You can hike to the famous Cades Cove waterfalls 3. Stop at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian and learn about the Cherokee people and their history in the area before Europeans showed up. Book an Adventure at Nantahala Outdoor Center. This is a long hike for little ones, but they will undoubtedly enjoy playing in the water at the top of the falls. Meigs Falls is just over a mile west of The Sinks. Cataract Falls, TN Super short hike near the Sugarlands Visitor Center. The view can be partially obstructed in the summertime when the trees are fully leafed; we recommend checking it out in the winter or early spring. The idea is to reduce traffic on the trail and limit congestion on Highway 321 once the parking lot fills and visitors get creative trying to get a spot. It's about a 45 minute drive from Gatlinburg on Highway 321 (or about 40 minutes from exit 407 on I-40). The parking area for the waterfall will be on the left. If you purchase through a link on my site, I may earn a commission. How Long Does It Take to See the Waterfalls? Perhaps the most beautiful season for waterfalls is in the winter, where the cascades turn to ice in a frozen, shimmering beauty. 4. 11. During very cold weather, the falls can freeze into icy sheets. 11 places dogs can go in the Smokies. You Won't Believe What You're Missing! Risks include stomach trouble and brittle bones. Waterfalls in Gatlinburg: 12 Best Waterfalls Near Gatlinburg Ranked The operating hours, policies and procedures of other businesses may change at any time without notice. 1. Top 4 Smoky Mountain Waterfalls Near Gatlinburg That You Have to See They are available online, but youll still need to print them so it might be better to pick them up at a park office or automated machine. Editors Note: A word of warning for all of the following falls. Explore the most visited national park in the country. The powerful hydraulics beneath the falls should be avoided, but there are plenty of places to enjoy a swim at The Sinks. Its a spectacular sight but a strenuous hike gaining almost 2200 feet in elevation, so its not for the faint of heart. Highly recommend climbing clockwise! You might want to grab a picnic lunch at Dads and explore around the Motor Trail until mid afternoon. Still, others are far more remote. Pictured here, a slightly creepy mannequin stands outside the attraction (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com), Youve seen it while driving down the Parkway. Its important to start this early in the day to allow enough time to drive between Cataract Falls and Tom Branch Falls, about a 1hr drive through the heart of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Located in the Greenbrier area, Ramsey Cascade Trail is 8 miles round trip. Although short, the hike is strenuous due to steep scramble paths when you get closer to the falls. This section of US 129 is known as the Tail of the Dragon.. Browse cabins with pet friendly policies. There is also a park of the trail that is a bit steep and rugged near the falls. Grotto Falls is famous as The One You Can Walk Behind. The trail takes you right behind the waterfalls. We told you there are waterfalls you can drive to, and you're reading this thinking those are just a bunch of puny cascades! 6 Waterfalls near Gatlinburg - The Best Ones to Visit Any Time of Year! There are also several hike options to see large waterfalls, but plenty of them are short and easy nature walks. This not only changed the course of the river and formed a distinctive waterfall shape, but it also created a deep pool that is ideal for swimming. Only two of the seven waterfalls require a moderate hike. Please be patient, this may take a minute. That dirt road is passable, albeit with a few large holes, but also not great for larger vehicles or RVs. You dont need to enter the water on most of the Gatlinburg waterfall hikes, so just wear whatever you would wear for a traditional hike unless youre planning to get wet. What Does Anakeesta Mean? The recreation.gov site says No parking reservations are currently required to park at Laurel Falls trailhead. Doing this will add the rental to your favorites list. While there are plenty of ways to see spectatular sights in the Smokies, the best of the best require just a little bit more effort. Read Also: Great Smoky Mountains National Park entrance fee: Will it stay free? Download offline maps so you can navigate straight to this pull-off. You can revoke your consent any time using the Revoke consent button. Directions Activity Difficulty Length Suitability More filters 1 Top trails ( 34) Hard 4.8 (10007) #1 - Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte There are numerous waterfalls and cascades that you can drive to or view along a peaceful auto tour. The hike is considered strenuous, gaining over 2,000 feet in elevation over 4 miles. After doing this, you will have to perform a new availability search.The number next to the favorites tab is the number of properties you have selected. The Risks of Taking Drugs Like Ozempic When You're Over 65 Place of a Thousand Drips - A Smoky Mountains National Park Destination Large waterfalls attract the crowds, but smaller cascades and falls can be found on nearly every river and stream in the park. Getting to Laurel Falls Trail parking - Flashpacking America White water rafting on the Ocoee River in Tennessee. A couple of the waterfalls are visible from the road or a parking lot right next to the main road. Take a hike no really and check out one of the nearby gorgeous waterfalls (photo of Mingo Falls by Jack R Perry Photography/shutterstock.com, photo of the Gatlinburg Space Needle by Stephen B. Goodwin/shutterstock.com). The Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers a wide variety of opportunities for beautiful scenery. Top 3 Smoky Mountain Waterfalls You Can Drive To - Visit My Smokies 1. This accessible waterfall hike near Gatlinburg is easily one of the most popular waterfalls in the national park. One of the most leisurely strolls in the park, Big Creek Trail also features the beautiful Midnight Hole around mile 1.4. If you have more time and energy, you can continue another 4.2 miles to reach the summit of Mt. Take your time, bring water, and you can do it, too! We are not endorsed by, authorized by, or affiliated with any mentioned attractions. Our hiking blog has tips and tricks for vacationers in Gatlinburg who want -, Any time of year is a great time to visit Gatlinburg and the Smokies! The 120-foot tall falls are located on the Cherokee Indian Reservation just outside the National Park. The falls splash down a nearly vertical rockface and can make the bridge over the falls slippery, so watch your step. However, with two lots on either side of the road, you should be able to find a spot without waiting too long. Hiking in the spring, youll see wildflowers and rhododendrons blooming. John Gullion, Managing Editor at the Citizen Tribune, is a freelance contributor for TheSmokies.com LLC the parent company of TheSmokies.com and HeyOrlando.com. Make your Gatlinburg vacation fun for everyone no matter how high the temperature rises by checking out our ideas to beat the heat in Gatlinburg. Directions: To reach the falls, drive to the parking area at Cherokee Orchard, one of the first stops on the Roaring Fork Motor Trail. It's a big, beautiful waterfall - not just a cascade. Here is an old one of our family circa 2015 at Laurel Falls (when we only had 2 boys and I was 7 months pregnant with the third! Planning a multi-day vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg? From Gatlinburg, take US 441 over the mountains into North Carolina. Why not book a log cabin that's close to the national park? 2. Pro Tip: Beware the directions, even from Google Maps. Simply click the "+" sign on the lower left side of the property you are interested in. Stock Photos provided by our partner Deposit Photos. Tesla may keep cutting prices in 'turbulent times', Musk says A few waterfalls are accessible right by the road; others require an easy stroll down a level trail. Laurel Falls is popular for several reasons: Beauty - The waterfall is an 80 multi-tiered waterfall on the Laurel Branch creek. Look but dont leap off the falls, as the hydraulics can be dangerous. The most time-consuming part of any trip: planning out the trip itinerary. Thank you so much for the help!! How to Hike the Laurel Falls Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you visit in the spring, you can find some amazing wildflowers along the trail. Don't miss out on seeing the top waterfalls in this incredible part of the country. A multi-tiered beauty, the Tom Branch Falls streams down the rocky hillside and into the side of Deep Creek. Smoky Mountain Waterfalls & Cascades You Can Drive To - PigeonForge.com In this case, its totally doable without killing yourself because we purposefully are only discussing the easy-to-reach waterfalls. Famous for: This is a fairly family-friendly hike so you will see lots of families on your trip, some even with strollers. Waterfalls - Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park The park straddles the state line and lies in both North Carolina and Tennessee. Sometimes you just dont have the time or energy to hike up and down steep hills, regardless of how short the hike may be. The top waterfalls in the park are Laurel Falls, Grotto Falls, Rainbow Falls, the Ramsey Cascades, Cataract Falls, the Sinks, Abrams Falls and Mouse Creek Falls. 2023 Lil' Travel Folks Journey Theme by Restored 316, Click here to see a hiking map of the smokies. Check out our complete guide for what to expect when hiking to Laurel Falls. Any tips to make our trip to Laurel Falls easier? Although the falls is much smaller than many of the other falls on this list, it is the most voluminous waterfall in the park. Tennessee in fallattracts leaf peepers and nature lover. The resultant waterfall is not tall but constantly has a lot of volume. Directions: Drive 6 miles on Historic Nature Trail into the national park. and it wasnt too hard even four our 2 1/2 year old, although there were some steep drop offs that made me a bit nervous, so if you are bringing kiddos just keep an eye on them. Top 6 Gatlinburg Scenic Drives You Won't Want to Miss You absolutely want to take the clockwise route up to Juney Whank. Famous for: The hike itself along Abrams Creek as well as the falls. The reality is, sometimes you're lucky to escape with your life and/or relationship intact! The most visited park in the entire national park system, Great Smoky Mountains National Park welcomes over 12 million visitors every year. All the shop's proceeds go directly to scholarships for GSMIT. 5 Roadside Waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains You Can't Miss Whatever way you access them, there is no shortage of stunning waterfalls around Gatlinburg in the Smoky Mountains. In fact, walking along the final approach to the cascades on Roaring Branch spring is beautiful, with lots of secluded spots to eat a sandwich and soak your feet. Drive #8: Newfound Gap Road. Youll reduce the amount of time stuck in traffic if you do it this way. Turn left at the bridge for a 1.5 mile woodsy drive along Middle Prong of the Little River. Because the hike to Laurel Falls was so popular, the park service decided to pave this trail to limit damaging erosion. Let someone else out so you can take the spot. Be careful about climbing on the rocks as signs warn that four people have died in the area near the falls. The relatively easy hike features a short climb and a long descent over the three mile round trip hike. Do you have a favorite waterfall in or around Gatlinburg? Hiking Trail: Deep Creek Trail 0.7 mile to the junction with Indian Creek Trail, Waterfall Height: Indian Creek Falls 25 feet, Tom Branch Falls 60 feet. Make your Smokies honeymoon perfect by following our tips on how to plan your honeymoon trip to Gatlinburg. This is a wonderful place to stop and have lunch and you can even continue on to a backcountry campsite. Trillium Gap Trail meanders through an old-growth hemlock forest and actually runs behind the 25 foot high waterfall. The Sinks The Sinks is one of the only waterfalls in Gatlinburg that you can drive to. The fabulous Mouse Creek Falls can be found in the first 2 easy, fairly flat miles of Big Creek Trail. Rainbow Falls is a 5.4-mile roundtrip hike. to allow us to collect information through cookies. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Here at Coleman Concierge, we encourage everyone to travel responsibly and believe there is potential for tremendous good for the world following that ethos. If it hasnt rained in a while, there may not be a waterfall here at all. The hike to Ramsey Cascades is rocky and climbs some 2,500 feet up the drainage of Mt. Cataract Falls is the easiest waterfall to see in Gatlinburg because it is just outside of town with a very short approach hike. Possible best time of day? Explore these articles to learn more about fun e -, Make the most of your vacation in the Smoky Mountains with our tips and tricks! The Deep Creek waterfalls are all accessed from the same parking lot at the back of the Deep Creek campground, located inside the boundaries of the national park. Meet our new guest blogger! Hiking Trail: Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. During rainy periods, the unique waterfall is fantastic as the water breaks into small channels, cascading around rocks and creating the Thousand Drips. The Only 25 Tips You Need for Traveling as a Couple, the latest CDC recommendations for travelers, Race down the mountains in a passenger seat. Visit the Deep Creek area waterfalls but then also explore Bryson City and the town of Cherokee before heading back to Gatlinburg. Baskins Creek Falls This is a relatively less popular waterfall hike. This hiking trail is well-traveled, so be prepared to deal with large crowds when visiting in the afternoon or during busy times of year such as fall, summer, and the winter holidays. You can hike (or drive to one location) to these waterfalls, and see what you find! 10+ waterfall hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park TN NC If youre looking to skip the crowds, drive out to the Eastern part of the park and catch a glimpse of this amazing 50-foot falls. 7 Easy to Reach Waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains near Gatlinburg. Located just off Upper Tremont Road, this short but more than moderately difficult hike is popular for the scenery as well as the deep pool swimming hole created by the falls. LeConte and Clingmans Dome receive over 8 inches of rain. Go-getters will understand. Always closely supervise children. If you go on another waterfall hike near Gatlinburg first thing in the morning, its still possible to find parking at Grotto Falls for your second hike. Abrams Falls Trail basics The distance of the Abrams Falls Trail is around 5 miles round trip. That fee was lifted in the off-season but the park could bring it back again if they feel the park once again becomes too congested. There is also access to a swimming hole and a hiking trail. (Daily $5, Weekly $15, Annual $40). Grotto Falls. Most of these waterfalls include a hike to visit the location, with the exception of the Sinks. Perhaps the hardest part of a Laurel Falls hike is finding a parking spot. Strollers are not recommended, but we saw a few parents trying to tough it out with them. 7 Breathtaking Waterfalls Near Gatlinburg - Hearthside Cabin Rentals in and give us insights into user behavior so we can improve our communications and products. 7 Beautiful and Best Waterfalls in Gatlinburg you can Visit 1. This five mile out and back drive follows the beautiful Middle Prong of the Little River all the way to the end of the road where Middle Prong Trail begins. You can see the "Place of 1000 drips" along Roaring Fork Motor Trail from a vehicle. Even the smallest CSGM Theme by carodactyll | Digital Marketing by YlliB, Inc. By continuing to use our website, you are accepting the use of cookies. Re: Waterfalls near Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge. This natural swimming hole lies at the bottom of a six-foot waterfall band boasts crystal clear water. However, this is a waterfall piece, so well focus on waterfalls. Part of Deep Creek, this waterfall is also resilient during dry spells. A small parking lot provides access to the viewing area. This breathtaking waterfall is made up of several small waterfalls and is visible from a scenic drive loop called Roaring Fork Motor . The hike to Rainbow Falls is 2.6 miles on the Rainbow Falls Trail. By clicking on or navigating the site, you agree Since this sight is easy to access, the falls can often be crowded, so it's best to visit the Sinks early to get the best views of the waterfall. Waterfall Height: 60 feet with 3 separate tiers. LeConte. During the inaugural fee trial in the summer of 2021, the park charged a $12 fee per personal vehicle, with a $2 per ticket reservation fee per ticket. The trail to reach the popular Cataract Falls begins just to the left of Sugarlands Visitor Center south of Gatlinburg. Everybody loves a good waterfall! Great Smoky Mountains National Park Forum - Tripadvisor It was rated as the 9th most dangerous hikes in America by Backpacker Magazine due to water related deaths such as drowning and hypothermia. The Sinks is the best Gatlinburg waterfall for swimming because it is a short hike to a large pool that is deep enough to swim in. Be sure to leave yourself plenty of time. They are utterly fabulous and a great way to enjoy the outdoors. This national park has free entry, which makes it enticing for visitors from Gatlinburg and Asheville, but as of March 2023, a paid parking tag is required to park anywhere within the park. Its 5.4 miles roundtrip to the falls, but the trail continues another 4 miles to the summit of Mt. For more information please read our privacy policy. For starters, you take the Roaring Forks Motor Trail out of Gatlinburg, a one-way loop through the mountain that reminds you of a ride at Disney World. The 4 Best Smoky Mountain Swimming Holes and Waterfalls - Aunt Bug's So it may be a good idea to check NPS.gov and Recreation.gov before you go to read about current costs and procedures. Cataract Falls. Perfect for kids and families alike, the Cataract Falls trail is perfect for those who want to venture out into nature while staying closer to the city. From I40 get off on the Waterville exit (451) to reach the Big Creek Campground. Start no later than mid-morning and go until sundown, and its possible to see all 7 waterfalls in one day. With its many beautiful waterfalls, theres something for everyone in the family to enjoy. Once you find your perfect rental for the right date, simply click "book now" to begin the booking process. The top waterfalls in the park are Laurel Falls, Grotto Falls, Rainbow Falls, the Ramsey Cascades, Cataract Falls, the Sinks, Abrams Falls and Mouse Creek Falls. All ages and abilities will find the Deep Creek trail wide, flat, and easy to traverse. The trail has short, steep sections which can be slippery in wet weather. The cool, moist environment near the falls is ideal for salamanders and summer hikers. Greenbrier Entrance - Ramsey Cascades. However, Laurel Falls is a popular hiking destination so parking can be difficult on the weekends and you might end up walking along the road to get to the trailhead at Grotto Falls. The newest attractions opening this year. For me, the cabin is more than just a hotel, Jurassic Boat Ride is an indoor dark ride attraction located on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. A wide rock outcropping in the creek bed creates this beautiful waterfall. If youre visiting waterfalls with children, keep them close by at all times and dont allow them to play near water without supervision. Cataract Falls (Fighting Creek, Cove Mountain Trail) Abrams Falls. From Gatlinburg, visit the 7 easiest-to-reach waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains in the following order for efficiency: Drive out to Meigs Falls first, and then begin stopping at each waterfall in the order listed. Parking lots are located on both sides of the roadway at the trailhead, but the lots frequently fill before noon, especially in peak season. Each hike denotes (method of access) / (miles of hike, if applicable) / (difficulty rating). He knows his home well -, Planning adventures in the great outdoors? We fell in love deeply in, Tucson Cycling The Locals Guide to Road Riding in the Old Pueblo. Simply drive to the Sugarlands Visitors Center, a short 2 miles from Gatlinburg, and outside the building you will see signs pointing you the way to Cataract Falls. This blogging bear loves sharing the Smoky Mountains with everyone. Some waterfalls might not be accessible during winter, and there is might be a charge for parking at some waterfalls, although most all trail lots are free in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And the trail leads to a large volume of water rushing over a 20-foot falls into a picturesque pool. The pulloff for Meigs falls is 13 miles west of the Sugarlands Visitor Center. Per the parks website, over 375,000 visitors hiked Laurel Falls in 2020 thats an increase of over 110,000 people compared to 2019. From here, Grotto Falls is only a 1.3 mile walk through a beautiful section of forest filled with old-growth Hemlocks. 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