Carter County, TN

Carter County

Laurel Fork Falls - Hampton, TN

    There are 2 trails you can use to access Laurel Fork Falls.  I have only been to one of them - we park at Dennis Cove and hike in that way, which is about 2.5 miles roundtrip.  I love this trail because of the trees and rocks and it's easy until you get to the rock steps you have to take to the bottom.  It's not bad in cooler weather, but you still want to make sure that you pack plenty of water!!  The other trail is about 5.5 miles roundtrip and you park in Hampton at the Laurel Falls Trail #501.

Coon Den Falls - Hampton, TN

    Just past the parking lot for Laurel Fork is parking for Coon Den Falls.  This can be a loop trail, but we just hiked in and out the same way.  This is a moderate trail and is about 1.5 miles roundtrip (unless you do the loop, which I think is more like 3.5 miles).  

Blue Hole - Elizabethton, TN

    We love Blue Hole and have taken several friends here because it is such a short "hike" and is so pretty!  There are considered to be 4 sets of falls and my favorite is the one that sets back in the little cove.  Lots of people swim here and I've even seen some jump off the cliff into the pool - which I wouldn't recommend, but it's still a popular thing to do.  The downside to these falls is there is ALWAYS people here - so try to go during the week if possible or in the morning on weekends.  Even though it is just over .25 miles, it can be a challenging trail if you have limited mobility.  There are roots you walk down, like little steps at the beginning and then a few steep stairs you have to walk down to the lower falls.