides a dozen tent sites along with a picnic area. Take I-40 to Tennessee Exit 451 at Waterville Road. Turn left after crossing the Pigeon River; proceed 2.3 miles to an intersection. Continue straight, past the ranger station, to a parking area at road’s end.
5. Cataloochee Valley The valley is often called the “quiet Cades Cove.” While Tennessee may have the more popular and crowded Cades Cove, North Carolina’s treasure is Cataloochee. With shady picnic spots, tumbling creeks and hiking trails both easy and hard, the valley offers fun for everyone. Bring your binoculars to spot elk, deer, wild turkeys and black bears. A self-guiding auto tour booklet describes the historic structures including
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SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT
The Appalachian Trail crisscrosses state lines at Newfound Gap. churches, a barn, and a school. A primitive campground offers tent and RV spots, and a horse camp allows equestrian access to the park’s backcountry trails. From I-40 in North Carolina take Exit 20 and go 0.2 miles on U.S. 276. Turn right onto Cove Creek Road and follow the signs 11 miles to the Cataloochee Valley.
6. Oconaluftee Visitors Center
This North Carolina site is home to the park’s newest visitor center, which showcases the area from prehistoric times to pioneer days to the creation of the national park. Visitors can explore the Mountain Farm Museum, which features a barn, farmhouse and working
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blacksmith shop along with such artifacts as farm tools and a whiskey still. Nearby, the Oconaluftee River Trail and the Mingus Creek Trail are short, easy hikes. Be sure to pick up a Junior Ranger booklet at the visitor center. Kids complete the activities then return the booklet to receive a Junior Ranger badge. Take U.S. 19 through Maggie Valley U.S. 441 North or take the Blue Ridge Parkway south until it ends on U.S. 441.
7. Appalachian Trail
The trail crisscrosses the North Carolina/Tennessee line at Newfound Gap. One of the trail’s most beautiful sections runs south from there through beech gaps and a spruce-fir forest to Indian Gap. This high-elevation trek, reaching more than 5,000 feet, is a moderate walk with stunning views. While most people will never walk all of the AT’s 2,200 miles, this portion is well worth exploring. Park in the Newfound Gap parking area, cross U.S. 441, and look for the trailhead near the low stone wall.
8. Deep Creek
This area on the North Carolina side offers some spectacular waterfall hikes that are easily accessible for children and