Sponsorship Opportunity
Available
by
Latest Update: March 23, 2009
Red Fork Falls from the bottom, looking up.
DIRECTIONS: Take exit 23 off of Interstate 26. Turn south (right) at the town of Unicoi. Drive 0.8 miles to TN-107. Turn left (eastward) and go 7.6 miles, then turn right on Unaka Mountain Road. After 0.7 miles the road turns to gravel. Drive another 0.5 miles and park at an undesignated turnout by a 4WD road. Hike down this road. You'll reach the creek quickly and have to ford it, and then do it again in 100 feet. Follow the path to the top of the falls, though the path is not very clear in the beginning. A fairly steep short path is to the left of the falls and takes you to the base. Don't go to the brink of the falls. Many have and many have died. There are also lots of smaller cascades above and below these falls.
Directions from Avery County, NC: Take Hwy. 19E out of NC, traveling approximately 14 +/- miles, turning left onto TN-173 (Simerly Creek Road) for 6.5 miles. At intersection of TN-173 and TN-107, turn left. Travel 2 +/- miles, watching carefully for Red Fork Road on right. This is a single lane paved road. The parking area is small and unmarked on the right by a 4WD road. Hike down this road to the creek which you must ford twice. The trail is unmarked but the pathway is fairly worn and easy to follow. Again, it is a steep short path to the left of the falls that takes you to the base. Be extremely careful around these falls. Not only is it steep and slippery but rattlesnakes love the area during warm summer days.
Red Fork Falls from the top, looking down.
Red Fork Falls about half-way down.
Red Fork Falls looking at basin.
