The Cherokee National Forest and Appalachian Mountains abound with waterfalls of all shapes and sizes. Waterfalls in Carter and Johnson County include: Blue Hole - Four waterfalls make up the area called Blue Hole and are fairly easy to access from the parking area. The swimming hole is approximately 40ft by 30 ft, small but seldom crowded. Backbone Rock and Falls - Located off of Highway 133 near Damascus, VA and Shady Valley, TN, the falls are fairly easy to access from a parking area near Backbone Rock. The falls end in a shallow swimming / play area. Laurel Fork Trail and Falls - Located appoximately 1 1/2 miles from the parking area on US321/TN67 in Hampton, the scenic trail winds along Laurel Fork Creek to the falls with several swimming areas along the way at the falls. This is an up hill climb and requires good hiking shoes. Elk Falls - Located just inside the NC/TN border on US19E in Elk Park the waterfall is easy to find. During wet season the high volume of water drops almost vertically over 50 feet into a huge pool. The is quite scenic surrounded by massive rock bluffs. Gentry Falls - Located near Mountain City and Laurel Bloomery the falls are remote off of dirt and narrow roads. Great for trail hiking crossing Gentry Creek a number of times using four log bridges. There are actually 2 different falls approximately 30 feet each. Twisting Falls - Located in the Poga area of Johnson County, the falls are quite impressive with swimming holes at the top and bottom. Sliding off a rock outcropping at the top, water plunges 30 feet to the pool below. Cliff jumping is popular at the falls with jumping from heights or 10 - 30 feet.
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Waterfalls Near Watauga Lake