Mingo Falls

Mingo Falls in Smoky Mountains 

Mingo Falls is on the Cherokee Indian Reservation (Qualla Boundary), just outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. No special permits are required for access to the reservation. At 120 feet tall, the waterfall is one of the tallest and most spectacular in the southern Appalachians. 

 The hike to the waterfall is only 0.4 miles in length, but is considered moderate in difficulty. The trail name is Pigeon Creek Trail.

Access Trail: Pigeon Creek Trail

Trailhead: From Oconaluftee Visitor Center, drive south (toward Cherokee) on US-441 and take the second left onto Big Cove Road. At the first stop sign turn left and drive 4.5 miles to Mingo Falls Campground, where the trail begins. The trail to the falls is only 0.4 mile, but heads up about 150 stairs, levels off and ends at a small wooden bridge that crosses Mingo Creek in front of the falls.