Flat Laurel Creek - Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike, and Swim in North Carolina
Flat Laurel Creek, North Carolina 28716, USA,North Carolina
35.327605, -82.9092991
Address: Flat Laurel Creek, North Carolina 28716, USA
GPS: 35°19'39.4"N 82°54'33.5"W
Maps | Directions
State: North Carolina
Trails/Routes: 1.8 mi

Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike, and Swim

Flat Laurel Creek is a 3.18 mile multi-use trail that is perfect for exploring on foot, horse and bike. This trail can be accessed from a parking lot on either end, making it easy to begin exploring. The trail follows Flat Laurel creek and is easy for hiking and mountain biking. Mountain bikes are allowed on trails, but are not allowed in marked wilderness areas. Horses are allowed throughout the area. This beautiful trail provides distant views of Sam Knob and Black Balsam Knob.

Flat Laurel Creek runs over many beautiful rock formations and rich orange earth. The colors of the water, the earth and the surrounding forest create eye-catching views. The creek also features a small waterfall. In a few spots the creek deepens so that is can be waded and swam in. Those hoping to swim should be careful of their safety in the running water. 

Flat Laurel Creek Trail is open year round, making this a great place to explore the colors of every season.

 

Updated June 27, 2026
4.2K Written by tasiawhicker

More Information

Add Resource

Link to another great resource

Never modify trail features. Ride trails when they're dry enough that you won't leave ruts. Speak up when you see others on the trail and always yield to hikers, horses, and others coming uphill. Always ride on the established trail.

Read More

Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.

Read More
  1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
  2. Travel & camp on durable surfaces
  3. Dispose of waste properly
  4. Leave what you find
  5. Minimize campfire impacts
  6. Respect wildlife
  7. Be considerate of other visitors

Directions

to add photos & videos and suggest edits

Guest Review/Comments

/5
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Edit Review Delete Review
Reply Cancel
Flat Laurel Creek, NC by twowaymuir
Flat Laurel Creek by Duane Pandorf Shining Rock Wilderness loop -  Flat Laurel Creek  by SoutheastBackpacker
4.2K

Added by tasiawhicker

Trails

Distance ?

1.7 miles

Elevation Gain ?

1,300 feet

Real Ascent ?

1,300 feet

Real Descent ?

0 feet

Avg Grade (8°)

14%

Grade (1° to 19°)

2% to 34%

Elevation differences are scaled for emphasis. While the numbers are accurate, the cut-away shown here is not to scale.

Other Mountain Bike Trails, Swimming Holes, Hiking Trails, and Horseback Trails Nearby

Add Location

Sunburst

Canton, North Carolina

3.4 miles NW

Swim near Canton, North Carolina

Swim

swim Swimming Hole

0.2-2.8 mi

Graveyard Fields

Brevard, North Carolina

3.5 miles E

Two cascading waterfalls — a swimmable Lower Falls just 1/3 mile from the road, and a more challenging Upper Falls on a 3.5-mile wildflower loop — make this a must-see hike.

Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

Courthouse Falls

4.0 miles S

A gorgeous 45-foot waterfall streams into a stunning blue-green pool in a greenery-covered cliff cove — just a 3/4-mile easy hike from the parking lot, open year-round.

Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

Skinny Dip Falls

Brevard, North Carolina

4.3 miles E

A cascading waterfall with multiple clear pools for wading and swimming, a 6-foot jumping spot, and an easy 3/4-mile forested walk from the Blue Ridge Parkway — swimmers should mind fast water and slippery rocks.

Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

2.3 mi

Cove Creek

Canton, North Carolina

5.3 miles E

A fast, fun descent on Cove Creek Trail near Canton after a gravel forest road climb — cool rock sections at the top and rustic log bridges midway down.

Mountain Bike

mountain bike Mountain Bike Trail

7.1 mi

Daniel Ridge Loop

Canton, North Carolina

5.4 miles SE

A classic short Pisgah loop with moderate technical riding, a rocky downhill roller coaster, two waterfalls, and multiple route options to tailor the adventure.

Hike, Mountain Bike

mountain bike Mountain Bike Trail

hike Hiking Trail

3.1-4.3 mi

Farlow Gap

Canton, North Carolina

5.4 miles SE

One of Pisgah's most technical downhills — a minefield of boulders dropping 2,000 feet in 3 miles, best ridden as part of the Fish Hatchery loop.

Hike, Mountain Bike

mountain bike Mountain Bike Trail

hike Hiking Trail

Big East Fork

Canton, North Carolina

5.8 miles NE

Heavy forest, multiple waterfalls, and a river that shifts from white rapids to calm swimming holes along Big East Fork in Pisgah National Forest — great for kayaking, camping, and swimming year-round.

Backpack, Hike, Kayak, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

kayak Kayaking Area

backpack Backpacking Trail

Cove Creek Tubs

Brevard, North Carolina

5.9 miles SE

Three perfectly rounded pot holes — the Pisgah Forest's finest — stack up to 12 feet deep in sun-drenched pools that are best described as nature's own jacuzzi collection.

Swim

swim Swimming Hole

Whaleback Swimming Hole

Asheville, North Carolina

6.1 miles SE

A horseshoe of massive bedrock around a deep, green swimming hole where Cove Creek meets the Davidson River — locals' quiet answer to crowded Sliding Rock.

Swim

swim Swimming Hole

0.8 mi

Daniel Ridge Falls

Brevard, North Carolina

7.2 miles SE

An easy half-mile hike in Pisgah National Forest near Brevard to a 150-foot waterfall known by three names — most impressive after rain, modest in dry spells, with an optional 4-mile loop to the top.

Hike, Mountain Bike, Swim

mountain bike Mountain Bike Trail

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

13.5 mi

Horse Cove Gap Loop / FS 475C

Brevard, North Carolina

7.3 miles SE

A 12-mile round-trip mountain bike ride near Brevard on forest road and singletrack through Horse Cove Gap, with views of Looking Glass Rock, Pilot Rock, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Mountain Bike

mountain bike Mountain Bike Trail

Butter Gap / Trail #123

Brevard, North Carolina

7.3 miles SE

Butter Gap Trail in Pisgah Forest climbs about 1,000 feet and connects to FS 471D — the western fork is open to mountain bikes, with seasonal bike access on part of the route.

Hike, Mountain Bike

mountain bike Mountain Bike Trail

hike Hiking Trail

Pilot Cove Loop Trail

Pisgah Forest, North Carolina

7.6 miles E

A short 1.8-mile singletrack loop in Pisgah Forest with steep, tight turns and one of the best ridge views in Pisgah National Forest.

Hike, Mountain Bike

mountain bike Mountain Bike Trail

hike Hiking Trail

Coontree

Brevard, North Carolina

8.1 miles SE

A gnarly 3.7-mile one-way trail near Brevard — a steep hike-a-bike one direction and a steep, technical descent the other; prepare to get your legs worked.

Mountain Bike

mountain bike Mountain Bike Trail

Looking Glass Falls

Brevard, North Carolina

8.2 miles E

A cascading 60-foot waterfall over mossy stone with a wading pool below — just a short, beautiful walk from Pisgah Highway in Brevard, stunning in any season.

Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

0.1 mi

Looking Glass Falls

Brevard, North Carolina

8.2 miles E

One of North Carolina's most popular and accessible waterfalls — the 60-foot Looking Glass Falls drops roadside along the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway in Pisgah National Forest, with easy viewing from the parking area or a short walk.

Swim

swim Swimming Hole

Bear Creek Area

Tuckasegee, North Carolina

8.3 miles SW

Several remote swimming holes in lakes along Route 281 southeast of Sylva and Cullowhee — bathing suits optional at most spots, given how far off the beaten path they are.

Swim

swim Swimming Hole

Big Creek Area

Tuckasegee, North Carolina

8.3 miles SW

Several remote swimming holes near the TN-NC border in the Big Creek Recreation Area of the Great Smoky Mountains — very secluded, and dogs are not allowed on the trail.

Swim

swim Swimming Hole

Coontree Recreation Area

Brevard, North Carolina

8.5 miles E

A scenic picnic area on the Davidson River with direct access to calm, deep water for swimming and fishing — plus the 3.7-mile Coontree Loop Trail through Pisgah National Forest.

Hike, Mountain Bike, Swim

mountain bike Mountain Bike Trail

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

More Similar Arenas Near Flat Laurel Creek:

Mountain Bike Trails Swimming Holes Hiking Trails Horseback Trails Things to Do

Nearby Campsites

More Campsites Near Flat Laurel Creek:

Campsites

Embed Arena

Where do you plan to embed this code?

<script src="https://www.freearenas.com/embed/abbd31908"></script>

Copy
×
loading...

Edit Your Experience

Log Your Visit to This Location

We've logged that you went. Is there anything else you want to add?

Thank you for your review/comment

We've recorded your comments. Is there anything else you want to add?

By recording your visit on FreeArenas.com, you'll have a collection of all the great places you've been and provide valuable information for yourself and others in the future.

Have you been to this location?

/5
Cancel

Donate to the Cause

Help us inspire and inform every person to enjoy life and the great outdoors in a responsible way. There's a lot of ways to do this. Here's a few ways we're working on our mission right now: Providing information, Building and maintaining local trails, Helping and teaching kids to fix their bikes, Cleaning up local parks to provide safe and clean places to enjoy nature. Learn More

Update Review

/5

New Collection

Add an Arena

Just some quick info about this location to get started...