Mingo Falls is undeniably one of the most enchanting and beautiful sites in the Smoky Mountains, but aside from the site's beauty, what makes it so special?
The History:
For many sites along the winding roads and peaks and valleys of the Smoky Mountains, unadulterated beauty is justification enough to appreciate any of the amazing sites the average visitor is going to see throughout their trip, but among these nameless peaks and valleys, there are sites like Mingo Falls, The Sinks, or Cades Cove with far more "real" significance. Whether this significance is historic like it is along the old mills and churches surrounding Cades Cove, or geographic, like the cascades of Mingo Falls, each wonder of the Smoky Mountains has merit and is worth your time. Although "Big Bear Falls" as it's known by the Cherokee is not officially a part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, its location sitting under an hour away from key Smokies sites like Clingmans Dome and connection to the park via Big Cove Road push Mingo Falls to the top of my must-see list for all new visitors to the Smokies.
That Cherokee connection to the falls I touched on earlier is incredibly significant to the history of Mingo, as its name and discovery are the results of Cherokee people living in the region for over a thousand years. Thankfully for today's modern visitor, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians have opened up their reservation to outsiders with no need for permits or forms, and have left Mingo Falls in pristine condition for the many years I've been visiting it, with the same logs, rocks, and vegetation in the same state it was years ago, and presumably, for many more than that. Unlike many other sites of modern eco-tourism, Mingo Falls is largely without tragedy, corporate exploitation, or drastic change to a once greater piece of the Earth. This unfortunately for other sites across the nation is another fairly unique trait in Mingo Falls' history, as there are so many natural wonders like this place that have likely been lost due to resource extraction, or human expansion. This pure visual and literal history of the falls makes Mingo an incredible example to me, of how important it is to preserve the natural wonders we see around us and make it a shared obligation to do so as long as we can.
That Cherokee connection to the falls I touched on earlier is incredibly significant to the history of Mingo, as its name and discovery are the results of Cherokee people living in the region for over a thousand years. Thankfully for today's modern visitor, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians have opened up their reservation to outsiders with no need for permits or forms, and have left Mingo Falls in pristine condition for the many years I've been visiting it, with the same logs, rocks, and vegetation in the same state it was years ago, and presumably, for many more than that. Unlike many other sites of modern eco-tourism, Mingo Falls is largely without tragedy, corporate exploitation, or drastic change to a once greater piece of the Earth. This unfortunately for other sites across the nation is another fairly unique trait in Mingo Falls' history, as there are so many natural wonders like this place that have likely been lost due to resource extraction, or human expansion. This pure visual and literal history of the falls makes Mingo an incredible example to me, of how important it is to preserve the natural wonders we see around us and make it a shared obligation to do so as long as we can.
The Falls of Today:
Moving forward on that topic of pure visuals though, I suppose it's time to tell you how to get to the falls yourself. Mingo Falls is further along Big Cove road, just across Raven Fork (River) at the junction of Welch Rd. and Sherril Cove Rd. Crossing over the bridge at this intersection, you should be met by a gravel lot and looming staircase that leads 0.4 miles straight to the falls ahead. You should be able to access the parking lot through most cell-phone GPS systems when searching for the "Mingo Falls Access Area", but in my personal experience, many maps services have listed Mingo Falls as permanently closed or non-existent, however, the falls are still open to the public, and very much alive. This stretch of stairs is decently steep but considered only moderate, and with smartly placed benches for a rest along the way. During my visit this past weekend, I passed several determined elderly hikers with canes and walkers, but not one was without a smile on their face. The path to Mingo Falls is by no means wheelchair accessible, but for anyone with mobility issues, I think that Mingo Falls is an excellent option to get the full experience of hiking the Smokies, with no trade-offs on the view at the top, which brings me to my last point, the falls!
Mingo Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in the Southern Appalachians, standing at a mesmerizing 120 feet tall, and earning its own National Parks Service article, despite being outside of the parks system. After you manage to trek the stairs and find yourself at the likely crowded wood bridge pictured below, you'll see an incredible maze of flowing falls and currents down towards Mingo Creek, and the parking lot. It's truly a sight you have to see for yourself, best observed during the fall after a heavy rain, but always worth the drive whenever you have the time in your schedule. I hope you can see Mingo before the end of this fall, and you enjoy it for as many years as I have.
Mingo Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in the Southern Appalachians, standing at a mesmerizing 120 feet tall, and earning its own National Parks Service article, despite being outside of the parks system. After you manage to trek the stairs and find yourself at the likely crowded wood bridge pictured below, you'll see an incredible maze of flowing falls and currents down towards Mingo Creek, and the parking lot. It's truly a sight you have to see for yourself, best observed during the fall after a heavy rain, but always worth the drive whenever you have the time in your schedule. I hope you can see Mingo before the end of this fall, and you enjoy it for as many years as I have.
