Hi there!
If you’re wanting to see waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and you’re wanting to hike to see waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains, you have choices!
Below is a list of some of the waterfalls you can see in the Smoky Mountains by foot!
There are a couple of easy waterfall hikes, but most are generally moderate to difficult level because these are hiking trails that take you through the hills (mountains!) of the Smokies!
There are a couple of waterfalls hikes that also come with some mountain views, and there are some that come with water crossings across a log bridge!
📌 Save this post for later! Save on Pinterest! 👈📌
This list includes waterfalls in Tennessee TN and waterfalls in North Carolina NC.
The order of the list is generally based on convenience when driving from Gatlinburg TN, a popular gateway town to the Smoky Mountains.
Drive time from Gatlinburg listed may be longer due to traffic! So it’s best to give extra time for that. It’s also best to allow extra time for parking, in particular for the popular waterfalls. But it is listed to give you somewhat of an idea.
How much time a hike might take is also listed, but this can also vary based on your fitness level, how many stops you make along the way, and how long you spend at the waterfalls! Bring a light picnic lunch and you’ll be able to find a rock to sit on near most waterfalls so you can eat with a view!
I saw waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in September. What the weather will be like from year to year can vary (which means the colors can vary!), but this is what it was like for me!
Smoky Mountain waterfalls in Tennessee
1. Cataract Falls
Tennessee waterfalls near visitor center
This is one of the waterfall hikes on this list that is basically just a leisurely stroll to get to. (aka no hills aka easy waterfall hike.)
You can make this a super short hike by parking at Headquarters Parking B as listed on google maps. From here, you can walk to the start of the trail and it will be around a quarter mile round trip hike.
You can also make it a bit more of a nature walk, still a leisurely stroll, by starting from the Sugarlands Visitor Center. This can make it around a 1.4 mile round trip hike. If you want to add on a historic cabin to your hike, the John Ownby cabin is kind of nearby as well.
Cove Mountain Trail to get to Cataract Falls. This hiking trail also connects to Laurel Falls Trail and the Cove Mountain summit.
2. Rainbow Falls
Roaring Fork waterfalls in Tennessee
Official info about the trail to Rainbow Falls:
- 5.4 miles round trip hike
- Allow 3-5 hours
This is one of the most popular waterfall hikes in the Smokies. This trail will have you hiking right alongside a creek at times, and you’ll get some views of mountains too.
The Rainbow Falls trailhead is around a 15 minute drive from Gatlinburg. It is located just before the start of the one-way road of the popular scenic drive that is Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. For google maps, your destination can be Rainbow Falls Trail. Because of the popularity of these waterfalls, you might end up parking along the side of the road a bit further away from the trailhead, but hopefully no more than a quarter mile away! After your waterfall hike, you can drive the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail right alongside a creek at times and stop to visit historic cabins and a historic mill.
It was also on the way drive back from the Rainbow Falls Trail that I saw a bear in the Smoky Mountains.
Rainbow Falls Trail to get to Rainbow Falls! This hiking trail also connects to the Trillium Gap Trail and the Mt LeConte summit.
â›°
3. Baskins Creek Falls
Roaring Fork waterfalls in Tennessee
Info about the trail to Baskins Creek Falls:
- 3.2 mile round trip hike
- Allow around 2 hours
These are less visited waterfalls on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.
The trailhead to Baskin Creek Falls is located around a 15 minute drive from Gatlinburg.
For google maps, your destination can be the Baskins Creek Trail trailhead if you want to drive the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail after your hike.
If you don’t want to do the drive, it can be better to park near the Rainbow Fall Bullhead Parking B just before it becomes a one-way road for the quicker return drive.
This will add a few minutes of walking to your hike, but it will save drive time.
See details on tips for parking for this waterfall hike: Baskins Creek Falls Trail
Baskins Creek Trail to get to Baskins Creek Falls. This hiking trail also connects to the Trillium Gap Trail and another part of the Roaring Fork Road.
4. Grotto Falls
Roaring Fork waterfalls in Tennessee
Official info about the trail to Grotto Falls:
- 2.6 miles round trip hike
- Allow 2-3 hours
These are popular waterfalls located on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. These are waterfalls that you can walk behind. And just before you get to Grotto Falls, you can see another set of smaller waterfalls too.
The trailhead to Grotto Falls is located around a 20 minute drive from Gatlinburg. For google maps, your destination can be Grotto Falls parking. Similar to Rainbow Falls, because of the popularity of these waterfalls, you might end up parking along the side of the road a bit further away from the trailhead. Once again, hopefully no more than a quarter of a mile away!
Trillium Gap Trail to get to Grotto Falls. This hiking trail also connects to the Mt LeConte summit.
5. Laurel Falls
Waterfalls in Tennessee
Official info about the trail to Laurel Falls:
- 2.6 miles round trip hike
- Allow 2 hours
These are popular waterfalls to visit, and it’s located on the way to the scenic drive on Little River Road.
If you’re going to the popular scenic drive of the Cades Cove Loop Road, then these waterfalls are also on the way.
The hiking trail is an uneven paved trail, and there’s a spot where you can get some views of mountains too.
The trailhead to Laurel Falls is located around a 20 minute drive from Gatlinburg.
For google maps, your destination can be the Laurel Falls trailhead.
Being popular waterfalls, you may also have to walk extra for parking.
Laurel Falls Trail to get to Laurel Falls! This hiking trail also connects to Little Greenbrier Trail and Cove Mountain Trail.
6. Abrams Falls
Cades Cove waterfalls in Tennessee
Official info about the trail to Abrams Falls:
- 5 miles round trip hike
- Allow 3-4 hours
These are one of the most popular waterfalls in the Smokies, located off the popular scenic drive of Cades Cove Loop Road. Before and/or after your waterfall hike, you can also explore the historic cabins that you can find along this one-way road.
It’s also a thing to bike the 11-mile loop road, although if you make it a biking and hiking day you’re in for a big day of physical activity!
In 2020, June through September had car-free days on Wednesdays on Cades Cove Loop Road. If you’re planning a Smokies vacation in 2021, look out for the announcement of when there will be car-free times or days as your vacation date gets closer! (In previous years, just mornings were designated as car-free, but 2020 had all-day designations.)
The trailhead to Abrams Falls is located around a 1.5 hour drive from Gatlinburg. Drive the scenic route to Cades Cove! (There are a number of small waterfalls to see along Little River Road.) For google maps, your destination can be the Abrams Falls Trailhead. You can expect delays once you start driving on the one-way road.
Abrams Falls Trail to get to Abrams Falls! This hiking trail also connects to Rabbit Creek Trail that goes to Hannah Mountain Trail.
7. Hen Wallow Falls
Cosby waterfalls in Tennessee
Official info about the trail to Hen Wallow Falls:
- 4.4 miles round trip hike
- Allow 3-4 hours
These are waterfalls located in a less visited area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is a waterfall hike near the Cosby campground, which can be considered one of the quieter campgrounds of the Smokies.
The trailhead to Hen Wallow Falls is located around a 30 minute drive from Gatlinburg. For google maps, your destination can be the Cosby picnic area or Cosby campground.
Gabes Mountain Trail to get to Hen Wallow Falls. This hiking trail also connects to backcountry campsite #34 and the Maddron Bald Trail.
Smoky Mountain waterfalls in North Carolina
8. Midnight Hole Falls
Waterfalls in North Carolina
Info about the trail to the Midnight Hole waterfalls:
- 3 miles round trip hike
- Allow around 2 hours
This is located in a slightly less visited area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park compared to other areas that are closer to Gatlinburg.
This is a waterfall hike I wish I could have done on a sunny day since it seems the water color would be amazing with the sun’s light reflecting on this waterfall pool!
The trailhead to Midnight Hole is located around a 1 hour drive from Gatlinburg, maybe a little less. For google maps, your destination can be the Big Creek trailhead or the Big Creek campground loop road.
Big Creek Trail to get to the Midnight Hole waterfalls. This is also the trail to get to Mouse Creek Falls, next on the waterfalls list. This hiking trail also connects to Swallow Fork Trail and backcountry campsite #37.
Also, a visitor to Great Smoky Mountains National Park died at the Midnight Hole waterfalls as recently as September 2020. It’s being reported that he fell as he was walking on rocks above the waterfall pool. Read the news story.
Another reason to read the waterfall safety tips!
9. Mouse Creek Falls
Waterfalls in North Carolina
Official info about the trail to Mouse Creek Falls:
- 4 miles round trip hike
- Allow 2-3 hours
These waterfalls are located a little further along on the same trail you take to get to Midnight Hole. This will add on about 1 mile round trip to your Midnight Hole hike which might be around 30-40 minutes extra total time of walking and spending time at Mouse Creek Falls.
10. Juney Whank Falls
Deep Creek waterfalls in North Carolina
Official info about the trail to Juney Whank Falls:
- 0.8 miles round trip hike
- Allow around 1 hour, likely less
Deep Creek is an area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park located near Bryce City NC. There are a few different waterfalls that you can see in this area, with Juney Whank Falls being one of them. The trail to these waterfalls is short but a little steep in parts. This trail can connect to the trail to see the other Deep Creek waterfalls, next on this waterfalls list.
The trailhead to Juney Whank Falls is located around a 1.5 hour drive from Gatlinburg. For google maps, your destination can be the Deep Creek trailhead parking. This is right near the Deep Creek campground.
11. Tom Branch Falls
Deep Creek waterfalls in North Carolina
Official info about the trail to Tom Branch Falls:
- 0.5 miles round trip hike
- Allow around 30 minutes
If you go to Juney Whank Falls first, you can continue on the trail to connect to Deep Creek Falls. You can make it a longer hike by taking the Deep Creek Horse Trail instead of going directly to Tom Branch Falls too.
There’s a map at the trailhead so you might consider taking a picture of that to help you navigate your way around the trails. This trail is also on google maps, so if you have offline maps downloaded, you can navigate that way too since GPS works in the area.
Aside from that, it’s also possible to go directly to Tom Branch Falls from the Deep Creek trailhead. This would be a leisurely stroll to get to these waterfalls. (aka no hills aka easy waterfall hike.)
Even easier than a leisurely stroll to get to the waterfalls?! A leisurely float! Instead of hiking, you can also float down the river (creek) to see these waterfalls. Deep Creek tubing is a thing.
12. Indian Creek Falls
Deep Creek waterfalls in North Carolina
Official info about the trail to Indian Creek Falls:
- 1.6 miles round trip hike
- Allow 1-2 hours
These waterfalls are located further along on the same trail you take to get to Tom Branch Falls.
How hard are waterfall hikes in the Smoky Mountains?!
And what to wear for waterfall hiking in the Smoky Mountains
Almost all of the best waterfall hikes in the Smoky Mountains have HILLS!
They are quite literally in the mountains and you are often going UP to see the waterfalls. Most of these hikes require some level of effort. Consider the waterfalls your reward!
So if you are looking to do some hiking to see waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it is best to be prepared with hiking essentials for the Smoky Mountains!
At minimum, this includes bringing along a daypack on your hike that includes WATER and SNACKS.
It would be even better (and highly recommended!) if you are also wearing appropriate shoes.
What are appropriate shoes?!
Hiking shoes would be GREAT.
A lot of the trails in the Smoky Mountains are rocky, and among other things, hiking shoes will have thicker soles than your normal shoes. This means hiking shoes will be better suited for the rugged terrain and you won’t feel those rocks as much on the bottom of your feet as you’re walking.
Waterfall hikes in the Smokies may also have small water crossings, and the slightly water resistant nature of hiking shoes can be helpful too.
Your shoes (and socks!) have a better chance of remaining dry at the end of the day so your shoes can be ready for the next day’s hike! (And you don’t have to worry about drying them!)
It would also be even better (and once again highly recommended!) to bring along hiking poles!
Because most of these waterfall hikes have hills, you will be going up and down a lot.
You will likely be VERY happy to have hiking poles for almost all of these hikes! Hiking poles will make it feel easier to go up, and they can help to relieve stress on your knees going down.
These are just a few things to start thinking about for hiking to waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See more about what to pack for your Great Smoky Mountains National Park vacation!
Be an even more prepared hiker by having a look at these safety tips for waterfall hikes too!
Download offline maps before you go!
Phone service as you are driving through the national park can be almost nonexistent. So it will be helpful to download (free!) offline google maps of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding area before you go to help you navigate your way through the national park to the waterfalls. You can expect phone service and data in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and other cities outside of the park.
No dogs on waterfall hikes in the Smoky Mountains
In general, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is not a pet-friendly park when it comes to hiking. Dogs are not allowed on the vast majority of hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains, and that includes the waterfall hikes on this list.
Please, don’t be THAT person.
And if you’re tempted to be that person, please see the list of reasons why dogs are better off away from the trails in the Smokies.
Recap: Quick list of Smoky Mountains waterfalls
1. Cataract Falls, TN
Super short hike near the Sugarlands Visitor Center. It’s around a 15 minute drive from Gatlinburg to the trailhead.
2. Rainbow Falls, TN
Roaring Fork waterfalls
One of the most popular waterfall hikes in the Smokies. This is just before the start of the one way road on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. It’s around a 15 minute drive from Gatlinburg to the trailhead.
3. Baskins Creek Falls, TN
Roaring Fork waterfalls
These are less visited waterfalls on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. It’s around a 15 minute drive from Gatlinburg to the trailhead. See more about these Smoky Mountains waterfalls: Baskins Creek Falls Trail
4. Grotto Falls, TN
Roaring Fork waterfalls
These are popular waterfalls on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. It’s around a 20 minute drive from Gatlinburg to the trailhead. See more about these Smoky Mountains waterfalls: Grotto Falls trail
5. Laurel Falls, TN
These are popular waterfalls to visit on the way to the scenic drive on Little River Road. It’s around a 20 minute drive from Gatlinburg to the trailhead. See more about these Smoky Mountains waterfalls: Laurel Falls Trail
6. Abrams Falls, TN
Cades Cove waterfalls
These are one of the most popular waterfalls in the Smokies, located on the popular scenic drive of Cades Cove Loop Road. It’s around a 1.5 hour drive from Gatlinburg to the trailhead. See more about these Smoky Mountains waterfalls: Abrams Falls
7. Hen Wallow Falls, TN
Cosby waterfalls
These are less visited waterfalls in the Smokies. It’s around a 30 minute drive from Gatlinburg to the trailhead. See more about this Smoky Mountains waterfalls: Hen Wallow Falls
8. Midnight Hole, NC
This is located in a slightly less visited area of the national park compared to other popular areas. It’s around a 1 hour drive from Gatlinburg to the trailhead. See more about this Smoky Mountains waterfalls: Midnight Hole
9. Mouse Creek Falls, NC
These waterfalls are located further along on the same trail you take to get to Midnight Hole. See more about this Smoky Mountains waterfalls: Mouse Creek Falls
10. Juney Whank Falls, NC
Deep Creek waterfalls
You can make this a part of a waterfall hike to see 3 waterfalls, the other waterfalls next on the list. It’s around a 1.5 hour drive from Gatlinburg to the trailhead of these Deep Creek waterfalls. See more about this Smoky Mountains waterfalls: Juney Whank Falls
11. Tom Branch Falls, NC
Deep Creek waterfalls
You can continue on a trail from Juney Whank Falls, or you can go straight to Tom Branch Falls for an easy waterfall hike. You can also float down the river to see these waterfalls on a tube. See more about this Smoky Mountains waterfalls: Tom Branch Falls
12. Indian Creek Falls, NC
Deep Creek waterfalls
These waterfalls are located further along on the same trail you take to get to Tom Branch Falls. See more about this Smoky Mountains waterfalls: Indian Creek Falls
See more about the Smoky Mountains:
- The best of hiking in the Smoky Mountains (that don’t include waterfalls)
- Hiking to the highest point in the Smoky Mountains
- Hiking to the 3rd highest point in the Smoky Mountains
- The big list of things to do in the Smoky Mountains
- Driving the scenic route from Gatlinburg to Clingmans Dome
- Driving the slow scenic route from Gatlinburg to Cades Cove
HAPPY WATERFALL HIKING IN THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS!
There are partner websites included in this post. I may earn a commission.