Laurel River Trailhead — Attraction in Hot Springs

The Laurel Creek trailhead is located in Marshall, North Carolina, traveling along Route 25, about 20 miles north of Asheville. Immediately before reaching the intersection of Route 209, you will find an ample parking area for vehicles on your left.

The Laurel Creek Trail runs south along Big Laurel Creek and terminates along the French Broad River close to Hot Springs. On the day of our trip, our group hiked about 1 1/2 miles along the flats adjacent to the creek. The walking path is level in elevation but contains many small river rocks and tree roots along the way, so you need to watch your footing. Our party passed very few hikers along the trail, and we had ample time to enjoy the serenity and beauty of the swift-flowing water. Big Laurel Creek provided us with many opportunities to take scenic pictures while enjoying beautiful views of the water, wildflowers, rhododendrons, etc.

If you are an avid hiking enthusiast or just long to get away from your hectic daily life, then a trip to Laurel Creek may provide you with a well-earned day of mental and physical...

This is my new favorite place to hike. As soon as we started down the trail I felt like I was in a nature show… a great blue heron stood in the river looking for fish, a flock of mergansers burst into flight from the reeds, and a hummingbird hovered around in the jewel weed. Amazing views everywhere. The trail itself was shady, mostly all beneath the tree canopy, rocky and rooty in some spots, but overall easy to manage. Not much elevation change since it follows the river, and there were frequent side trails leading down to the river where you can climb around on the rocks. My dog and I loved it! Can’t wait to go again in a month or so when the fall...

We had a great hike! We went about 2.5 miles in then turned around due to having to get back home for reservations. I would recommend good shoes, the trail has lots of rocks and such. A bathing suit or at least a change of clothes, the trail has a ton of great cooling of swim spots, bug spray, and snacks and water. We brought our dog and everyone else with dogs had well behaved ones too so it made it easy. I wouldn’t recommend strollers or persons with disabilities take the trail due to the rocks and roots. There was one part of the trail with a big rock you couldn’t just roll over. There are two camping spots we saw on...