You Can Hike in Two States in One Day on This North Carolina Trail

We are entering the perfect time of year to be spending our weekends on the trail instead of on the couch. Soon, the trees will begin to grow their leaves, the wildflowers will be in bloom, and the days will be longer. I don’t consider myself an expert hiker by any means, and I try to pick trails that are relatively easy and won’t require any technical skills to complete. One of the reasons I love hiking in North Carolina is that there are an endless number of hiking trails here, and there’s always one that fits your abilities. I found a super cool trail combo that lets you hike two states at once in North Carolina and Tennessee. 

Trail Overview: Distance, Difficulty, and Scenic Highlights

There are plenty of cross-state hiking trails in Western North Carolina that weave through the mountains and extend into Tennessee. This five-mile route takes you from Elk River Falls in North Carolina to Jones Falls and Splash Dam Falls in Tennessee. The entire out-and-back trail has about 780 feet of elevation gain, which is perfect for a hobby hiker like myself.

Plus, you get to hike along the Appalachian Trail, which is a cool little nod to the roughly 3,000 thru-hikers who hike the entire trail every year. 

The hike begins at the Elk River Falls trail. There is a parking lot nearby, and the hike to the 50-foot waterfall is not even half a mile. I love a hiking trail that gets straight to the point when it comes to views, and this one certainly delivers! It’s an especially beautiful trail in the spring and summer when all of the rhododendrons are in bloom.

From here, you’ll follow the Elk River for a good chunk of time. Take in the sights and sounds of the running water and Mother Nature’s soundtrack of songbirds in the trees above. 

Shortly before crossing into Tennessee, you’ll see the signs to veer left to reach Jones Falls. Check out the AllTrails trail map to get a better idea of the full trail. 

These trails are well-marked, but it is important to note that you’ll undoubtedly see the devastation left behind by Hurricane Helene in 2024. The trails have been cleared of debris, but fallen trees throughout the forest remain.

If you thought the 50-foot Elk River Falls was impressive, Jones Falls will drop you to your knees. This 100-foot waterfall on the Tennessee/North Carolina border is an attention seeker in the best way, and simply mesmerizing to see during a full cascade. 

After you’ve admired Jones Falls, you’ll need to backtrack a bit to get back to the split, where you can meet up with the Elk River again and follow the trail to Splash Fam Falls. These falls are about 35 feet tall and equally as mesmerizing. Pull out your trusty sandwich and enjoy a lunch with a view before heading back to the car.

Best Time to Hike This North Carolina Trail for Weather and Views

I’m a big believer that there is beauty to be found year-round on these cross-state hiking trails. I love the calmness that winter brings, and I can’t get enough of how quiet the forest is when covered in a blanket of snow. 

Putting my own preferences aside, I think spring and summer are the best times to tackle this one. The snowmelt from the winter breathes new life into this region in the spring, and you’ll see all of the trees get their leaves back (which helps with shade!). If you tackle this trail in the spring and summer months, you’ll also get to enjoy the trail with all of its beautiful wildflowers in bloom! 

Of course, waterfall hikes are always going to shine in the spring when their cascades are extra powerful from those spring showers and snowmelt. I’m a big fan of spring hikes not only for this reason, but also for the temperatures. Spring tends to see more comfortable hiking conditions, and you won’t be subjected to those brutal summer temps, which can really make for an unpleasant hike. But hey! If you get overheated, you can always splash your face with the refreshing water from the Elk River to cool down. 

Regardless of what time of year you hike this trail, you’re in for an adventure. This is one of my favorite areas to explore, and if you want to start hitting the hiking trails, check out our compilation article covering the best places to hike in North Carolina. Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.