Cricket Hill Spring, Black Mountain, NC

## Overview Cricket Hill Spring is a roadside public drinking spring nestled along Highway 9 just outside the charming town of Black Mountain, North Carolina, in Buncombe County. Situated at roughly 2,700 feet of elevation on the scenic route toward Lake Lure, this spring has long been a convenient stop for locals and travelers heading through the Blue Ridge Mountains. The spring flows year-round and is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, making it a reliable watering point for hikers, road-trippers, and residents alike. Black Mountain — often called the "Front Porch of Western North Carolina" — sits in a valley surrounded by the Seven Sisters mountain range, and the hills along Highway 9 are rich with natural springs fed by the region's abundant rainfall and ancient Appalachian geology. Cricket Hill Spring is one of several gravity-fed springs in the area that have historically been used as drinking water sources by mountain communities. ## Directions 1. From downtown **Black Mountain, NC**, head south on **Blue Ridge Road** toward **Highway 9 (NC-9)** in the direction of Lake Lure. 2. Follow **Highway 9** uphill for approximately **2.5 miles** from Blue Ridge Road. 3. Watch for a cluster of **mailboxes on the right side of the road** bearing the name **"Cricket Hill"** and a street sign for **Lakey Gap Heights** (near the address 21 Lakey Gap Heights). 4. The spring is located **just behind the mailboxes**, on the uphill side of the road. 5. Pull over and park safely on the shoulder near the mailboxes to access the spring. **GPS coordinates:** 35.589203, -82.308197 ## What to Expect Cricket Hill Spring is a simple, no-frills roadside spring — the kind of mountain water source that has served Appalachian communities for generations. The spring is located right off Highway 9, so access is straightforward with no hiking required. Look for the Cricket Hill mailboxes and the Lakey Gap Heights street sign as your landmark. The shoulder along this stretch of Highway 9 is narrow in places, so use caution when pulling over and parking. Traffic can move quickly on this winding mountain road, especially during tourist season when visitors are heading to and from Lake Lure and Chimney Rock State Park. The surrounding area offers beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain scenery, with lush hardwood forests that are particularly stunning during fall foliage season (typically mid-to-late October in this part of western North Carolina). The spring has been reported by visitors to produce clear, cool water, and it has historically been used as a drinking water source by the local community. As with any natural spring, water conditions can vary with weather and seasonal changes. The spring is open **24/7, year-round**, and there is no fee to access it. Bring your own containers if you plan to collect water.