Hi there!
Deep Creek is on the North Carolina side of the Smoky Mountains, and this also makes it a less visited area of the national park compared to other areas.
And for waterfalls in this area, Indian Creek Falls is one of the great waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains!
It’s pretty easy to get to Indian Creek Falls.
Indian Creek Falls is in the Deep Creek area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and while you are here you can also hike the trail to the waterfalls of Tom Branch Falls and Juney Whank Falls.
This Smoky Mountains hike that leads to waterfalls flowing along Indian Creek includes walking right alongside water!
Basic trail information about the hike to Indian Creek Falls
This is among the relatively easy waterfall hikes in the Smoky Mountains.
If you were to go directly to Indian Creek Falls and back, most of the hike is a leisurely stroll alongside a river (creek!) on flat ground. Once you are basically there, there is a short set of stairs to take you down to the waterfalls viewing platform.
You’ll take the Deep Creek Trail to get most of the way to Indian Creek Falls. Then there will be an intersection in which you’ll be taking Indian Creek Trail once you are close. There are signs to the waterfalls to guide you.
The distance of this hiking trail to Indian Creek Falls is around 1.6 miles round trip.
It’s officially recommended to give yourself 1-2 hours to complete the Indian Creek Falls hike.
With minimal stops it’s possible to complete this in less than an hour, but you might want to spend some time sitting at one of the benches located on the creekside benches located on the trail along the way!
As you are hiking to Indian Creek Falls, you will also pass Tom Branch Falls. You can’t miss it. (This is where some benches are located.)
You can make it a hike to Indian Creek Falls and then head back, and it will make for a nice nature walk.
Many people also visit another waterfalls, Juney Whank Falls.
The Deep Creek Trail connects to the Juney Whank Trail.
It’s also possible to make it into a longer hike by continuing on the Deep Creek Trail past the turn-off to Indian Creek Falls. This will feel more like a “real” hike as you will be hiking through a forest. You might see a bear. (My dad did!)
If you’re going for a longer hike, you will find a map at the Juney Whank trailhead which is right near the Deep Creek trailhead. Take a picture of the map!
The trailhead is located in the Deep Creek area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
If you’re coming from Gatlinburg, the drive to the Deep Creek trailhead is around a 1.5 hour drive.
Your destination for google maps can be the Deep Creek Trail trailhead or the Deep Creek trailhead parking.
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No dogs on the trail to Indian Creek Falls
Side note! Check the reviews at partner websites included below!
How to save money on your trip to the Smoky Mountains
I use hotels.com to look for the cheapest hotels. You can also try the expedia hotels site (good for car rentals too) or see if you like any of the vrbo vacation rentals or cabins.
/end side note
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In general, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is not a pet-friendly park when it comes to hiking trails.
Pets are not allowed on the vast majority of hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains, and that includes Deep Creek Trail and Indian Creek Trail that take you to the waterfalls.
Toilet near the trail to Indian Creek Falls
The Deep Creek campground is located right near the Deep Creek parking lot, and that’s the bathroom I used. It has modern bathroom facilities.
Parking near the trail to Indian Creek Falls
There is a good size parking lot right next to the Deep Creek trailhead.
Indian Creek Falls Trail pictures!
PHOTOS for a little bit of what to expect when hiking in the Deep Creek area on the trail to Indian Creek Falls!
I hiked to Indian Creek Falls in late September 2020. Pictures are from that time.
This is how it can look if you hike directly to Indian Creek Falls from the parking lot. (Instead of hiking to Juney Whank Falls first.)
So the trail to Indian Creek Falls starts at the Deep Creek trailhead, so you’ll following signs for that.
Then once you start on the trail, you’ll soon come across Tom Branch Falls. (Maybe like 10 minutes.)
Then once you’ve taken in the views here, you can continue onwards to Indian Creek Falls!
Indian Creek Trail to Indian Creek Falls, 200 ft.
Indian Creek Trail to Stonepile Gap Trail, 0.5 miles.
Indian Creek Trail to loop trail, 0.8 miles.
Indian Creek Trail to Deeplow Gap Trail, 2.8 miles.
And then once you’ve taken in the views of Indian Creek Falls, you can head back the way you came.
Or, at the intersection you just passed, you can continue onwards to hike more of the Deep Creek Trail for the forest hike!
And that’s a bit of what it’s like on the hike to Indian Creek Falls!
I visited the 3 Deep Creek waterfalls in this order:
- Juney Whank Falls
- Tom Branch Falls
- Indian Creek Falls
Be sure to see the list of more great waterfall hikes in the Smoky Mountains!
Popular scenic areas of the Smoky Mountains with waterfalls:
- Things to do in Cades Cove (more waterfalls!)
- Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail (more waterfalls!)
If you’re interested in Indian Creek Falls, then you might also be interested in these waterfalls in and around the Smoky Mountains:
- Mingo Falls
- Hen Wallow Falls
- Mouse Creek Falls
- Grotto Falls
- Best waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains
- Things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
HAPPY WALKING TO SEE INDIAN CREEK WATERFALLS!
Here are more ideas for a few days in the Smoky Mountains!
More of the best things that the Smoky Mountains is known for is hiking!If you're looking for just one solid day hike in the Smoky Mountains, there's the Mount LeConte hike. Most often this is done as a day hike, but you can also stay overnight near the Mount LeConte summit! There is the LeConte Lodge, which claims to be the highest guest lodge in the eastern part of the United States! (It does book up!)
There are also lots more hikes that come with mountain views. See more about some of the best hikes in the Smoky Mountains.
There are also a lot of hikes to waterfalls. See more about the best waterfall hikes in the Smoky Mountains.
You can also go camping in the mountains. See more about the best campgrounds in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. (No showers in the national park, though!)
Cost to go to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
There is no national park entry fee for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but as of 2023, there is a parking fee.You'll need a parking pass when you go to the Smoky Mountains.
You can wait until you arrive to buy the parking pass, or you can buy it online before you go at recreation.gov.
Depending on how many days you will be in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the cost of parking will be $5 or $15 per vehicle.
Plan out your time in the Smoky Mountains!
Some of the best known things in Great Smoky Mountains National Park include Clingmans Dome, Cades Cove, and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail!For Clingmans Dome, you can get great views from the parking lot, or you can hike up to the highest point in the Smoky Mountains! (No matter what, you do need weather on your side, though! For me, 3rd time was the charm at Clingmans Dome!) See more about Clingmans Dome.
For Cades Cove, it's all about the slow-going Cades Cove Loop Road! You can drive it, bike it, or walk it! You can make stops to walk inside historic cabins, see a historic mill, and even do a waterfall hike! See more about Cades Cove.
The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is also a slow-going road that you drive and make stops along the way, including quiet stops along a creek or waterfalls hikes. See more about the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.
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