Our move to Asheville, North Carolina has been very exciting but extremely overwhelming at the same time. It is hard to find time to just chill and appreciate the mountains but I have decided we HAVE to make the time. One of the first places we went to is this little gem called Looking Glass Falls in the majestic Pisagh National Forest (pronounced PIZZ-guh). It is so much fun exploring a new town but when you can find a natural wonder like this waterfall then you hit the jackpot!
Accessibility
Looking Glass Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in the area because you can access it directly from Highway 276. This highway through the forest is like a different dimension where humans do not exist - a far departure from the hustle and bustle of downtown Asheville.There is a paved platform, right next to parking, where handicap visitors can view the waterfall and surrounding vegetation. There is a staircase that takes you down closer to the waterfall. It can become quite busy so I would suggest going early in the morning if you want to avoid all the "tourists". There are 2 platforms where people like to take pictures and once you get to the bottom you can either enjoy the falls from the pavement or you can head down into the river to do some exploring. Going barefoot is the best option as the rocks are super slippery.
Explore The Area
The first time we were there we climbed over the railing and found a perfect area downstream with a small sandy beach. We could still see and hear the falls but it was private and the boys had a nice play area. (The water right below the waterfall is a bit rough and too deep for small kids. It looks a bit dangerous to me.)
The boys really enjoyed throwing rocks and sand while I watched the waterfall and soaked in the tropical surroundings. The water was frigid both times we were there (June-July). There is vast vegetation on either side of the river with different species of tiny plants growing everywhere. It definitely reminded us of the rain forest in Panama. We found a small cave by the sandy beach where we huddled together when it started to rain. The kids thought it was the coolest thing!
Looking Glass Falls is next to Sliding Rock, the widely popular natural water slide. It is gigantic and looks like a lot of fun. The kids are too small but once they are older I am sure this will be a hot spot for us. There are other waterfalls in the surrounding area if you want to make a day of it. Checkout this map of Pisagh National Forest with all the waterfalls and attractions labeled.