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Toms Creek Falls
Toms creek falls.jpg
Toms Creek Falls
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Location Pisgah National Forest, McDowell County, in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina
Coordinates 35°46′39″N 82°03′45″W / 35.777575°N 82.062420°W / 35.777575; -82.062420
Type Cascade
Total height 60 ft (18.3 m)
Number of drops 3
Longest drop 30 ft (9.1 m)

Toms Creek Falls is a beautiful waterfall found in the Pisgah National Forest in McDowell County, North Carolina. It's located close to the town of Marion, making it a popular spot for visitors. This amazing waterfall is about 60 feet (18 meters) tall and features water cascading down in several steps.

How Toms Creek Falls Was Formed

Toms Creek Falls is 60 feet tall, which is like a six-story building! The water from Toms Creek flows over different levels of rock. First, it goes over a few smaller, step-like sections. Then, it drops almost straight down in a bigger section.

At the very bottom, the water lands in a small, curved area in the rocks. This creates a wide, flat pool where the water collects. If you look closely at the rocks around the waterfall, especially in the gully, you might see lots of shiny mica. Mica is a type of mineral that sparkles in the light.

Visiting Toms Creek Falls

Visiting Toms Creek Falls is an exciting adventure! To get there from Marion, you'll start at the main intersection of US 221 and US 70. Drive north on US 221 for about 5.6 miles.

Next, turn left onto Huskins Branch Road. Drive for about 1.2 miles until you see a small parking area. This parking spot is just before a bridge that crosses Toms Creek.

From the parking lot, you'll follow a trail for about 0.4 miles. This trail is considered moderately difficult, so be ready for a bit of a hike! Near the end, there's a short, moderately steep climb. You'll then need to carefully make your way down to the base of the falls. Good news: there's now a bridge over the creek, so you won't need to cross the water directly.

Other Waterfalls Nearby

If you love waterfalls, there are other cool ones to explore not too far from Toms Creek Falls:

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