15 Stunning Great Smoky Mountain Waterfalls

The sheer number of Great Smoky Mountain waterfalls draws millions of visitors to Tennessee and North Carolina every year. It can be a bit overwhelming deciding where to start, so we wrote this guide detailing 15 of the best. If you’re up for a great waterfall hike, stick around.

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) is one of those parks you can visit over and over again and never have the same experience twice. Much like Yosemite and Glacier. 

Perhaps that’s why it’s consistently the most visited national park in the country…by a LOT. GSMNP welcomes at least 12 million visitors a year, whereas runner-up Zion draws ‘just’ five million.

Of course, it could also be easy accessibility. Just an hour from endless fun things to do in Knoxville and Asheville, you can chase waterfalls in the Smokies even if you only have a few hours.

The park’s 522,427 acres span both Tennessee and North Carolina and it’s among the largest protected areas in the eastern US. It’s also a giant temperate rainforest, with some areas receiving 90-plus inches of rain annually (the only place in the Lower 48 that gets more than the PNW!).

Add in high elevation, endless rolling valleys, and significant humidity and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a myriad of Smoky Mountain waterfalls. In fact, there are well over 100 waterfalls in the Great Smokies, many of them unnamed. The park alone has at least 18!

Luckily, there are over 800 miles of hiking trails, including 70 miles of the Appalachian Trail, in GSMNP. Whether you prefer easy hikes in the Smokies or you’re game for a rugged backcountry trek, there are plenty of options for chasing waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains.

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Best Time to See Smoky Mountain Waterfalls

Late spring, summer, and early fall are the best times to see Great Smoky Mountain waterfalls. They’re primarily fed by rainfall, so ideally, you want to visit during rainier months—and in particular, a couple of days after a big rain. This is when the falls really thunder!

The park sees the most rain from June through September, making it an ideal time to enjoy hiking to waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains. May is also excellent for spotting wildflowers along trails. 

Smoky Mountain Waterfalls Map

ATTENTION DOG PARENTS: Dogs are NOT allowed on any trails to Smoky Mountain waterfalls. Leashed dogs are welcome only in campgrounds and on roads, plus two paved paths: the Gatlinburg Trail and Oconaluftee River Trail. 

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Must-see Waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains

There are dozens of Smoky Mountain waterfalls to discover, ranging from roadside falls to hidden ones requiring a serious trek.

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1. Abrams Falls

• Waterfall height: 20 feet
• Trail length + difficulty: 5.2 miles; moderate
• Location: Cades Cove
• TRAIL DETAILS

Nestled into the popular Cades Cove area, Abrams Falls is one of the best-known Great Smoky Mountain waterfalls. It’s not even close to the tallest waterfalls in the Smokies, but its tremendous volumesets it apart.

Abrams Falls flows year-round and many people consider the trail one of the most scenic hikes in the park. Indeed, the 5.2-mile roundtrip trail along a ridge closely follows Abrams Creek and passes through a dense forest of pine, oak, and hemlock trees.

We hiked this trail the first week of November and the fall colors were absolutely spectacular! In late spring, I imagine it’s covered by a lush green canopy and full of blooming wildflowers.

Because the Abrams Falls trail is so scenic, it feels shorter than five miles (honest!). Right after reaching 2.5 miles in, look to your left for the short side trail leading to the falls.

You’ll cross a footbridge and then arrive at a rocky beach area on the far side of the waterfall’s pool. This enormous pool is another distinguishing factor that makes Abrams Falls one of the most popular Smoky Mountain waterfalls.

While it looks pristine and inviting, DO NOT swim in the pool!

Over 30 people have died here since 1971, a combination of drowning and slipping. In fact, Backpacker Magazine named Abrams Falls one of the most dangerous hikes in America — more than once.

2. Baskins Creek Falls

• Waterfall height: 40 feet
• Trail length + difficulty: 3.1 miles; easy to moderate
• Location: Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
• TRAIL DETAILS

One of the best waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains has to be Baskins Creek Falls. 

While Great Smoky Mountains is the most visited national park in the US, there are a few waterfalls you may be able to have all to yourself. Baskins Creek Falls is one of those rare places! 

During a long weekend in the Smoky Mountains, a hike to this refreshing waterfall is a must. Although there are two routes, start your hike from the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.

This option starts out with beautiful mountain views before descending toward Baskins Creek. The alternative route is significantly more difficult (steeper), following Rainbow Falls.

At 1.3 miles in, you’ll see a junction. Stay left to see the falls. The hike is about 3.2 miles long and considered moderately difficult with 950 feet in elevation gain. Plan to spend a few hours hiking the roundtrip. 

This 40-foot waterfall flows year-round and is best visited in the summertime so you can enjoy the lovely wildflowers along the trail. 

The best part about Baskins Creek Falls is the possibility of having it all to yourselves! While there are plenty of popular Smoky Mountain waterfalls, the chance to have a little oasis of your own is rare. 

So if you want more of a hidden gem waterfall hike, opt for Baskins Creek Falls!

Contributed by Kat from World Wide Honeymoon

3. Cataract Falls

• Waterfall height: 25 feet
• Trail length + difficulty: 0.75 miles; easy
• Location: Near Sugarland Visitor Center
• TRAIL DETAILS

Cataract Falls is a beautiful, 25-foot waterfall that can easily be hiked on a flat, short 1-mile round-trip trail. It’s easy to understand why it’s one of the most popular Great Smoky Mountain waterfalls!

This is an excellent trail for those looking for a quick hike or beginner hikers, seniors, or families visiting the Smoky Mountains with kids.

The Cataract Falls Trail is conveniently located two miles from the park’s Gatlinburg entrance.

Park at the Sugarlands Visitor Center, the most popular one in GSMNP. It’s a great place to pick up maps of other waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains, look at exhibits, and browse the gift shop.

Cataract Falls Trail begins at the concrete path to the left of the Visitor Center, but quickly turns to gravel when it becomes the Fighting Creek Nature Trail. There are signs on the trail explaining the many different trees and plants growing in this area.

A few bridges cross over Fighting Creek, beautiful spots to take pictures while enjoying the peaceful sounds of the rippling streams.

Cataract Falls is one of the Smoky Mountain waterfalls that flows year-round, so it’s great to visit any time of year.

It’s most spectacular after rainfall and in fact, this particular waterfall might look a little unimpressive if visiting during dryer periods. Cataract Falls is still one of the best easy hikes in the Smokies, even during dry periods.

Contributed by Kim from Traveling Swansons

4. Grotto Falls

• Waterfall height: 25 feet
• Trail length + difficulty: 2.6 miles; easy
• Location: Trillium Gap Trail
• TRAIL DETAILS

One of the best waterfall hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Grotto Falls. To reach this Smoky Mountain waterfall, there’s a moderate 2.6-mile out-and-back hike, which takes two to three hours.

The Grotto Falls trailhead access is off the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Notably, RVs and larger vehicles are not allowed on this road. To get to the trailhead, park at stop #5 and start hiking on the Trillium Gap Trail.

The hike into Grotto Falls is mostly uphill, gaining about 544 feet in elevation. It isn’t too bad and despite the gradual uphill climb, the trail is pretty smooth and even, making it one of the best easy hikes in the Smokies.

Grotto Falls is a rarity among Smoky Mountain waterfalls — you can actually go behind it! The trail goes behind the 25-foot waterfall, which is really cool! You can also play in the water at the bottom of the falls and look for salamanders. The water isn’t deep enough to swim, but you can wade.

Summer and fall are the best times to hike to Grotto Falls. In the summer, the warmer weather lets you enjoy the water at the bottom of the falls. Fall is also a great time to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park, when there’s beautiful fall foliage to enjoy.

Contributed by Candice from CS Ginger (@csginger)

5. Hen Wallow Falls

• Waterfall height: 90 feet
• Trail length + difficulty: 4.4 miles; moderate
• Location: Cosby
• TRAIL DETAILS

90-foot Hen Wallow Falls is one of the tallest Smoky Mountain waterfalls. It’s also a horsetail fan waterfall (sometimes called just a horsetail), meaning it starts out narrow and “fans” out against the rock toward the bottom.

In this case, Hen Wallow Falls is just two feet across its top but fans out to nearly 20 feet. The falls freeze with dramatic ice formations in the winter and because its lip is so narrow, sometimes slows to a trickle in drier seasons.

Hen Wallow Falls is stunning, but it isn’t one of the waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains that roars all year.

To reach Hen Wallow Falls, start at Cosby Campground, one of the best National Park campgrounds. From there, hike Gabes Mountain Trail up the super approachable-sounding Snake Den Mountain.

While the trail isn’t particularly difficult, it does start to climb uphill almost immediately.

Rock Creek appears pretty quickly and you’ll cross it half a mile in. One mile into the hike, you’ll encounter a (very) faint side trail to your right.

Legend says there’s a gravesite here, but I can’t confirm that – we weren’t quite brave enough to find out for ourselves! There are ruins from an old homestead just up ahead on the left, though, so it may very well be true.

The trail is rough and rocky, but the surrounding forest of poplar trees, ferns, and rhododendron is just as beautiful and lush as other parts of the Smokies.

Hen Wallow Falls appears at 2.1 miles, down a short but steep access trail. Spend some time at the waterfall’s pool looking for salamanders and don’t miss the small cave to the right!

6. Indian Creek Falls & Toms Branch Falls

• Waterfall height: 60 feet (Toms Branch) and 25 feet (Indian Creek)
• Trail length + difficulty: 1.6 miles; easy
• Location: Deep Creek
• TRAIL DETAILS

When you think about easy hikes in the Smokies, it’s hard to find one that packs more of a punch than Indian Creek and Toms Branch Falls. In less than two easygoing miles in the Deep Creek area, you’ll visit both of these Smoky Mountain waterfalls.

Often referred to as ‘Waterfall Loop,’ the Deep Creek loop has several short hikes leading to THREE stunning waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains: Indian Creek Falls, Toms Branch Falls, and Juney Whank Falls (more on that below).

Start at the Deep Creek Trailhead, in the large parking lot across from Deep Creek Campground. This is on the North Carolina side of GSMNP.

Deep Creek Trail is wide and easy, suitable for hikers of any experience level. If you have the opportunity, hike it in late spring — the wildflowers on the trail are phenomenal!

The trail’s first payoff comes quickly: just 3/10 of a mile in, you’ll come to Toms Branch Falls with its multi-tiered cascades. There are several benches here if you’d like to marvel at the falls before continuing on.

To get to Indian Creek Falls, go another half-mile and take a right onto Indian Creek Trail. Almost immediately, you’ll see the short access trail on your left, which takes you downhill to a little cove and the base of the falls.

From here, you can either turn back the way you came or continue on Indian Creek Trail to the Loop Trail, part of the 4.4-mile Deep Creek-Indian Creek Loop.

If you head back toward Toms Branch Falls, you can also go right on the Horse Trail, which takes you to Juney Whank Falls. This is part of the 2.4-mile Three Waterfalls Loop, but note that you can also access Juney Whank Falls from the trailhead parking lot.

7. Juney Whank Falls

• Waterfall height: 90 feet
• Trail length + difficulty: 0.6 miles; easy to moderate (it’s steep)
• Location: Deep Creek
• TRAIL DETAILS

Juney Whank Falls is well-known as one of the best easy-ish, short hikes in the Smokies with a big payoff.

There are multiple ways to access Juney Whank Falls. Starting from the Deep Creek trailhead parking area (the same one used to access Indian Creek Falls and Toms Branch Falls, two other popular Smoky Mountain waterfalls), it’s just a 0.3-mile hike.

While short, it’s not necessarily “sweet” — the trail involves a steep uphill climb.

You can also get to Juney Whank Falls from two nearby loop trails, 4.4-mile Deep Creek-Indian Loop or the 2.4-mile, appropriately-named Three Waterfalls Loop.

Once you get to the falls, sit on the benches built into the footbridge and enjoy the up-close waterfall view. The bridge acts as a divider, crossing the falls and marking its upper and lower sections.

Spending time on the North Carolina side of the Smokies? If you’re looking for other family-friendly hikes, check out Wash Hollow Falls and Sam Branch Falls, a waterfall hike near Sylva, NC.

The trail is just 30 minutes or so from Deep Creek, and far enough off the beaten path that you’ll ditch the crowds!

8. Laurel Falls

• Waterfall height: 80 feet
• Trail length + difficulty: 2.6 miles; easy to moderate
• Location: Little River Road
• TRAIL DETAILS

Arguably among the most popular waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains (maybe THE most popular), Laurel Falls is a must on any visit to the park.

The iconic waterfall is divided into two picture-perfect sections, an upper falls and a lower. A concrete bridge at the base of the upper falls provides access from one side to the other. Plus, it makes for a unique photo op!

The Laurel Falls trailhead starts off paved (it’s rough, though, so leave the strollers and wheelchairs behind) and is fairly straightforward for the 1.3 miles to the waterfall.

There are several short but steep sections, but nothing at all unmanageable, even for the most inexperienced hikers. In fact, this is one of the best short hikes in the Smokies for all abilities.

This is one of the most popular destinations in GSMNP year-round, so come prepared with plenty of patience. Parking is often difficult to find and once you make it to Laurel Falls, you certainly won’t have them to yourself. They’re well worth the visit, but know exactly what you’re getting into.

If you’re hoping to avoid crowds, we recommend one of the lesser-known Smoky Mountain waterfalls, like Upper Meigs Falls or Baskins Creek Falls.

9. Lynn Camp Prong Cascades

• Waterfall height: 35-foot cascade
• Trail length + difficulty: 1.3 miles; easy
• Location: Tremont
• TRAIL DETAILS

Looking for a hidden gem among Great Smoky Mountain waterfalls? Here it is!

Lynn Camp Prong Cascades is an impressive multi-tiered waterfall in a particularly picturesque section of GSMNP. As a bonus, it definitely qualifies as one of the best short hikes in the Smokies.

The reason Lynn Camp Prong Cascades remains somewhat of a secret is likely its location. Far from many of the most popular waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains, this one is down Tremont Road, a side road off of perpetually-jam-packed Laurel Creek Road on the way to Cades Cove.

Tremont Road leads to the Great Smoky Mountains Institute (a worthy stop in and of itself), so it’s safe to assume that most people simply don’t realize there’s any hiking back here, much less waterfalls.

Three miles past theinstitute, Upper Tremont Road (now a dirt road) dead-ends at the parking area and trailhead for Middle Prong Trail. Park and begin your hike to Lynn Camp Prong Cascades by crossing the long iron footbridge. This trail was once an old logging road, so it’s wide and level.

You’ll quickly come to a fork; bear left to keep following the river. At just 0.4 miles in, you’ll see Lower Lynn Camp Prong Cascades/Falls. A bench nearby provides an excellent viewpoint.

You can get closer to the falls, but be aware that it means scrambling downhill across wet, slippery rocks. Be extremely careful!

From the lower falls, continue on for a quarter-mile (short, yes, but steep!) to the upper cascades. These gorgeous stair-stepped cascades are what most people consider the “real” falls of Lynn Camp Prong Cascades.

As you make your way toward Lynn Camp Prong Cascades from the Institute, stop at one of the pull-offs along Tremont Road. It follows the Middle Prong of the Little River, where there are several swimming holes a short walk from the pulloffs.

10. Meigs Cascade/Upper Meigs Falls

• Waterfall height: 18 feet
• Trail length + difficulty: 3.5 miles; moderate
• Location: Townsend
• TRAIL DETAILS

The hike to Meigs Cascade is 3.5 miles roundtrip, ultimately taking you to an 18-foot waterfall well away from the typical crowds in the Smokies.  

Note: people refer to this Smoky Mountain waterfall as both Meigs Cascade and Upper Meigs Falls. Both are correct, but Meigs Falls (confusing, we know!!) is actually a different waterfall altogether.

Start at The Sinks Bridge in Townsend and look for the sign for Meigs Creek Trail. Be sure to stop and take in the views of The Sinks (another set of extremely popular waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains) before getting started.

The small parking lot is almost always busy, but most people just come to see The Sinks and leave — they don’t actually continue onto the hike to Upper Meigs Falls. Still, start early for (hopefully!) less stressful parking.

While I wouldn’t necessarily classify this as one of the short hikes in the Smokies, it’s moderate, both gaining and losing elevation so that it never feels too strenuous.

The trail eventually makes its way to a creek. You’ll cross through water several times with no bridges; trekking poles and waterproof hiking boots make the trail more enjoyable.

After a mile and a half or so, keep an eye out for Meigs Cascade on your right. The falls aren’t directly on the trail, so scramble down a bit to reach the base.

Meigs Cascade is best in summer and fall since the waterfall flows all year. In spring, the creek is sometimes impassable due to heavy rain.

After your Smoky Mountains waterfall hike, you can take a dip in the swimming hole at The Sinks or continue 1.1 miles down the road to Meigs Falls. There is no official trail for Meigs Falls, but fortunately, it’s easily viewable from the road.

Getting away from crowds in GSMNP can be challenging, especially when you’re chasing Smoky Mountain waterfalls. Meigs Creek Trail to Meigs Cascade gets you away from them for a more peaceful hike. 

Contributed by Jami from Celiac Travel Pack

11. Mingo Falls

• Waterfall height: 120 feet
• Trail length + difficulty: 0.4 miles round-trip; strenuous
• Location: Cherokee
• TRAIL DETAILS

A short but strenuous quarter-mile hike results in a big payoff with Mingo Falls, one of the most impressive Great Smoky Mountain waterfalls.

The National Park Service actually refers to the 120-foot horsetail falls as “one of the tallest and most spectacular in the southern Appalachians.”

Start on the Pigeon Creek Trail at Mingo Falls Campground, then climb the 161 grueling steps to the base of the falls. It’s tough but well worth it, with a far greater reward than most other short hikes in the Smokies.

It’s easy to see why many people refer to this trail as the Smokies’ own Stairway to Heaven!

Mingo Falls is technically located just outside the official park boundary near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center on the Cherokee Indian Reservation in North Carolina — which is why it’s not considered the tallest in the park. 

Fun fact: “Mingo” is the Cherokee word for “big bear,” and Mingo Falls is sometimes referred to as Big Bear Falls.

12. Mouse Creek Falls

• Waterfall height: 45 feet
• Trail length + difficulty: 4.2 miles; moderate
• Location: Big Creek
• TRAIL DETAILS

If you’re looking for easy hikes in the Smokies, it’s hard to do much better than Mouse Creek Falls.

At 4.2 miles roundtrip, Big Creek Trail isn’t the shortest in GSMNP, but it is notably smooth and level, with a very gradual incline. This is because it was a railroad grade used by a logging company in the early 1900s, a path for transporting lumber.

The trail starts at Big Creek Campground, where there’s a decent-sized parking lot and restrooms. You’ll spend the first stretch of the hike on a ridge high above Big Creek, then the trail drops down and runs parallel to it for the duration.

At 1.4 miles in, you’ll pass Midnight Hole, a magnificent swimming hole at the base of an unnamed 6-foot waterfall. Feel free to take a dip, but this isn’t your destination, just a bonus.

NOTE: There are no signs around Midnight Hole and depending on the time of year, there may be several small cascades flowing. Start tracking distance at the trailhead so you know when to look for the swimming hole.

Continue on for another 0.6 miles to Mouse Creek Falls. This Smoky Mountain waterfall is not easily visible from the trail, but once you see the horse rail on your left, look for the short access trail to the viewing area.

There are benches and several places to hang out here, so bring a snack or a trail beer.

Insider tip: If you continue past Mouse Creek Falls on Big Creek Trail for another quarter-mile, you’ll come to an iron bridge crossing over Big Creek. Under the bridge, there’s a small cascade waterfall and a pristine pool that’s popular for trout fishing.

13. Rainbow Falls

• Waterfall height: 80 feet
• Trail length + difficulty: 5.4 miles; moderate to strenuous
• Location: Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
• TRAIL DETAILS

Cascading gracefully 80 feet straight down, Rainbow Falls is the tallest single-drop waterfall in the Smoky Mountains (Ramsey Cascades, below, is the tallest overall). The falls get their name from the frequent rainbows that appear in the mist on sunny days.

One of six trails leading to the summit of Mount LeConte — and arguably the most popular — Rainbow Falls is a somewhat strenuous 5.4-mile roundtrip hike.

It’s one of the more technical trails in the park, gaining 1,500 feet in elevation rather quickly. It’s also notoriously slippery, with several switchbacks.

Note: this trail, in particular, can be extremely deceiving when it comes to “shortcuts.” Most are much steeper and more technical than simply staying on the original trail.

You’ll start out by hiking through a boulder field for close to a mile. The Rainbow Falls trail is one of the oldest in the park and, while well-trodden, it’s very uneven and rocky in some places.

1.5 miles in, you’ll cross the first of two picturesque footbridges; the second comes just before Rainbow Falls.

The falls are set back some distance from the trail, so you’ll need to navigate some boulders and large tree roots to get the best view. On the plus side, this makes for amazing photo-ops and there are plenty of places to enjoy a snack while you enjoy the view!

If you wish to continue on to Mount LeConte, bypass the falls and hike for another four miles.

While magically beautiful, know that this excessive mist also makes Rainbow Falls notably more dangerous than many other Smoky Mountain waterfalls. Don’t climb or play on the rocks!

Like other popular waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains, the Rainbow Falls parking lot often fills up early. You may have to park along one of the park roads; just keep in mind this will add to your total distance.

14. Ramsey Cascades

• Waterfall height: 100 feet
• Trail length + difficulty: 8 miles; strenuous
• Location: Greenbrier
• TRAIL DETAILS

Sometimes also spelled Ramsay Cascades, this is the tallest of all Smoky Mountain waterfalls.

At over 100 feet tall, Ramsey Cascades is also one of the most remote and difficult-to-reach waterfalls in the park. If you’re hoping for easy hikes in the Smokies, this isn’t it. The reward is well worth it, however.

Nestled in the beautiful, heavily wooded Greenbrier area, Ramsey Cascades is in a rugged canyon tucked between two impressive peaks, Old Black and Mount Guyot, the second-tallest mountain in the Smokies at 6,621 feet.

The first 1.5 miles of the trail is a level gravel road, deceiving hikers into thinking this isn’t so bad after all. Keep in mind, though, that you’ll gain about 2,200 feet of elevation in just four miles. The last one-third of a mile is also notoriously rugged.

At the 1.5-mile mark, the trail enters a spectacular old-growth forest, home to many of the largest trees in the park. From here, follow the Ramsey Prong of the Middle Prong of the Little Pigeon River, with many small cascades along the way.

3.6 miles in, you’ll cross a long, narrow, and rather tall footbridge crossing the creek. It’s on the other side of this bridge that the terrain becomes treacherous. You’ll have to navigate gnarly tree roots, scramble up some boulders, and climb steep, uneven rock steps.

It’s right about this time that I start asking myself why I hike and wondering whose terrible idea this was. Fortunately, spectacular Ramsey Cascades presents itself, with its multiple tiers of graceful stair-stepped cascades and a small pool. Mercifully, the hike out is almost all downhill.

15. Spruce Flats Falls

• Waterfall height: Roughly 40 feet
• Trail length + difficulty: 1.8 miles; moderate
• Location: Tremont
• TRAIL DETAILS

Unlike most other Smoky Mountain waterfalls, you won’t find Spruce Flats Falls on a single park map. Nestled into somewhat secluded Tremont near the GSMIT (the same area you’ll find Lynn Camp Prong Cascades!), this waterfall is the epitome of a hidden gem.

Start your hike from the GSMIT dorm buildings and take the Buckeye Trail junction. NOTE: Like Spruce Flats Falls itself, this trail isn’t listed on park maps, but it is marked with signs.

Take a right on Buckeye Trail (which is well-beaten and easy to follow, despite being unofficial), where you’ll start climbing uphill right away. Down below, you’ll see the institute’s tent cabins.

At the next split in the trail, about two-tenths of a mile from the trailhead, turn left to continue uphill. Look for the old cistern as a marker just after the split.

Half a mile in, the trail starts to descend, but it also gets substantially more rugged, with steep declines, large rocks, and gnarly root systems to navigate. Trekking poles are a tremendous help on this particular waterfall hike.

You’ll reach Spruce Flats Falls and its magnificent swimming hole at just 0.7 miles, so stick with the brutal parts of the trail. I wouldn’t call it one of the easy hikes in the Smokies, but it is mercifully short!

Tips for Visiting Smoky Mountain Waterfalls

• Visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park is totally FREE! Although I can’t sing the praises of the America the Beautiful Pass highly enough (get yours HERE if you don’t have one yet or need to renew!), you won’t need it at GSMNP.
• The best time to visit the park specifically for waterfalls is summer and fall. This follows the rainy season and unlike many places where waterfalls are fed by snowmelt, waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains are fed by rain.
• Many waterfalls in the Smokies freeze in the winter, offering a unique, eerily beautiful sight.
• Do not climb on rocks near falls. While it’s tempting, the abundant moss and mist in the park make Smoky Mountain waterfalls particularly (and unfortunately, infamously) slippery. 
• Wear sturdy hiking shoes or sandals. On this slippery terrain (see above), you’ll want plenty of grip. Even for easy hikes in the Smokies to waterfalls, leave the flip-flops or Converse at home. 
• Pack layers. Even on cold days, the high humidity in the Great Smoky Mountains can make it feel warm — temporarily. You’ll learn quickly that the weather varies. A lot and rather quickly.

Packing List for Chasing Waterfalls in the Smokies

While waterfall-viewing could mean anything from easy hikes in the Smokies to grueling backcountry treks, there are several essential items you’ll want in your hiking pack.

• Plenty of snacks and extra water
• Packable rain jacket: Ours come literally everywhere with us and they’re especially useful for Smoky Mountain waterfall hikes.
• Sturdy hiking shoes, whether boots or lower-profile shoes. Our favorites are the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor boots (Backcountry often has select sizes and colors on sale!) and adidas Terrex Swift R3 Gore-Tex shoes.
• …or hiking sandals. In warmer weather, we prefer to hike in Chacos (especially when water’s involved!).
• Waterproof phone pouch: You’re going to take lots of pictures of waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains and slippery, wet hands + super-expensive cell phone = potential disaster. Trust us on this, protect your phone. 
• Waterproof cover for your hiking pack 
• Extra (wool) socks: If your feet don’t get wet hiking to waterfalls in the Smokies, you’re not doing it right. 
• Swimsuit and a microfiber towel if you plan to take a dip
• Trekking poles: Particularly on longer treks to Smoky Mountain waterfalls, the extra support is tremendously helpful.
• Bug spray: All that water in the Smokies means it’s buggy, especially in the summer.
• Navigation: As mentioned earlier, we HIGHLY recommend AllTrails+.
  • Even if you’re not sure a subscription is for you just yet, sign up for the free version at the very least. Use our link to TRY a 7-day free trial of AllTrails+!

So there you have it, 15 of the best waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains. From quick roadside stops to all-day treks with serious elevation gain, stunning GSMNP has a waterfall hike for everyone. 

Have you been to the park? What’s your favorite Smoky Mountain waterfall? While we’re at it, what’s one of your favorite easy hikes in the Smokies? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to pin this post for later!

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