Fires Creek Picnic Area
Picnic ground
4.9 (351)
-1899, 1767 Fires Creek Wildlife Rd, Hayesville, NC 28904
Managed Creek Recreation Area And Waterfall TrailNC
Fires Creek Region Swimming Spots
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Plan the Leatherwood Falls walk and Fires Creek day use near Hayesville, with Forest Service facilities, current access and historical swimming scope.
Swimming permission unconfirmed
Use authorized entrances and obey current notices. Do not jump, dive or use rope swings or natural rock slides.
Official sources checked:
Water type
Managed Creek Recreation Area And Waterfall Trail
Swimming status
Swimming unconfirmed
Fee
Forest Service lists no fee for this recreation site; separate camping or other arrangements need their own check.
Best season
Check the named destination, current notices and weather before choosing a date
Nearby towns
Hayesville, Murphy
Water body
Fires Creek At Leatherwood Falls; Second Historical Creek Approach Unspecified
Status summarizes our reviewed record, not today's opening or safety. Check current rules, swimming boundaries and notices before visiting.
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Hayesville, Murphy
Access location not verified
Murphy, NC
Approximate location based on the nearest town. Confirm the exact spot and access before you go.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Official sources checked . Swimming permission remains unconfirmed.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
Make Leatherwood Falls the named destination
The original Fires Creek record identifies Leatherwood Falls, then mentions an unspecified second creek location without finishing its directions. Plan around the managed recreation area rather than treating every roadside pull-off as an entrance.
A short waterfall walk or a longer backcountry trip
The Forest Service lists a 0.7-mile loop from Leatherwood Falls Picnic Area. The separate Fires Creek Rim Trail is a 25-mile backcountry route, not the short falls walk. Choose the outing that fits your group and follow current trail and road notices.
Useful day-use services
The current recreation-area page lists sunrise-to-sunset day use, no site fee, vault toilets and no potable water. Bring drinking water and pack out waste. Bristol horse camping and Huskins Branch primitive camping are distinct arrangements, not permission to camp beside any creek pool.
Historical swimming needs a current entrance check
Swimming beneath Leatherwood Falls appears in the old description, but the current recreation page does not designate a bathing entrance or assess the old under-bridge pool. Do not rely on historical depth, cold-water descriptions or an accessible picnic route as proof of safe water entry. Confirm exact rules and conditions with the Tusquitee Ranger District before entering.
A sensible alternative
Keep waterfall viewing, picnicking or an authorized hike as the trip’s backup. Do not jump from the bridge, climb the falls or improvise an approach to the unnamed second location. A site being open is not a declaration that every water approach is suitable.
Manager information
Use the current Fires Creek recreation page and contact the district at 828-837-5152 for access questions.
Getting There
Use the current Forest Service Fires Creek Recreation Area directions and notices to reach Leatherwood Falls Picnic Area. Follow the manager's 0.7-mile loop. No current second water-entry route is established by the truncated historical description.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
Managed day use is listed sunrise to sunset. Do not treat unspecified roadside banks as public bathing entrances.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
Use authorized entrances and obey current notices. Do not jump, dive or use rope swings or natural rock slides. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
Fires Creek Wildlife Management Area
Park
4.9 (21)
398 Bear Cub Path, Hayesville, NC 28904
Public restroom
Chatuge Dam Trail
Park
4.9 (415)
1407 Chatuge Dam Rd, Hayesville, NC 28904
Picnic tablesPublic restroom
Clay County Park Campground
Campground
4.7 (316)
Clay County Park, 47 Clay Recreation Park Rd, Hayesville, NC 28904
Public restroomPublic showerRestroomRunning water
Gibson Cove Campground
Campground
4.6 (39)
3279 Myers Chapel Rd, Hayesville, NC 28904
Public restroomPublic showerRestroomRunning water
Jackrabbit Recreation Area, Tusquitee Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest
Campground
4.6 (247)
465 Jack Rabbit Rd, Hayesville, NC 28904
Public restroomPublic showerRestroomRunning water
Town of Murphy Public Restrooms
Public bathroom
2.4 (9)
39 Hickory St, Murphy, NC 28906
Restroom
Public bathroom
2.3 (4)
V5CQ+6X, Blairsville, GA 30512
Frequently Asked Questions About Fires Creek Region Swimming Spots
Which two places does the historical record identify?
It names Leatherwood Falls, then mentions unspecified Fires Creek swimming places without a complete second route. Do not invent an entrance for that second reference.
How long is the Leatherwood Falls walk?
The Forest Service lists a 0.7-mile loop from the picnic area. It is different from the 25-mile Fires Creek Rim Trail.
Is drinking water available at the recreation area?
The current manager page says potable water is unavailable. Bring the water your group needs.
What are the day-use hours and charge?
The recreation page lists sunrise-to-sunset day use and no site fee. Check current notices; campground arrangements are separate.
Does the old under-bridge depth still apply?
No current survey supports that number. Do not use it to assess a water entry, jump or dive.
Is swimming currently designated at Leatherwood Falls?
The current page supports hiking and other recreation but does not establish a designated bathing entrance. Ask the district about exact rules and conditions; this is not a finding of a blanket swimming ban.
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Do not jump, dive or use rope swings
- Water appearance does not establish depth, current, water quality, underwater hazards or an exit
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
Respect protected sites and local rules; no invented cultural associations.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Photograph only from permitted viewpoints and respect visitors' privacy. Scenery is not a current water-condition report.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Respect property boundaries, use authorized routes and carry out waste.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Check the named destination, current notices and weather before choosing a date.
Difficulty Level
0.7-mile Leatherwood Falls loop identified by manager; no verified accessible descent into water.
Fee
Forest Service lists no fee for this recreation site; separate camping or other arrangements need their own check.
Facilities
Bring drinking water. Campground services and picnic routes are not facilities or accessible bathing routes at every pool.
Activities
Manager-supported hiking, picnicking, fishing and scoped horse or camping recreation; historical swimming requires exact-entry confirmation.
Phone
828-837-5152
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
Bristol horse camping and Huskins Branch primitive camping are separate managed arrangements; confirm current rules and availability.
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Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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