Top Things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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10 Waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park That You Shouldn't Miss
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1. West Prong Falls
2. Spruce Flats Falls
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 130 reviews
Reviewed By Alex0518 - Fort Mitchell, United States
A moderate trail. Rocks and stumps so watch your step. A couple of nice views along your hike. Somehow uphill both ways lol. Beautiful waterfall makes a perfect place to cool off and have a snack. Not as trafficed as some of the other Smoky Mountain trails
3. Ramsey Cascades
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 172 reviews
Reviewed By Travel_Addict_Cyprus - Michigan, United States
We loved this trail! Beautiful scenery on the way to the Ramsey Cascades, with the reward of the stunning waterfall at the end! This trail is in the Greenbrier area of the park. While researching this trail, i saw that it was described as an 8.0 mile RT trail and rated moderately strenuous. It seemed longer than 8 miles to me, and my fitness app showed close to 10 miles, so i am not sure if the 8 miles is accurate. Regarding the difficulty level, I would say it is moderate, because the 2,190 feet of elevation gain is spread over a long distance (approx 4 miles). The road to the trailhead is a bit rough, with some pot holes, but nothing too bad; just drive carefully to the end of the dirt road and you will find the parking area. As at most trailheads, if the lot is full you can turn around and park along the side of the road. Beautiful scenery along the trail, which starts out very easy. Even though it's a steady uphill, it's a gradual climb that only gets steep the last mile and a half. At the sign that says there's 2.5m to the Falls, you'll start a more difficult ascent, with the terrain being rocky and rooted. You will cross a couple of foot bridges over the stream. The last 1.5 miles is pretty steep and rocky, but definitely doable by anyone in average shape. Once you reach the waterfall, the rocks are slippery, so watch your step. If you plan to stay a while and enjoy the waterfall, make sure you have a jacket; it's cold up there. I brought a hiking stick but the rest of my family did not and had no issues.
4. Laurel Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,496 reviews
Reviewed By PrimeSteak86 - Gatlinburg, United States
There are a number of beautiful waterfalls throughout the Smokies, but few are as easy to hike to as Laurel Falls. The trailhead is located about 4 miles SW of Gatlinburg. Take a Right off 441 beside Sugarland visitors center, and you’ll be to the trailhead in only about 5 mins. It’s just about 1/2 mile before the Elkmont Campground. Parking stays packed here daily, especially in peak seasons. So It’s best to get an early start; while the bulk of tourists are still in town shoveling pancakes. Though there is a slight up n down elevation along this easy hike, the trail is paved, and quite easy to trek(I’ve seen 4 yr olds make it up n back with relative ease)... You’ll pass several folks with strollers pushing along as well. Laurel Falls is only a about a mile or so up, and the same coming down. The falls themselves aren’t the tallest or most majestic in the Smokies, but they do have a magnetism to them: making it a very popular photo spot. There’s a wooden bridge here that serves up some nice photo opportunities too. Note: Please be careful climbing in or around the falls; especially children. The rocks in this area are very slick; have been the cause of serious injuries, and sadly, even deaths. I’d honestly rate the falls themselves at about a 4.5 overall; especially when compared to other waterfalls in the Smokies: But the simplicity of getting here, allowing folks of all ages to enjoy their beauty, I’m compelled to rate them at a 5.... Enjoy your easy hike
5. Abrams Falls Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 479 reviews
Reviewed By wetravelalot007 - Rossville, United States
Our hiking app said we went 5.73 miles round trip on this out and back trail. It took us 2 hours and 22 minutes to complete our hike. There are three ascents and descents on this trail totaling 1.44 miles of hill climbing up to a gain in elevation of 795 feet. After hiking the Rainbow Falls Trail recently this trail was easy in comparison. It is located in the Cades Cove loop area. So you will be committed to driving the Cades Cove loop when committing to this hike. The falls themselves are interesting. You can actually get really close to them and get your pictures. There is a lot of water volume going over these falls. We were grateful for our hiking boots. There are a lot of roots and rocky portions of this trail so solid footwear would be recommended, This is an enjoyable hike. One that we feel most level of hikers will have little trouble completing.
6. Cataract Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 313 reviews
Reviewed By morguegurl - Ocean Springs, United States
In our opinion, this is the best family friendly trail we have completed in the area, with the best payoff at the end. The trail is fairly accessible for strollers, and we saw tons of people with babies and toddlers making this hike. It is an easy hike, short round trip, bridges over small waterways, informational signs with fun facts about local vegetation along the way, and it has a waterfall at the end! It doesn’t get much better than that for kids. This is a great place to get your feet wet with hiking, especially if it is your first time hiking with your kids. To give you an idea of how much my kids loved this hike, ages 5 and 12, we hiked it in the pouring rain (not intentionally, of course), and they still had an absolute blast. We drove back to our cabin soaking wet with smiles on our faces!
7. Meigs Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 71 reviews
Reviewed By Therese62 - Saint Louis, United States
Easy pull off from the park road, parking lot can get crowded. 30 second walk to overlook-beautiful!
8. Hen Wallow Water Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 89 reviews
Reviewed By 937barrym - Cordova, United States
Hen Wallow Falls is a side trail off of Gabe's Mtn Trail and is a 4.5-mile out and back hike. As soon as you step off from the trailhead (about 40-yards west of the Cosby picnic area) you are instantly enveloped in the forest; Hemlock evergreens and the winter spins of large Tulip Poplars are everywhere, but the thing that catches one's eye are the abundance of Rhododendron. The trail is a steady, gradual, uphill climb, gaining 920-ft over the distance of 2.1-miles. There are large tree roots and stones over much of the trail; all water crossings have either some type of bridge or stones to aid in crossing. The park guide list the hike as moderate in difficulty; I would think anyone in decent shape could easily complete the hike. We encountered a dozen groups while on the hike, but this was only in passing and we always were able to travel at our own pace with the feeling for the most part, that we were the only ones on the trail. At the 2.1-mile marker there is a wooden sign directing you to a descending trail on the right to Hen Wallow Falls. This is the steepest part of the hike down to the base of the falls. As usual, you hear the falls well before you see them, but eventually you round a corner on the path and there is the waterfall. Hen Wallow Falls are listed as 90-ft high. It said to be 2-ft wide at the top where Hen Wallow Creek becomes the falls and fans out to about 20-ft at the base of the falls. With the exception of the hike up from Hen Wallow Falls to the trail junction the return trip is all downhill. Expect to devote NLT 3-hours for the hike.
9. Huskey Branch Falls
10. Baskins Creek Falls
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 74 reviews
Reviewed By FLWOOKIE - Indialantic, United States
Today we hiked up to Baskins Creek Falls and it was beautiful. The waterfalls are definitely worth the hike and are very underrated. The hike is very strenuous though. There is a lot of uphill sections. I highly recommend this hike for people in good shape!
