Jump Off Rock — Attraction in Laurel Park

As an introvert who is not fully afraid of heights (there is a limit), this is the perfect place to be early in the morning. It was a beautiful day, lots of sun, but chilly. In November, it is a great idea to take a jacket and gloves. I had the place to myself, which was awesome. I didn't hike the trails, but I am guessing it would be lovely to do so.

If you own a nice camera that takes awesome shots, bring it with you. I used my cell phone, but wished I had a good camera. Cell phones do not do justice to the awesome beauty.

The road is narrow, 20-25 miles per hour. Trust, you will not really want to drive any faster. I love the mountains, but I would not live up there. The houses on the side of the mountain, man, that is crazy. That is the limit I spoke about at the beginning of my post. Not living up there.

Otherwise, it is worth the drive if 3,100 feet above sea level doesn't disturb you. Just beautiful is all I can say. Makes me know that someone more powerful than human beings created this earth. It did not just show up out of the blue. Thought...

Jump Off Rock is located just five miles from downtown Hendersonsville.  It's open all year, sunrise to sunset, and located in the town of Laurel Park. Admission is free.

After you take a curvy mountain road up to the 3,100-foot summit, you'll find a small park with a stone overlook, benches and several short hiking trails. It's a short, level walk to the view, so a great place for those with mobility issues to enjoy similar summit views that hikers enjoy. A sign helps you identify mountain peaks like Mt. Pisgah and Cold Mountain. I'm told it's a popular place to watch the sunset.

It's certainly a romantic view, complete with a tragic legend of a young Cherokee Indian maiden receiving word that her young Indian chief had been killed in battle. So she climbed to the edge of the rock and jumped off. On moonlit nights you can supposedly see her ghost on rock. I tried to get my wife to do what the sign ( and legend ) said...but she replied, "You first!" Hahahahahaha! 😂

Head's up: There are no restroom facilities here,...

Beautiful local spot who’s location and legacy is owned by the town of Laurel Park. We enjoyed a portion of our Sunday afternoon here. The amount of broken bottle glass, rusty beer cans and fading graffiti on the paths and caves are disheartening. If you must drink, do it at home or at the local bar. If you feel the need to paint useless graffiti, start with the front of your own house or your car. The council of Laurel Park should erect cameras and a 10 foot iron, magnetic locked fence and gate system for after 8pm daily; accessed only by the Laurel Park police. We like to blame tourists for the deterioration of our outdoor sites and landmarks. I doubt very much that tourists are leaving the broken bottles, beer cans and graffiti. We need to look in our own back yard for the fault. Love Jump Off Rock and ALL of our NC beautiful spots! Let’s take great care of them. Thank you...