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Judaculla Rock

Caney Fork Rd, Cullowhee, NC
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Ranked #2 of 2 attractions in Cullowhee
Type: Geologic Formations
Description: Mysterious hieroglyphics, supposedly carved by Indians, adorn this large boulder.
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12 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    6
    3
    2
    0
    1
Date Rating
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Top Contributor
88 reviews 88 reviews
26 attraction reviews
Reviews in 26 cities Reviews in 26 cities
34 helpful votes 34 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 April 2013

Petroglyphs are rare on the East Coast, given the climate and soft limestone. The county and state have cooperated with the land owners to preserve this large carved stone, and developed a small park with a easy access wooden walkway to ensure its view in all weather. Well worth the drive!

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Cullowhee, NC
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 April 2013

This rock has many petroglyphs. The meanings of the symbols are not known but the rock is associated with the legendary Cherokee giant, Judakulla/Tsukalu.

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Central Florida
Senior Contributor
24 reviews 24 reviews
3 attraction reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 April 2013

Not sure how this got 'discovered' or why. It's a dirt road, off a rural road, and when you get there you ask yourself if this is really it....because it is not much. Definitely not worth the time.

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Asheville, North Carolina
Top Contributor
51 reviews 51 reviews
26 attraction reviews
Reviews in 19 cities Reviews in 19 cities
11 helpful votes 11 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 3 March 2013

Judaculla is a stop I always share when friends visit. It's not too far out of the way and a very unusual piece of pre-history in a beautiful area. Everyone I've taken there has enjoyed it, but I'm not sure I'd recommend someone drive more than 30 minutes out of the way to see it unless they were into archeology.

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Highland, Indiana
Top Contributor
55 reviews 55 reviews
29 attraction reviews
Reviews in 18 cities Reviews in 18 cities
28 helpful votes 28 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 October 2012

This is an amazing find and it is a shame that if something isn't done the petroglyph will no longer have visible etchings. They have recently built a nice walkway and viewing area and added signage. It is easily accessible and worth the short drive off the highway.

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Sylva, North Carolina
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 September 2012

There will be signage on the observation deck. We are sorry but there has been some delays but we should have this done before the end of the year. A very special site and the largest rock art site in the southeast.

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Sylva, North Carolina
Senior Contributor
41 reviews 41 reviews
20 attraction reviews
Reviews in 27 cities Reviews in 27 cities
25 helpful votes 25 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 September 2012

This unusual rock is in the Caney Fork area between Sylva, NC and Cashiers, NC and only a few miles from Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. A small two-lane country road leads to the rock's site. There is no parking lot but the walkway is new and excellent. Only a couple of signs give a history but the petroglyphs apparently... More

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Cedar Mountain, NC
Senior Contributor
47 reviews 47 reviews
21 attraction reviews
Reviews in 16 cities Reviews in 16 cities
22 helpful votes 22 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 August 2012

Would like to know what all those hyroglyphics mean. Lots of food for thought. This is out in the middle of nowhere and was being upgraded when we were there. It must be even better now.

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North Wilkesboro, North Carolina
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
3 attraction reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
11 helpful votes 11 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 May 2012

Easy access with descriptive signage and a great observation platform. It's too bad the rock has eroded as much as it has.

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Cherokee, North Carolina, United States
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
9 attraction reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 April 2012

It was just okay last year but improvements were underway and may be finished now. They should tell the legend of Judaculla the giant. It is amazing. I'd probably rate it higher now. Not much for really young kids, but it takes your breath away when you see it and imagine how it came to be

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