Big Laurel Creek Area
Marshall, North Carolina
| GPS: |
35°54'4.0"N 82°46'13.1"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | North Carolina |
Fishing
Hike, Kayak, Swim, and Whitewater
An easy, family-type, hike to several swimming holes of various degrees of challenge in Big Laurel Creek on its way to join the French Broad River. For details...Courtesy of swimmingholes.org
Bathing suits: May be optional at more remote places
Big Laurel ranks as one of the classic Western North Carolina whitewater runs thanks to its great moderate Class III/IV rapids, nice scenery, and frequent runnable flows. At low flows and medium flows Big Laurel is a great training ground for paddlers making the transition from river running to creek boating. At higher flows it is a booming river in its own right. Paddlers should be aware of an easily avoided sieve partway down on the left side of Stairstep Rapid, as well as a stout easily avoided hole on the right side of Suddy Hole. Hiking and swimming has picked up dramatically along Big Laurel in recent years so expect company in the summer. The trail borders the entire run and offers easy scouting and portaging. Courtesy of americanwhitewater.org
More Information
Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
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- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Marshall, North Carolina
- Head north on Baileys Branch Rd toward N Main St (26 ft)
- Turn left onto US-70 BUS W/N Main St (1.6 mi)
- Turn left onto US-25 N/US-70 W (9.0 mi)
- Turn left toward Hwy 208 (0.2 mi)
- Continue onto Hwy 208 (0.4 mi)
From Asheville, go north on US 19 (freeway) to Weaverville then take RT 25 north about 20 miles. As you approach the intersection of RT 25 and RT 208, you will see on the right a gravel road signed for a recycling facility and then also on the right a 25 MPH curve speed sign. On the left hand side of the road, right across from this curve sign, is an unsigned non-descript gravel road that looks like a driveway - turn left into this road and park where it says "foot traffic only". (It also says that this is a private road, but it is not, although there is some private land along side of it in the beginning before you get into the National Forest land - so keep off the private land.)
Walk down this road and keep left at the intersection. You will then be walking downstream along Big Laurel Creek on an old, abandoned road, that gets narrower as you go down the gentle grade. There are swimming places in this pretty creek at about 1 mile, 1.5 miles and 2.5 miles (and maybe others) from where you parked. CAUTIONOne or more of these swimming places are unsafe at higher water levels - study each one carefully for currents before swimming.Courtesy of swimmingholes.org
