Flat Laurel Creek Trailhead

"Popular, parking hard"

"Great lesser traveled trail. Lots of amazing campsites along the way. Water to cross, creek to cool off in. Muddy but easy elevation."

"One of the best trails in Western North Carolina. If you are hiking, I would recommend you skip Black Balsam parking and head down 215. If you are coming from Asheville, it will be the next road on your right after Black Balsam parking on the Parkway. Head down 215 towards Canton for a few hundred yards, you will pass Mountain To Sea trail which is the white blaze and then you will see a turn out for camping sites. I suggest just pulling off the road here and hiking in. Just follow the short dirt road through the campsites for a bit, and it will turn into flat Laurel Creek Trail. The hike will be an easy uphill climb, and on the way back will be all downhill. If you are camping park at Balsam, your car will be safer overnight, and the hike is all downhill. The limited camping sites here are also fantastic and could support a small group with no issues. A hammock will not be a problem here as you will be camping in a forest with plenty of mature trees. There are campsites right on the creek that even have small waterfalls and swimming holes. If you are looking for wildlife if you likely see a variety of birds and small mammals along with plenty of aquatic life such as fish and salamanders. The plants are the real show in early spring or in mid-June when the Flame Azaleas, Mountain Laurel, and Rhododendron are at peak bloom. Later in the summer, you can enjoy wild berries, including Blue Berries! Other highlights include multiple waterfalls and a variety of ecosystems that you pass through on the hike. Enjoy the deciduous rain forest, high mountain bogs, balsam forest, and grassy balds all in one hike! Make sure to try some of the side trails like Sam Knob"

"Overgrown, but beautiful!."