Top 4 Waterfalls in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Great Smoky Mountains National Park has more than 90 waterfalls — four of them are within striking distance of Gatlinburg and represent the range from a paved 2.6-mile round trip to a strenuous 8-mile climb to the tallest cascade in the park. Here's what to expect at each one.

Grotto Falls

Grotto Falls on the Trillium Gap Trail is the most singular waterfall experience in the Smokies — the only waterfall in the national park where the trail passes directly behind the cascade. The path cuts through the rock face at the base of the falls so hikers walk between the falling water and the cliff wall behind it, with the full curtain of water just feet away. The falls drop approximately 25 feet into the pool below; the theatrical effect of standing behind them is what makes the hike memorable beyond the distance and elevation gain.

The Trillium Gap Trail to Grotto Falls is 2.6 miles round trip with approximately 500 feet of elevation gain through an old-growth hemlock forest. The trailhead is on Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail — note that Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a seasonal one-way road that closes in winter, typically November through March. Check current road status at nps.gov/grsm before planning a visit in shoulder season.

Laurel Falls

Laurel Falls is the most visited waterfall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park — a 80-foot two-tiered cascade reached by a paved trail that is the only fully paved trail to a major waterfall in the park. The 2.6-mile round trip on Little River Road is accessible for a wide range of hikers, though the paved surface and steady grade mean it is not flat — there is enough elevation gain to feel like a real hike rather than a stroll. The pavement makes it the most wheelchair and stroller-accessible major waterfall hike in the Smokies, though the grade and distance should be assessed for individual mobility needs.

Because of its accessibility and reputation, Laurel Falls is one of the busiest trailheads in the park. The parking area along Little River Road fills before 9 AM on summer and fall peak weekends, and the trail itself is crowded throughout the day during peak season. Arriving at or before 8 AM gives you the falls with significantly fewer people. The trailhead is approximately 3.9 miles west of the Sugarlands Visitor Center on Little River Road.

Rainbow Falls

Rainbow Falls is the highest single-drop waterfall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park — an 80-foot cascade on LeConte Creek where the spray creates a rainbow in the mist on sunny afternoons, which gives the falls their name. The 5.4-mile round trip via the Rainbow Falls Trail is rated moderate to strenuous, with approximately 1,500 feet of elevation gain from the trailhead to the falls. The first section of trail passes through a large boulder field before settling into a steady forested climb alongside the creek, with two footbridges along the way.

The trailhead is on Cherokee Orchard Road — from Gatlinburg's main Parkway at traffic light #8, turn onto Historic Nature Trail/Airport Road, drive 0.7 miles and veer right onto Cherokee Orchard Road into the national park, then continue 2.2 miles to the one-way Cherokee Orchard Loop. The Rainbow Falls parking area is 0.6 miles into the loop on the right. The lot fills by 9 AM on peak weekends. A Park It Forward parking tag is required. Note that the trail continues past Rainbow Falls another 4.2 miles to the summit of Mount LeConte — Rainbow Falls is 2.7 miles from the trailhead, making it a natural turnaround point for day hikers.

Ramsey Cascades

Ramsey Cascades is the tallest waterfall accessible by trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park — a 100-foot cascade in the Greenbrier section of the park, about 6 miles east of downtown Gatlinburg off US-321. The 8-mile round trip with 2,220 feet of elevation gain is the most strenuous hike on this list by a significant margin: the trail passes through old-growth forest of hemlocks, tulip poplars, and yellow birch in the lower section before the final mile of steep, rocky scrambling to the base of the falls. Plan 5 to 7 hours for a full round trip.

The trailhead is at the end of a 1.5-mile gravel road in the Greenbrier area — the parking lot fills by 9 AM on weekends during peak season. Ramsey Cascades is not appropriate for young children or hikers without experience on strenuous terrain. The reward at the end is commensurate with the effort: the 100-foot cascade dropping into a rocky bowl surrounded by old-growth forest is one of the most impressive natural features in the park.

Frequently asked questions

Which Gatlinburg waterfall hike is best for families with young children?

Laurel Falls — paved trail, 2.6 miles round trip, and the most accessible major waterfall hike in the park. Grotto Falls is a close second for families with older children who can handle some elevation gain; the behind-the-falls experience is especially memorable for kids. Rainbow Falls and Ramsey Cascades are not well-suited for young children.

Do I need a parking permit for waterfall trails?

Yes — a Park It Forward parking tag is required for any vehicle parked inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park for more than 15 minutes. Tags cost $5/day, $15/week, or $40/annual. Purchase at recreation.gov, at park visitor centers, or at automated kiosks near trailhead entrances. All four of these trailheads require a tag.

Are dogs allowed on these waterfall trails?

No — dogs are not permitted on any of these four trails. National park regulations prohibit dogs on all backcountry trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Dogs are permitted on paved surfaces only, which includes the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail in Cherokee.