The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has more than 2,900 miles of streams as well as some amazing swimming holes! One spot you might have heard of is Midnight Hole, but do you know where it’s located? Keep reading to learn more about this Smoky Mountain hidden gem and how to find Midnight Hole on the Big Creek Trail:
Midnight Hole: Best Swimming Spot in the Smokies!
Midnight Hole is a great swimming spot located on Big Creek Trail near the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. The best time to visit is in the summer months when you can take a swim in order to beat the heat! Relax and clear your mind as you float on your back and look up at the trees! Plan to spend several hours hiking and swimming; plus, you’re going to be hungry after being in the water, so bring a picnic or, at the very last, some snacks and plenty of water. The area also features lots of beautiful wildflowers during the spring and summer. As for animals, you’ll probably be able to spot a salamander near the water! After all, the Smokies are deemed the “Salamander Capital of the World!”
Hiking to Midnight Hole in the Smoky Mountains
To reach the Big Creek trailhead from Gatlinburg, head west on I-40 toward Asheville until you reach exit 451 to Waterville Road. Turn left at the bottom of the exit ramp. Continue on this road until you cross the Pigeon River and turn left. Waterville Road will turn into Big Creek Road, where you will enter the national park. Big Creek Road will end at the parking lot for the trail. Make sure to get a Smoky Mountain parking tag for your vehicle before you begin your adventure!
Big Creek Trail follows an old railroad grade that was built in the 1900s; later, the land was converted into a trail by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. At 1.5 miles from the trailhead, look for a tree to your right that will have a white circle painted on it. Midnight Hole will be to the left. The 6-foot waterfall between two large rocks rushes down into a green pool, a tranquil swimming spot in the Smokies you have to experience.
Other Interesting Things to See on the Big Creek Trail
The Midnight Hole isn’t the only stunning feature on this route! Mouse Creek Falls is just a half-mile from the swimming hole! On your way to the falls, you’ll see a hitching post. Riding on horseback was a form of transportation for settlers, and they used hitching posts to keep their horses from wandering away. Go past the hitching post to reach a viewing area for Mouse Creek Falls. This is a 45-foot waterfall that has multiple tiers. This is a fantastic area to take memorable photos in front of the stunning waterfall!
Now you know how to find Midnight Hole on the Big Creek Trail, one of the national park’s hidden gems! Want even more recommendations of undiscovered places to explore? Check out these underrated hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains!
