Posted in North Carolina Nature September 05, 2021 by

The Horseback Waterfall Tour In North Carolina That’s Simply Unforgettable

Western North Carolina is home to waterfalls galore – many of which are accessible via trails on public lands, including within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And what better way to experience some waterfalls within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (on the North Carolina side) than on a guided horseback waterfall tour? Sounds perfect, doesn’t it? Let’s go chase some waterfalls in North Carolina on horseback, shall we?

During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
Smokemont Riding Stable in Cherokee offers two different horseback waterfall tours and they are as magical as they sound.
Chiang Cheng Ju/Google
You won't need to be an experienced equestrian to take part in this awesome tour, either. Just make a reservation in advance, then show up ready to ride.
Before the tour starts, your friendly and experienced tour guide will go over a few of the essentials of horseback riding with you.
Samantha Barry/Google
You'll learn a few of the basics about mounting, and maintaining control of your new best (four-legged) friend, and then...
You'll get paired with a skilled and competent friendly trail horse for the excursion.
Kristin Wieland/Google
The two waterfall tours vary in length, with one of them lasting 2.5 hours and the other lasting 4 hours. The one you choose will determine which waterfalls you'll see.
There are a number of beautiful falls along the trail, including falls that cascade down the hillside, and more horizontal cascades within mountain creeks.
Smokemont Riding Stable
But waterfalls won't be the ONLY water feature you'll get acquainted with on the tour.
Jason Potts/Google
You may need to duck to clear the tunnel on the trail...
But don't worry, it's not a long tunnel and most people don't come anywhere near reaching the top.
Lisa Murphy/Google
You may be pleasantly surprised to see how relaxed your horse companion is when it comes to traversing the many shallow streams and water crossings on this tour. These horses are pros!
And you soon will be too!
Smokemont Riding Stable/Facebook
Will your waterfall tour include crossing over this bridge — on a horse?? Or will you opt to cross the creek in the water? The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a wondrous place to explore with incredible discoveries awaiting at every turn.
And this waterfall tour in North Carolina is a sure bet for discovering some of the best kept hidden secrets via horseback!
Jenna McGonagle/Google

Wow — what a unique and enchanting North Carolina day trip! Are you ready to book a tour asap? So are we! Learn more on the official website of Smokemont Riding Stables, and be sure to follow their Facebook page here.

Wondering about more waterfall adventures in the Tar Heel State? Before you ask Siri “what are some waterfalls near me in North Carolina?” check out this guide to 19 (yes — 19! North Carolina is a waterfall lover’s paradise!) of our very favorite falls in the state! No go chase some glorious North Carolina waterfalls.

Address: 135 Smokemont Riding Stables Rd, Cherokee, NC 28719, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center

waterfalls near me in North Carolina

September 10, 2021
Sarah

How can I learn about waterfalls near me in North Carolina?

Right here — at Only In North Carolina! We’re nothing if not a bunch of romantic waterfall chasers here, and we just love featuring our favorites on the website. Check out this roundup of 19 of our favorite falls in the state; notable destinations on this list include Looking Glass Falls, Turtleback Falls, High Falls, Cathedral Falls, and High Shoals Falls.

Are there any walk-behind waterfalls in North Carolina?

There’s nothing quite like walking behind a rushing waterfall — seeing the cascades up-close, getting splashed with fresh, cold water as you admire the fluid, flowing curtain right before your eyes. It’s magical, and something every waterfall chaser needs to have on their bucket list! In North Carolina, one of our favorite places to experience this natural wonder is Dry Falls in the Highlands Region of North Carolina. The inspiration behind the name of this iconic waterfall is the fact that visitors can walk behind the 75-foot falls without ever getting wet! You can read all about this glorious waterfall in this article.

What are the best waterfall hikes in North Carolina?

Waterfall hikes bring together the best of both worlds: North Carolina’s famous waterfalls and its amazingly scenic trails. If you’re curious to explore some of the Old North State’s best waterfall trails, we suggest first checking out this guide. One of our favorite waterfall hikes on the list is Lower Cascade Falls at Hanging Rock State Park. Here’s why: it’s less than a half mile hike on the Lower Cascades Trail, and the waterfall is encompassed within a unique rock formation. During the warmer months, the pool of the fall is actually perfect for wading or little swimmers to play and splash, which is super refreshing on a hot day in North Carolina! After your hike, if you feel so daring, climb to the top of Hanging Rock for stunning views of the Piedmont. It will be hard to believe you’re actually not in the mountains for this one. This isn’t just a waterfall hike; it’s an entire day trip adventure in North Carolina!

Address: 135 Smokemont Riding Stables Rd, Cherokee, NC 28719, USA