Benton Falls Hike Plus Silvermine Creek Falls and Elora Falls

Benton Falls Hike Plus Silvermine Creek Falls and Elora Falls

Saturday March 8, 2025 

Kenny & Dana Koogler

Photos are Here 

Directions are HERE 

   We had been lax on our hiking and were both eager to get outside and take a walk.  We decided that it had been too long since we visited Benton Falls.  The forecast was for mild weather and a sunny day which was in our favor.    I made a list some time back of places I'd visited, but had no video on my channel.   One of those was Benton Falls so this would give me a chance to correct that.  We'd had some good rain and new it would be running wonderfully.  It also meant that the climb down to see other waterfalls past it would be worthwhile today.   Last of all I wanted to visit Sugarloaf Mountain Park.

It sits along the Ocoee and we'd driven past it many times never realizing it was there.  Today we'd fix that too.

Below:  a photo of the trail to Benton Falls 

          We always enjoy the drive down highway 411. The scenery is lovely.  We stopped and ate lunch at Bert's then headed on down the road to hike.   We arrived around 1 pm.   We saw plenty of people, but it was not crowded. We had no trouble finding parking. We encountered lots of people on the hike, but it is nothing like the crowds in the Smokies.   We don't mind seeing people and dogs as long as they are nice.   One thing that is worth mentioning about the hike today?  The restrooms at the trailhead were locked. They are not open when the campground is not operational I guess. 

    The hike to Benton Falls is on a wide, gentle grade on a dirt track.  It winds through a forest with lots of evergreens.   The skies above were brilliant blue with a few puffy clouds.   It was a bluebird day for sure.    It seemed like no time until we arrived at the turn to take us down to the falls.   

 We were both a little surprised. It had been so long between trips we'd forgotten how steep the stairs are on the way down.  The falls was crowded with people. I resigned myself to the fact I'd not get a photo of the falls today minus people.   It was worth it. Everyone there was in a good mood. Families with kids of all ages playing together. The only people on screens were using phones to snap a quick photo.

It was a great vibe for the day.  Dogs playing around with one another and their owners. 

No one was climbing the falls today trying to get their killing done.  

Below is a photo of the falls with all the people. It also illustrates well how steep the stone stairs are.

   

Below is a photo of the stream flowing downstream under  Benton Falls. 

Below is one of the best photos I got of the falls today with the fewest people. 

Below is a photo of Benton Falls taken from the stairs where I could eliminate all the people from the frame for a moment. 

Below is a video of Benton Falls from today. 

    We enjoyed the main falls, but eventually we trudged back up the steps to the trail.  We'd hike on down the trail to find Elora Falls and Silvermine Creek Falls.  The gorge here is full of beautiful waterfalls, but the majority of them have no trail to them.   Elora Falls is a mere quarter mile from Benton Falls, but the climb down over the bank is not simple.  

Below is a photo of what some of the mess looked like we had to contend with to reach the falls. I'd never do this during Summer when snakes are out. 

  We found the waterfalls below without much trouble. We'd been once before, but they were a mere trickle.   Today they should be running far better.   Elora Falls could be heard easily. Silvermine Falls was surprisingly still a trickle after all this rain.   We did not bother to climb down to see it from the base as it was plainly not worth the effort.   Elora Falls was stunning today!   It was also a little tough to reach, but more than worth it. 

Below: Side view of Silvermine Falls 

above and below are two views of Elora Falls.

 

Note to Self: 

  We spotted what may be a lower falls between Benton and Silvermine Falls.  We saw a few folks climbing down the ridge to the base.  We did not attempt it today, but will plan to do so in the near future.   It is visible from a rock outcrop on the left of the trail about 500 feet past Benton Falls.  

  Once we got done enjoying Elora Falls we climbed the slope back up to the trail.  We stopped to catch our breath and get a sip of water before hiking back.    We took a couple minutes to direct a young couple to Elora Falls.   They didn't know it was there, but didn't want to miss it once they knew of it.

     The hike out was not too bad.  It has a slight uphill grade heading back, but the entire hike has little elevation change over all. 

       We arrived back at the jeep happy and ready to move on to the next phase of our day.   We drove back to highway 64 and soon pulled over and down toward the river we found Sugarloaf Mountain park. It is easy to find since it sits at the intersection of Parksville Road with Hwy 64.   

      We found it a popular place, but uncrowded.  It has a boat ramp to put into the Ocoee.  It has picnic tables, grills, restrooms, pavilions, a walking path, exercise equipment and a playground.     It is a scenic spot by the lovely waters of the Ocoee.  Today it was shining and green like jade.  It is below one of the Ocoee dams and  has an old railroad bridge across the river.  These were two of the reasons I wanted to visit the spot.  It did not disappoint.     There is no swimming here according to the signs.  I am not sure why. 

Below: the old L & N bridge across the river

Below: a view of the Ocoee from the walking path

  

Below:  the playground at the park.  what a nice spot and fun for families! 

   I don't know why I didn't take photos of the dam today.  Shame on me! 

It is never a boring trip when visiting this area.  So many hikes and so little time!  

One of my favorites is to hike to Rock Creek Falls and up to Chestnut Mountain Falls. Once there you can turn aside and climb Thornburg Ridge off trail to see four more waterfalls!  I think we saw seven in one day! 

Last of all is a video from today's visit to Elora Falls below: