Elk River Falls and Jones Falls: Just outside of Roan Mountain, TN.
"Easy close" and/or "harder far" depending on your ambition and people that day.
"Easy close" and/or "harder far" depending on your ambition and people that day.
The Hike: Elk River Falls. If you want to bring on some mother nature without a whole heck of a lot of effort, Elk River Falls is the ticket. The parking lot is a few easy, paved miles off 19E just past Roan Mountain. From the lot, there is an obvious trail head that climbs up (check out the falls from the top) and then down about 1/4 mile so you can see the falls from the bottom as in the photo here. This is a great hike for really little ones (birth to 5) who can be carried or supported to the bottom and then let loose on a large sandbar to play. Elk River Falls is the thundering "Niagara" style falls that makes for a great photo.
The Hike: Jones Falls. If you are prepared to do some hiking, visit Elk River Falls, then go on another 1.5 miles to Jones Falls. Yes! We love the name of this place! This is a beautiful hike with varied terrain, some climbing and sure enough, a really tall waterfall at its endpoint that sprays water out into the open like a fountain. Unlike Elk River, Jones Falls does not have great photo ops or picnic spots. (We didn't know that and had a packed lunch which we enjoyed anyway, spread out on rocks along the falls.) It is a high alert kind of spot in terms of child-monitoring, with slick rocks and no real, level, "vista" of the falls. Still, it is sure to deliver on solitude, overall beauty along the way, and a sense you've been somewhere off the beaten path. From the parking lot, walk as if you are headed to Elk River Falls, but stay left at the Y. Follow the forest service road for 3/4 of a mile until it reaches the river. Go left (don't cross the river) and you'll find a narrow trail that follows along the river. Take this for about 1/4 mile until you come to a small campsite and then look for where the trail crosses a small stream (which is actually Jones Branch) and then begins to climb. This was the trickiest part for us - lots of downed trees. Follow this and you'll very quickly come to the Appalachian Trail (you'll know it's the AT when you see the white slashes on the trees). Turn left onto the AT and hike approximately 1 mile. Then, be on the lookout for a spur trail that will lead you to the falls (an old sign was torn down so you have to listen and pay attention, but this spur is only 1/10 of a mile to the falls so you are close!)
Directions. Head toward Elilzabethon and grab 19E to Elk Park, NC (just over the border from Roan Mountain, TN), turn north onto Old Mill Road, and after 1/4 mi. turn north again onto Elk River Road. There are signs pointing the way. Take this for approx. 4 miles until the road dead ends at the falls.