Toms Creek Falls

Height: 65 feet
Trail Type: Dirt
Hike Distance: 0.8 miles round trip
Difficulty: 3
Beauty: 7

Overview:

Toms Creek Falls is relatively unknown, which is pretty remarkable considering how close it is to Marion and how easily accessible it is. The falls looks like it’s in two or three distinct sections, but there’s no way to get any closer from the base to see each section. Not that it matters because you can see the whole thing from the base.

There used to be an old mica mine at the base of the falls, and you can still see tiny, sparkly specks of mica in the creek bed if you look close enough. The forest service in recent years put a barrier in front of the old mine entrance to prevent morons from getting lost.

Directions:

From Exit 85 off of Interstate 40 in Marion, head north on US 221. Drive about 12.5 miles and turn left at Huskins Branch Road at the old Woodlawn Motel. The road, strangely, turns to gravel for about a tenth of a mile and returns to pavement. Regardless, take this road for 1.3 miles to the parking area on the right.

Hike Description:

The trail has been improved a couple of times by the forest service to make it more accessible to people with disabilities. It’s probably not wheelchair friendly, but even most people can take this trail as long as you’re moderately mobile. There’s a big, wide observation deck at the base of the falls, but if you’re even remotely coordinated, you can hop a couple of rocks and get closer.