Beating The Summer's Heat At Sliding Rock

With temperatures reaching the nineties, Sliding Rock is packed with visitors.

June 9, 2008

COUNTY NC TRAVEL NEWS -- With temperatures reaching the nineties in Transylvania County, Sliding Rock is packed with visitors. Located in the Pigsah National Forest, between Brevard and Big East Fork, along Highway 276, is a swimming hole on Looking Glass Creek, known as Sliding Rock, a natural 60-foot water slide.

Riding the slide is a breath taking experience, especially, when you are reach the six foot deep pool at the bottom. The cold mountain spring fed waters of Looking Glass Creek flow at approximately 11,000 gallons of per minute washing away, everything in its path, including the summer's heat.

Over the years, Sliding Rock's attraction has been so great that the U.S. Forest Service decided to fund major improvements to include restrooms, a shower house, two observation decks, steps down to the pool, and a large parking lot. Additionally, the U.S. Forest Service, installed a chain handrail to aid visitors climbing the back to the top of the natural water slide, hence, providing some safeguards on the otherwise treacherously slippery rock.

Lifeguards are also stationed at Sliding Rock from Memorial Day through Labor Day between 10:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.. The ride lasts less than two minute and cutoff jeans are recommended because the rock will rip the seat off the average bathing suit. Furthermore, camping and picnic sites, as well as the scenic Looking Glass Falls are within a few minutes from the natural water slide. Also, the Mount Pisgah hiking trail is close by, so hikers routinely visit the slide to cool off after a hike.

Finally, Sliding Rock is also 9 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway and is well worth visiting if traveling the scenic highway. Parking cost's $1.00 and there is a charge of $1 per person to visit Sliding Rock, and no alcoholic beverages are allowed at Sliding Rock. Therefore, this is truly an inexpensive vacation spot to enjoy in North Carolina!