Check out Soco Falls in western North Carolina

Looking for a stunning waterfall with little effort to visit? In that case, you will be hard-pressed to find anything better than Soco Falls in western North Carolina.

The beautiful double waterfall is about 25 minutes from Great Smoky Mountain National Park along NC Highway 19, directly between Cherokee and Maggie Valley, about 10 and 5 miles, respectively.

The small parking lot is easy to miss, so keep an eye peeled for the small blue “Soco Falls” sign. Walking down to the viewing platform only takes a few minutes, but the well-worn path is steep and may be washed away in a few places here and there. So be careful and keep a close eye on any children.

The 120-foot falls are best visited in the late fall or winter when leaves are not blocking part of the view. There is a steep trail down to the base of the falls, but be super careful. It can be treacherous and very slippery.

Legend of Soco Falls

According to Cherokee folklore, the falls got its name when Cherokee warriors tossed one of ,Spanish explorer and conquistador, Hernando De Soto’s men from the top of the falls. As he fell, he is said to have screamed, “Soco!”

If you are camping in the Great Smoky Mountains or staying in a nearby town, Soco Falls is well worth the stop. If you have time, take the Blue Ridge Parkway to get close to the falls.