Tips and Tricks for a Safe and Fun Trip to Sliding Rock NC

Tips for Sliding Rock before going!

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Sliding Rock has become a popular spot for many families and friends to cool down during the summer. Sliders take turns riding the freezing cold water down the 60-foot flat boulder splashing in an eight-foot deep pool of water fueled by 11,000 gallons of water.

• Hours, Location, and Admission
• Tips for Sliding Rock
• Places to Stay: Camping Sites, Cabins, and Hotels
• Waterfalls, Hiking Trails, and Picnic Areas Nearby

Hours, Location, and Admission

Hours

Lifeguards are on duty & restrooms/changing rooms are available from 10 AM - 6 PM on these dates:

• April 30 - May 7 | Saturdays and Sundays
• May 7 - September 30 | 7 days a week
• October 1 - 31 | Saturdays and Sundays

Off-season:

• Open year-round, no lifeguards during the off-season
• No fee's
• Restrooms/changing room closed
• "Enjoy at your own risk"

Location

• 7851 Pisgah Highway Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
• Cell service is limited!
• Driving directions at the end of the page

Admission/Parking Area

• $4 fee per person during the spring and summer months when lifeguards are on duty (see dates above)
• Cash and credit cards are accepted
• Limited parking, if it is filled you may be directed to visit other nearby areas and return later.
• Peak visiting hours to avoid: 12-4 PM

Tips for Visiting Sliding Rock

• Must know how to swim! The pool at the end is about 8 feet deep
• Life jackets/puddle jumpers are allowed
• No alcohol or picnicking allowed
• Pets must be on a leash
• There are several areas to watch other sliders (without getting wet)
• Children under 7 years must slide with an adult
• Water shoes are a great idea
• Sliding Rock water temperature: 50-60 degrees
• Reminder: It is a 8 foot deep pool

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Places to Stay: Camping Sites, Cabins, and Hotels

Camping Sites

• Davidson River Campground (12 minutes away, 6.9 miles)
• Cove Creek Group Campground (11 minutes away, 6.8 miles)
• Mount Pisgah Campground (20 minutes away, 10.8 miles)

Cabins

• Ash Grove Mountain Cabins & Camping (31 minutes away, 19.2 miles)
• Pilot Cove (15 minutes away, 8.3 miles)
• The Cabins at Seven Foxes (45 minutes away, 30.2 miles)

Hotels

• Hampton Inn Brevard (15 minutes away, 8.1 miles)
• Comfort Inn & Suites (16 minutes away, 9.9 miles)
• Mountain Inn & Suites Flat Rock (45 minutes away, 30 miles)

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What to do Nearby: Waterfalls, Hiking, and Picnic Areas

Located off hours, along the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway in Pisgah National Forest, Sliding Rock has many other locations to visit nearby!

Waterfalls

A few amazing waterfalls near Sliding Rock!

• Looking Glass Falls: A 60-ft waterfall in Pisgah National Forest along the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway! You can take the steps down and get even closer to it!
• Daniel Ridge Falls: A 150-foot waterfall a few miles away from Sliding Rock!
• Moore Cove Falls: This 50-foot waterfall is located near Looking Glass Falls with an easy hike along the way (1.5 miles roundtrip)!

Hiking

A few fun hiking trails near Sliding Rock!

• Cradle of Forestry: Check out restored buildings from the early 1900s, a 2-mile loop.
• Pink Beds: A well-known hiking spot and the perfect picnic spot! A 5-mile loop hike with some uphill areas and plenty of shade.
• Looking Glass Rock Trailhead: A 6.20-mile hike (average of 3 hours 41 minutes) to the top of Looking Glass Rock.

Picnic Areas

Alcohol and picnicking are not allowed at Sliding Rock Recreation Area, these are a few other extremely popular picnic areas near Sliding Rock!

• Nearby Pink Beds Picnic Area: A great place to stop for a picnic with plenty of space and parking (4 miles away).
• Sycamore Flats Recreational Area: A great location to stop for a picnic, hiking, and even fishing! (7.3 miles away).
• Multiple riverside tables along US 276.

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Driving directions: From Asheville, 38 miles from downtown, drive I-26 East to Exit 40 for Highway 280. Then take a right onto Highway 280 West, and go 16 miles toward Brevard. Once entering Brevard, look for a large shopping center on the right. Pass through the center, and turn right onto US Highway 276 North, Forest Heritage Science Byway, to enter the Pisgah National Forest. Continue for 7.6 miles to a parking lot and area on the left. From the Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 412, take US 276 South for about 7.5 miles.

In conclusion, Sliding Rock is a well-known natural water slide that provides a fun and refreshing experience for groups of friends and family during the summer. It is located in the Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina. It's important to be aware of the opening times, location, and entry price before going. Additionally, it's important to remember the safety guidelines and advice, such as knowing how to swim, wearing water shoes, and only sliding in specified places. Visitors may explore local waterfalls, hiking trails, and picnic areas, and there are several lodging options nearby, including hotels, cottages, and campgrounds.