Big East Fork of the Pigeon River

USGS Map: Shining Rock

Take 276 NW past junction of Blue Ridge Parkway toward Canton and Waynesville. Continue down steep grade 1 ¼ miles. Off to the left of a sharp curve is the trail head and a small parking area. The trail descends in the direction of the river. There is a heavily used campsite in the hollow near the river shortly after the trail head. Continuing in a generally southern direction along the river, the trails pull away from and then back to the river at several points. There are several good camping spots along the trail on a ridge to your left. Particularly recommended are those adjacent to two brooks that flow into the river. At the first really large creek on your left there is a trail leading up to Bennett Gap parking area off the Blue Ridge Parkway. If you continue on the Big East Fork Trail it joins the Greasy Cove Prong Trail to your right to Ivestor Gap or continue to Parkway near Bridges Camp Gap.