Sliding Rock in Pisgah National Forest NC (2024)

FAQs

Is sliding rock worth it? ›

Kids and adults enjoyed this wet and fun experience sliding down the rock water fall. Cost $5 per person, but well worth the experience. Lifeguard on duty. Go early as parking lot does fill up and line gets long, but does move rather fast.

A daily fee $5 per person. Cash and credit cards accepted. Restrictions: No Alcohol or Picnicking Permitted.

The rock has long been used as a natural water slide for adventurous tourists and locals. The water is very cold, approximately 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and is popular for cooling off in the summer.

There was still a lot of parking. There is a restroom with a changing area before you head down to the falls.

1 - 2 hours. We didn't slide (not warm enough), but we hiked both sides of the river and rock-hopped across it several times.

Slide Rock Route: This is a 0.3-mile trail with a difficulty rating of moderate. This primitive route along Oak Creek is the main access to the Slide Rock Swim Area.

The pool at the bottom of the falls is eight feet deep. So you must know how to swim! Children under 7 years must slide with an adult. Life jackets and children's puddle jumpers are the only flotation devices allowed.

Check out this 0.3-mile out-and-back trail near Pisgah Forest, North Carolina. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 7 min to complete. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and walking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.

Things to know before you go

Swim and slide at your own risk. Wear water shoes for a better grip on the slick rock. Two ADA-accessible restrooms with flush toilets are located above the creek. The vault toilet near the creek is not ADA accessible.

Can you swim in sliding rock? ›

Slide Rock includes a 1/2 mile of Oak Creek that is open for swimming, wading and sliding. The world-famous slide that our park is named for is an 80 foot-long slippery chute that is worn into sandstone.

Please also remember to bring plenty of drinking water and sunscreen to the park and use them appropriately during your visit. Shoes are also recommended to help with your grip when navigating the slippery, algae covered sandstone.

Bring snacks and water if you are planning to stay a while because depending on the time of year you're traveling the little stores at the entrance of the park may/may not be open. PLEASE, wear water shoes with good grip if you are planning on going into the water because the algae make the area EXTREMELY slippery.

Even if you just do a small part of this trail it's worth it. We walked down for an hour then came back - the closer you get to the cinder cones the more colour you can see in the crater. It's an easy descent but much harder coming back up as it's sandy and the ground shifts under your feet.

From November to February, entrance tickets cost $10 per car; from the Tuesday after Labor Day to Oct. 31 and March 1 to the Thursday before Memorial Day, entrance costs $20 per car; from the Friday before Memorial Day to Labor Day, vehicle entrance fees range from $20 to $30, depending on if it's a weekday or weekend.

Plenty of places to enjoy the water safely

To aid people in their summertime pursuit of happiness, the U.S. Forest Service maintains designated areas for getting wet with the relative safety of lifeguards, including Sliding Rock near Brevard and Lake Powhatan in Bent Creek Experimental Forest.