Area Attractions & Local Information

Waterfall Walks in the Smokies:

Safety First! Several fatalities and numerous injuries have resulted from people climbing on rocks near waterfalls.  These rocks are very slippery due to algae and mist.  Please avoid the temptation to climb to the tops of waterfalls.  Please closely supervise children at all times!!  Hike to waterfalls in the Great smoky Mountain National Park vary in difficulty from easy to strenuous.  A person’s physical condition should be access before making any mountain climb. With footwear being the most important equipment for day hiking to waterfalls others include a whistle, dry socks, rain gear, drinking water, high energy food, trail maps, matches, flashlight and first aid kit.  Most people hiking in the mountains travel at approximately 1-2 miles per hour.  Be sure to leave yourself plenty of time to complete your hike before dark and let someone know beforehand your schedule and your route so they can notify park officials if your are overdue.  Please stay on established trails at all times.  If you become lost, stop and stay where you are. Rescue teams will search trails first.

·      Abrams Falls: Access Trail: Abrams Falls, Trailhead: 2.5 miles: The turnoff for the trailhead is located past stop #10 on Cades Cove Loop.  The turnoff is signed.  Highlights of Abrams Falls include its large volume of water and the long, deep, picturesque pool at its base.  Due to undertow, swimming in the pool at the base of the Abrams Falls is extremely dangerous.  The trail to Abrams Falls traverses pine-oak forest on the ridges and hemlock and rhododendron forest along the creek.  Abrams Falls and Abrams creek are named for Cherokee chief Abram or Abraham whose village once stood several miles downstream.

·      Grotto Falls: Access Trail: Trillium Gap, Trailhead: 1.3 miles: From the parkway in Gatlinburg, turn at traffic light #8 and follow Historic Nature Tail into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Take Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail (no RVs or trailers; closed in winter) to stop #5 where there is a large parking area.  Trillium Gap Trail meanders through and old-growth hemlock forest and actually runs behind Grotto Falls.  The cool, moist environment near Grotto Falls is ideal for salamanders and summer hikers.

·      Hen Wallow Falls: Access Trail: Gabes Mountain, Trailhead: 2.1 miles: Park in the designated hiker parking area at Cosby Picnic Area (near the entrance to Cosby campground).  Then back-track on foot approximately 100 yard along the road to the signed start of the Gabes Mountain Trail.  The trip to Hen Wallow Falls is a pleasant walk through hemlock and rhododendron forest.  A signed side trail leads to the base of the falls by way of steep switch-backs.  Hen Wallow Creek, only two feet wide at the top of Hen Wallow Falls, fans out to 20′ at the base. Hikers continuing on the Gabes Mountain Tail beyond the falls can enjoy an impressive old-growth forest.

·      Indian Creek/ Tom Branch Fall: Access Trail Deep Creek/ Indian Creek, Trailhead: 0.1 miles: Follow the signs through downtown Bryson City, North Carolina to Deep Creek Campground.  Continue past the campground to the trailhead at the end of Deep Creek Road.  Walk Deep Creek Trail 0.7 miles to the junction with Indian Creek Trail.  On your way you can view elegant Tom Branch Falls located on the far side of Deep Creek. Turn right at the junction with Indian Creek Trail and proceed approximately 200′ to Indian Creek Falls.

·      Juney Whank Falls: Access Trail: Juney Whank Falls Trail Trailhead, Trailhead: 0.3 miles: Follow the signs through downtown Bryson City, North Carolina to Deep Creek Campground.  Continue past the campground to the trail head at the end of Deep Creek Road.  Backtrack on foot 0.1 mile along the road to the trail.  Juney Whank Falls is divided into an upper and lower section.  Both can be viewed from the footbridge which crosses Juney Whank Branch at the falls.  The stream and falls are said to be named after a Mr. Junaluska “Juney” Whank, who bay be buried in the area.

·      Laurel Falls: Access Trail: Laurel Falls Trail, Trailhead: 1.3 miles: From Sugarlands Visitor Center, turn towards Cades Cove on Little River Road and drive 3.5 miles to the trailhead where there are parking areas on both sides of the road.  Laurel Falls is the most popular trail because it is paved and parking is limited.  Laurel Falls Trail is especially busy on weekends year-round and all week long in the vacation summer months.  Because Laurel Falls Trail is paved, it is suitable for strollers.  Laurel Branch and Laurel Falls are named for the mountain laurel, an evergreen shrub which blooms along the trail and near the falls in May.

·      Mingo Falls: Access Trail: Pigeon Creek Trail, Trailhead: 0.2 mile, From Oconaluftee Visitor Center, drive south toward Cherokee, North Carolina on US 441 and take the second left onto Big cove Road.  At the first stop sign, turn left and drive 4.5 miles to Mingo Falls Campground, where the trail begins.  Mingo Falls is on the Cherokee Indian Reservation (Qualla Boundary), just outside The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. No special permits are required for access to the Cherokee Indian Reservation.  Mingo Falls is one of the tallest and most spectacular in the southern Appalachian Mountains.

·     Mouse Creek Falls: Access Trail: Big Creek Trail, Trailhead: 2.0 miles, exit I-40 at Waterville Road (#451). Turn left after crossing the Pigeon River and proceed 2.3 miles to an intersection.  Continue straight, past the ranger station, to a large parking area at road’s end.  Big Creek Trail follows an old railroad grade used to haul lumber out of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park during the logging boom at the start of the 20^th century. At 1.4 miles the trail passes Midnight Hole, a deep, picturesque pool below a 6′ falls.  At 2.1 miles a short side trail on the left leads to a bench where hikers can rest and view Mouse creek Falls which is on the far side of Big Creek.

·      Rainbow Falls: Access Trail: Rainbow Falls Trail, Trailhead: 2.8 miles, from the parkway in Gatlinburg, turn at traffic light #8 and follow Historic Nature Trail into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Continue past the Noah “Bud” Ogle homestead to the clearly signed Rainbow Falls parking area. (This road will also take you to Cherokee Orchard Motor Nature Trail, great for auto touring). Between trailhead and falls, Rainbow Falls Trail gains about 1,500′ in elevation.  A rainbow produced by mist form the falls is visible on sunny afternoons.  During extended winter cold spells, an impressive ice formation builds around the falls.  The Rainbow Falls Trail continues for approximately 4 miles beyond the falls to the summit of Mt. Le Conte.

·      Ramsey Cascades: Access Trail: Ramsey Cascades Trail, Trailhead: 4.0 miles, drive six miles east of Gatlinburg on Highway 321 and turn at the Greenbrier entrance to the park.  Follow the signs 4.7 miles to the trailhead. The Ramsey Cascades Trail gains over 2,000′ in elevation over its 4 mile course.  It follows rushing rivers and streams for much of its length.  The last 2 miles pass through old-growth cove hardwood forest with large tuliptrees, basswoods, silverbells, and yellow birches.   Ramsey Cascades is the tallest waterfall in the park and one of the most spectacular.  Do not attempt to climb to the top of waterfalls.  Several people have been killed trying to do so.