Jackie Steffan — 4 miles — 2 hours — Moderate — 591′ elevation gain —
White Oak Flats Trail took us a little while to discover, but it really is a hidden gem and we wish we had found it sooner. This hike encompasses a lot of the features of Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park, from strolling along Rocky Fork and admiring the many small cascades to a fairly secluded viewpoint. We find the hike better in the winter because you get a few more views along the trail while the leaves are down, but any time of year is great!
Getting There
From I-26 (from North)
- Take Exit 43 for US-19W toward TN-352 / Temple Hill Rd. Turn left at the end of the ramp.
- Turn right onto US-19W W
- Travel 1.1 mile, take slight right on TN-352 W
- Continue 4.8 miles, then turn right onto Rocky Fork Road (there will be a sign for the park at this turn)
- Travel 0.8 mile into the park, on a not-lined mostly 2-lane-wide road travelling along the creek. There is a one-lane bridge at one point. Turn left to make your way back to the gravel parking lot.
From I-26 (from South)
- Take Exit 50 toward Flag Pond Road
- It’s a little bit of a weird exit, but turn left at the end of the ramp area, onto Upper Higgins Creek Road
- Travel 0.6 mile, then turn right onto Old Asheville Hwy
- Travel 2.2 miles, then turn left onto Rocky Fork Road (there will be a sign for the park at this turn)
- Travel 0.8 mile into the park, on a not-lined mostly 2-lane-wide road travelling along the creek. There is a one-lane bridge at one point. Turn left to make your way back to the gravel parking lot.
The Hike
From the parking lot, walk down the hill you just drove up to park, and follow the wide gravel path, the red blazed Rocky Fork Trail.
Notes:
- This is the main trailhead to get to most of the trails within Rocky Fork State Park.
- The Whitehouse Cliffs Trail starts from the opposite end of the parking area and is the more well known viewpoint in the park.
We usually find ourselves pausing many times during the short 0.7 mile stretch along Rocky Fork to reach White Oak Flats Trail split.
The White Oak Flats Trail splits off to the right with a slightly uphill grade, and utilizes a brown blaze. This follows another wide gravel/rocky multi-use trail. The first 0.3 mile or so is the steepest section of the trail.
The main attraction on White Oak Flats Trail is an overlook that is 1.3 miles from the parking lot, or 0.6 miles from the White Oak Flats Trail split. Take a moment to rest and enjoy the views of High Rocks, Little Bald, and Big Bald on clear days.
Once ready to continue your hike, you have the option to return the way you came for an out-and-back 2.6 mile hike, or you can continue on as we like to do to the end of White Oak Flats Trail. The end of the trail is not anything special, but in the winter, you continue to get pretty views through trees along the remainder of the trail.
