35 Bucket List by hdm1320
first prev 1 next lastMy husband and I moved to the area in 2018 and we’d like to explore all the beautiful places nearby.
Whaleback Swimming Hole
Asheville, North Carolina
26.3 miles SW of Asheville, North CarolinaMost people in this neck of the woods will head straight to Sliding Rock or Looking Glass Falls, but the locals go to Whaleback on the Davidson River above the fish hatchery. A massive slab of bedrock forms a horseshoe around a deep swimming hole. A small cascade tumbles into the green pool, which is surrounded by a lush hardwood forest. The pool—20 feet wide and twice as long—marks the spot where Cove Creek meets the Davidson River. Crowds are nonexistent during the week and minimal on weekends. Courtesy of blueridgeoutdoors.com
Daniel Ridge Falls
Brevard, North Carolina
4.8 miles NW of Brevard, North CarolinaThis waterfall in Pisgah National Forest near Brevard has multiple names: Tom's Spring Branch Falls, Daniel Ridge Falls and Jackson Falls. It’s an easy half-mile hike on the Daniel Ridge Trail to reach the base of this 150-ft. waterfall. As with many waterfalls, it’s most impressive after some decent rain. During summer dry spells, the flow is a tiny stream. You can either hike quick one-mile direct round-trip or the entire four-mile loop that includes the top of the waterfall. Courtesy of romanticasheville.com
Hickory Nut Falls
Chimney Rock, North Carolina
0.1 miles W of Chimney Rock, North CarolinaHickory Nut Falls is a breathtaking 404-foot waterfall — one of the tallest in the eastern United States — cascading down the cliffs of Chimney Rock State Park in the Hickory Nut Gorge of western North Carolina. Made famous as a backdrop in the 1992 film The Last of the Mohicans (the climactic fight was filmed at the brink of the falls), it's a showstopping natural landmark and the centerpiece of one of the state's most scenic parks.
The classic way to experience it is the Hickory Nut Falls Trail, a moderate walk of roughly 1.5 miles round trip that leads through the forest to the base of the towering cascade, where you can crane your neck up at the water plunging off the cliff. The park is also home to the iconic Chimney Rock monolith and its sweeping views over Lake Lure and the gorge.
A few important planning notes. The trail and falls are inside the privately operated portion of Chimney Rock State Park, which charges an admission fee and uses timed-entry reservations, so buy tickets in advance through the park. (You can also glimpse the falls for free from U.S. Highway 64 below.) Just as important: the Hickory Nut Gorge area was hit hard by Hurricane Helene in 2024, so access, roads, hours, and reservations have been in flux during recovery — always check the park's official current status and conditions before you go.
When open, spring and fall are especially beautiful, with strong water flow and mild weather. Wear sturdy shoes for the trail, bring water, stay behind railings and away from cliff edges, and pack out what you bring. A genuine natural wonder, Hickory Nut Falls is well worth the trip when the park is open and conditions allow.
North Mills River
Mills River, North Carolina
4.8 miles W of Mills River, North CarolinaNorth Mills River is a refreshing mountain playground in the Pisgah National Forest of western North Carolina, where the clear North Mills River winds through the forest just a short drive from Asheville and Hendersonville. With easy river access for tubing and swimming, miles of trails, and a riverside campground, it's a favorite warm-weather escape for families and outdoor lovers in the Blue Ridge.
The river is made for lazy summer fun. Gentle, kid-friendly stretches are perfect for tubing and splashing, with cool pools for a swim and easy access right from the recreation area. Anglers prize the North Mills for its trout fishing, while the surrounding national forest laces the area with excellent hiking and mountain-biking trails, several starting right from the campground.
The North Mills River Campground makes a comfortable basecamp: a relatively small, rustic forest campground with around 31 sites split into two loops on opposite sides of the river, each with a picnic table, fire ring, and tent pad, plus hot showers and flush toilets. It's open year-round, with full services from spring through mid-November and walk-up, limited-service camping in winter.
Summer is prime for tubing and swimming, while spring and fall bring milder hiking weather and beautiful color. Follow North Mills River Road into the forest from the Mills River area to reach it. Bring water shoes for the rocky riverbed, keep an eye on the current and depth after rain, and pack out everything you carry in. Close to Asheville yet wonderfully woodsy, North Mills River is one of the Pisgah's most easygoing river escapes — and a great launch point for nearby gems like Sliding Rock and Looking Glass Falls.
