Roan Mountain

Elk River Falls and Jones Falls

    Ok, these falls are actually in Elk Park, NC, but since it is just barely over the NC line, I wanted you to have a TN reference point.  Elk River Falls are fairly easy to and is only about 0.2 of a mile - which is also why it is so crowded on the weekends.  You do have to climb down a little to get to the falls and walk across some large rocks. It's a great place to play in the water, especially down stream a little bit.  The falls themselves are quite dangerous because of the currents it produces.  There are great rocks to sit on and enjoy lunch and the falls.

From the same trail, you can continue on to hike to Jones Falls.  This is not a difficult hike and will be about 3 miles roundtrip.  There is one creek crossing that can be a little tricky.  You can walk across the fallen tree or walk up just a little bit and cross that way, which is what I usually do.  The other part that you need to be aware of is when the trail forks - you can go right and go to Splash Dam Falls, which I haven't made it to yet and it extends the hike to just over 5 miles if you include it, but to continue to Jones Falls you will need to take the left.