Hemlock Falls Trailhead — Attraction in Clayton

The waterfall is very pretty, but the trail needs some work on it. Very muddy trail. This is too commercial with way too many people to enjoy the trail. My wife and I are both avid hikers and even though there is no climbing or downhill along the trail, it is very treacherous with lots of roots to catch your feet and slippery rocks. You definitely must watch your footing not to slip. I definitely recommend a trekking pole to use as you hike to provide that extra layer of safety. There was a small bridge to cross and had a full sized copperhead on it and someone's dog almost stepped directly on it and would have surely been bitten except for the fact that it inadvertently kicked it off the bridge and into the water below, so there is that caution along the way too. There is a wadding area at the base of the fall, so if you survive the mile and a half out (easy but treacherous distance), you can always enjoy that. You have to drive down a one lane dirt road about a half mile to the very congested parking lot. You must find a place to pull to the side if you meet another vehicle coming towards you. We approached another vehicle coming the opposite direction and they would not give us any space, so we pulled as far as we could to the right side of this muddy dirt road and went into mud so we could not move. We had to get help to pull us out. With all the people going up and down this road to parking for this trail, they need to improve and widen this road for the traffic going up and down it. I almost only gave this one star, but since the actual waterfall was pretty, I gave it...

This trail is me and my kids favorite so far. We have went here 4 out of 10 trips because the trail is long enough for a good workout but short enough to survive with a 5 year old. It is a combination of easy and moderate hiking, which is great exercise for both adults and children. The swimming hole is amazing, but beware it is very cold and rocky to get into. We have had a lot of fun here and will continue to enjoy this trail and waterfall. On a side note, the area by the bridge can be very unsafe when going down the rocks to the water. My son tried rinsing his feet due to stepping in an ant hill by the edge of the water and was pulled in right above the small but dangerous whitewater waterfall. I was able to get him out, but it was not easy because the rocks were slippery and the current was strong. The water is moving very quickly so I do not suggest allowing children in the water by the bridge. Otherwise, be careful...

If you're looking for a not-too-challenging trail that is pleasant even in the hottest part of summer, this is it! This trail is entirely shaded, and it follows along the water for most of the way, which keep it reasonably cool even in when the heat and humidity soar. The wooded canopy and the sound of the nearby rushing water give it a magical atmosphere. For those worried about taking on too much, it is a relatively flat hike, the trail is well-maintained, and the distance to the falls is not extreme. The falls are beautiful, and the water is cold even in July, which makes it a great place to wade or do some cool/cold immersion on a hot summer day. It is fairly rocky at the water, so bringing water shoes is a good idea. Grab a leash, and you can also bring your dog. This is one of my, if not my very, favorite trails for good reason, so come...