Sliding Rock is a recreation area set up by the US Forest Service. It's a 60' natural rock slide with a 6-7 foot deep pool at the base. Lifeguards and staff are on duty from appr. Memorial Day week end to Labor Day and there is a fee of $1 per person to access the area, which is 7.5 miles north of Hwy 64 on Hwy 276. For more info, call the US Forest Service at 828-877-3350. Kids have to be a certain size to slide alone, otherwise they can sit on the lap of an adult and slide.
I've seen photos of people sliding off season, so I assume you can do it at any time - at your own risk. There are 2 observation areas, one where I took these pictures from and another at the top right. You can see folks standing up there in the above photo. Sliding Rock is a very popular area during the summer months, so be prepared for crowds if you go.
