Buy Gift Card
Buy a Tour
The 6 Most Amazing Waterfalls in the Great Smoky Mountains
Introduction
When you think, of the Great Smoky Mountains, it’s probably not likely for images of waterfalls to come to mind. But, within the lush, forested mountains of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you’ll find many waterfalls!
From hidden cascades nestled deep in the forest to popular falls easily accessed by hiking trails, each waterfall offers a unique experience and a glimpse into the park's rich ecosystem. Here are six of our favorites!
1. Laurel Falls
What it is: Laurel Falls is one of the most popular stops in the entire national park. There are upper and lower falls, with a walkway in between them.
Height: 80 feet
Getting There: The trailhead is located on Little River Road, 3.8 miles from the Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Trail: The 2.6-mile Laurel Falls Trail offers a round-trip hike. A paved path covers most of the route, making it family-friendly and accessible. The trail is a gradual climb, taking you through beautiful forested areas.
2. Abrams Falls
What it is: Abrams Falls stands out for its volume and the scenic pool at its base.
Height: 20 feet
Getting There: The trailhead is located in Cades Cove, so you’ll need to drive the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road to reach the trailhead.
Trail: The Abrams Falls Trail offers a 5-mile round-trip hike, rated moderate in difficulty. This trail starts off with a steep climb but levels out as you approach the falls.
3. Grotto Falls
What it is: Grotto Falls is unique because it’s one of the few waterfalls in the park where you can walk behind the falls!
Height: 25 feet
Getting There: The trailhead is located along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, a scenic drive near Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Trail: The Trillium Gap Trail to Grotto Falls is 3 miles round-trip, that takes you through a lush forest. It’s a moderately easy hike, though it can be rocky and root-filled at points.
4. Rainbow Falls
Shutterstock Image
What it is: At 80 feet, Rainbow Falls is the tallest single-drop waterfall within the national park. People named Rainbow Falls for the rainbows that often appear in the mist on sunny afternoons.
Height: 80 feet
Getting There: The trailhead for Rainbow Falls is located along Cherokee Orchard Road, just outside Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Trail: 5.4-mile round-trip on a moderately challenging trail. The trail gains about 1,500 feet in elevation, and though it's uphill most of the way, it offers beautiful sights along the route, including mountain streams and smaller cascades. The trail can be rocky and uneven at times.
5. Mingo Falls
What it is: 120-foot cascading water tumbling down a dark rock face, surrounded by lush greenery. The falls are especially striking after a recent rainfall when water volume increases, making the cascade even more dramatic.
Height: 120 feet
Getting There: The trail is located just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, on land belonging to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. You can find the trailhead about 5 miles from the Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee, NC.
Trail: This trail is relatively short—it’s only about 0.4 miles round-trip, but it includes a steep climb of over 160 steps up a wooden staircase to reach the falls, which makes it moderately challenging for some.
6. The Sinks
Shutterstock Image
What it is: People know The Sinks for its powerful, churning waterfall and the vivid, deep pools at its base. The water cascades over a short rock ledge and rushes into a swirling pool below, creating a dramatic scene.
The Sinks is especially popular with photographers due to the forceful flow of the water and its scenic backdrop of rugged rocks and lush forest. It’s one of the most accessible waterfalls in the park,
Height: 15 feet
Getting There: Take Little River Road from either the Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg or from Townsend, TN. The Sinks has a designated pull-off area with parking, so it’s easy to stop, enjoy the view, and take photos.
Trail: None!
Explore the Great Smoky Mountains with Shaka Guide
Start the tour in either Cherokee, North Carolina or Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and let us take you to some can’t miss stops like the Oconaluftee Mountain Museum, Alum Cave trail, Sugarlands, Elkmont, Roaring Fork, and Cades Cove!
Ready to take the tour? Check out Shaka Guide's Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tour!
We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.
For more detailed information to help you plan, check out our Great Smoky Mountains National Park Itinerary and Know Before You Go article.
Like this article? Share it on Pinterest!
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tour
TikTok
