Waterfalls in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

How Many Waterfalls are in The Great Smoky Mountain National Park?

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has over 2,900 miles of streams and over 100 waterfalls. But there are also thousands of unnamed cascades, roadside trickles, and seasonal falls that appear after rain. The National Park Service itself only publishes only a select few waterfalls, not an complete inventory. It bears mentioning that the less published a waterfall is, the less the trail is maintained and might require going off trail and even bushwacking to reach.

Below we include a list of waterfalls including popular waterfalls and lesser known waterfalls in the Great Smoky Mountains National park including distance, brief trail description and brief description of the waterfall itself.

Know Before You Go

Elevations

Elevations in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park range from approximately 875 feet at Abrams Creek to 6,643 feet at the summit of Kuwohi (formerly named Clingmans Dome). While a single average elevation isn’t typically used, a significant portion of the park consists of mountainous terrain, with the main crest staying above 5,000 feet.

So if you are used to hiking long distances over flat terrain at a lower altitude consider these factors when determining if a hike is right for you. A higher elevation means there is less air, and while this is fine for normal living, when you are exerting yourself, it will take longer to recover.

Cell Reception

Many of these waterfalls are in remote areas so there may not be cell reception. Download or print maps before going to these locations and make sure to include travel to and from your location. If hiking in a more remote area be sure to tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return or leave a note in your car.

Wet Weather Waterfalls

Unlike the year round waterfalls, wet weather waterfalls flow best during periods of rain or snow melt, making the best time to view them in the late winter/spring months. During dry seasons, these falls may be reduced to a trickle or even go completely dry, only to come alive during periods of heavy rainfall. One of the best examples of this is The Place of a Thousand Drips, located at the end of the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.

Roadside Waterfalls

The Sinks

Distance: ~0.2 mile
Trail Feel: Loud, powerful water right off the road
Waterfall Description: Wide cascade, currents, especially strong after rain
Note: not a swimming hole, national park posts no swimming here

Place of a Thousand Drips

Distance: roadside
Trail Feel: Best viewed from car or quick pull-off after the waterfall
Waterfall Description: Seasonal, wet weather waterfall, cascade style, best viewed after rain
Note: Located on Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail (a seasonal road)

Meigs Falls

Distance: roadside
Trail Feel: Quick stop along Little River Road
Waterfall Description: 20–30 ft tiered cascade
Note: This an overlook view of the waterfall.

Whiteoak Flats Falls

Distance: roadside
Trail Feel: Quick stop along Old State Highway 73
Waterfall Description: ~20 ft cascade

Meadow Branch Cascades

Distance: roadside, but you will have to park and walk back to get a good view
Trail Feel: Quick stop along Laurel Creek Road
Waterfall Description: Partially hidden cascade

Cane Creek Twin Falls

Distance: roadside
Trail Feel: Quick stop along Old State Highway 73
Waterfall Description: Two small cascades, but a great swimming hole
Note: Best viewed in Fall/Winter

Mannis Branch Falls

Distance: roadside
Trail Feel: Quick stop near Elkmont Rd
Waterfall Description: 25-35 ft, located across the river
Note: Best viewed in Fall/Winter

Noisy Falls

Distance: roadside
Trail Feel: Quick stop along U.S. 321
Waterfall Description: 20–30 ft tiered cascade

Laurel Creek Cascades

Distance: Roadside
Trail Feel: Quick stop with picturesque cascade
Waterfall Description: Water drops 8′ down spilling over multiple paths for a length of 20′.

Easy to Moderate

Cataract Falls

Distance: 0.7 miles RT
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Feel: Flat, family-friendly
Waterfall Description: Narrow, 40 ft, wet weather waterfall

Laurel Falls

Distance: 2.6 miles RT
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Feel: Paved, family-friendly
Waterfall Description: 80 ft, two sections
Note: Currently closed for renovations

Huskey Branch Falls

Distance: 4.3 miles RT
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Feel: Kid friendly, Peaceful
Waterfall Description: 20 ft, parallels the river the entire way

Abrams Falls

Distance: 5.2 miles RT
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Feel: Hemlock and rhododendron lined trail
Waterfall Description: 25 ft waterfall, strong currents
Note: Located in Cades Cove, trail has 675 ft of elevation gain

Rainbow Falls

Distance: 5.6 miles RT
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Feel: Steep, rocky, and often muddy terrain, passing small cascades
Waterfall Description: 80 ft, creates colorful rainbows on sunny days
Note: Trail has 1500 ft of elevation gain

Grotto Falls

Distance: 2.6 miles RT
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Feel: Family-friendly, follows a stream
Waterfall Description: 25 ft, can walk behind the waterfall
Note: Located on Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail (a seasonal road)

Lynn Camp Prong Cascades

Distance: 1.4 miles RT
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Feel: Wide, gravel path next to a stream
Waterfall Description: Series of cascades, with two main sections – upper (approx. 35 ft) and lower (approx. 55 ft)

Crooked Arm Cascades

Distance: 1.4 miles RT
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Feel: Little cascades along the way, creek crossing
Waterfall Description: 25-30 ft, cascading, wet weather waterfall
Note: Shortest route is Rich Mountain Trail to Crooked Arm Cascades.

Chasteen Creek Cascade

Distance: 3.6 miles RT
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Trail Feel: Wooded trail, also frequented by horseback riders
Waterfall Description: Cascade that slides 15 feet down smoothly worn standstone
Note: Located in Smokemont Campground

Rhododendron Trail Falls

Distance: 1.6 miles RT
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Feel: Walks alongside small cascades until you cross the creek, trail not well maintained
Waterfall Description: series of waterfalls, each larger than the previous

*Oldhamii Falls on the Rhododendron Trail*

Midnight Hole

Distance: 2.8 miles RT
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Feel: Old Jeep trail, wide, shady, and easy
Waterfall Description: Falls are at the far end of the pool. There are two small waterfalls, only 8′ high each, situated between large boulders.
Note: Good swimming hole

Meigs Creek Cascade

Distance: 3.8 miles RT
Difficulty: Moderate (creek crossings)
Trail Feel: Feels like an adventure with some marshy, swampy areas, rodo tunnels and rock-hopping
Waterfall Description: 18-20 ft, starts narrow at the top and fans out toward the bottom

Baskins Creek Falls

Distance: ~3 miles RT
Difficulty: Moderate (steady uphill return)
Trail Feel: Quiet, forested, old-growth vibe with minimal crowds
Waterfall Description: Two-tiered, ~40 ft, very photogenic after rain

Spruce Flats Falls

Distance: ~2 miles RT
Difficulty: Moderate (some route-finding)
Trail Feel: Starts wide, then turns into a narrow, less-maintained path
Waterfall Description: Multi-tier cascade with a backcountry feel, 30-40 ft

Hen Wallow Falls

Distance: ~4.4 miles RT
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Feel: Gradual climb through lush forest, often damp and mossy
Waterfall Description: 90 ft but thin, best after rain

Mouse Creek Falls

Distance: ~4 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Trail Feel: Wide, gentle grade following a creek (great for beginners)
Waterfall Description: 41 ft, broad and steady flow

Fern Branch Falls

Distance: 4 miles RT
Difficulty: Moderate (long but gradual)
Trail Feel: Historic trail (old cabins, cemetery), then turns quieter
Waterfall Description: 40 ft, hidden and peaceful
Note: Accessed on Porters Creek Trail

Indian Flats Falls

Distance: 8.2 miles RT
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Feel: Gentle trail, follows a river with cascades the entire way
Waterfall Description: Triple cascade surrounded by rhododendrons
Note: You will pass Lynn Camp Prong Cascades on the way

Deep Creek Waterfall Loop

Includes: Juney Whank Falls, Indian Creek Falls, and Tom Branch Falls
Distance: 2.4 miles RT
Trail Feel: Short but steep loop
Waterfall Description:
- Juney Whank Falls: 90-foot waterfall divided into upper and lower sections
- Tom Branch Falls: 60-80 foot, wide cascade visible from the main trail
- Indian Creek Falls: 25-foot falls tucked into a lush cove

Fort Harry Falls

Distance: 0.2 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Feel: Starts out easy, then quickly becomes rocky and rough
Waterfall Description: Small thin waterfall between the rocks, wet weather waterfall

Rainbow Cave Falls

Distance: 4.6 miles RT
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Feel: Fairly worn and wide surrounded by flowers
Waterfall Description: 40-foot, often seasonal, waterfall that flows directly into a cave.
Note: Unofficial trail starting at the Schoolhouse Gap Trailhead near Townsend

Trickling Falls and Talking Falls (Road Prong Falls)

Distance: 3.4 miles RT
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Feel: Not well maintained, narrow, rough in spots, and secluded
Waterfall Description: Trickling Falls, 50-foot waterfall that creates several smaller cascades
Note: Begin at the Chimney Tops Trailhead, then turn onto Road Prong Trail

Strenuous

Ramsey Cascades

Distance: 8 miles RT
Difficulty: Strenuous
Trail Feel: Rocky, root-filled, increasingly steep
Waterfall Description: ~100 ft (tallest in park), dramatic boulder field
Note: Ascends more than 2,000 feet in elevation and crosses multiple footlog bridges and streams along the way.

Little Creek Falls/Deeplow Gap Branch Falls

Distance: ~6 miles RT
Difficulty: Strenuous
Trail Feel: Significant elevation changes, rocky, rough trail
Waterfall Description: 50+ feet, large and fairly wide
Notes: Prone to washouts

Enloe Creek Falls

Distance: 7 miles RT
Difficulty: Strenuous / remote
Trail Feel: Recommended for experienced hikers due to steep, narrow terrain and a challenging bushwhack.
Waterfall Description: Large, powerful, rarely seen
Notes: Hyatt Ridge + Enloe Creek Trail. Trail is currently closed.

Nearby Waterfalls in Cherokee

While really close, these waterfalls are not a part of the Great Smoky Mountains Park but totally worth including.

Soco Falls

Distance: 0.6 miles
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Trail Feel: The trail to the observation deck is pretty easy, but the trail to the base is moderate.
Waterfall Description: 120 foot, double waterfall

Mingo Falls

Distance: 0.4 miles RT
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Feel: It’s a workout! You climb 160 steps with an elevation gain of 114 ft.
Waterfall Description: Horsetail shape, best viewed after rain, but still looks good year round

Know Your Limits – A Message From The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

April 3, 2026: Park rangers in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are reporting a big increase in emergency calls, especially in March. They responded to 38 incidents in just one month, including multiple search and rescues, medical emergencies, and even helicopter evacuations.

Because of this, they’re reminding visitors of something important… rescue is NOT guaranteed.

The mountains are beautiful, but they can also be unpredictable. Trails can change quickly, weather can shift fast, and even experienced hikers can find themselves in dangerous situations.

Here’s what they’re asking everyone to do:
• Know your limits
• Check the weather before you go
• Bring the right gear (water, layers, flashlight, etc.)
• Tell someone your plans
• Be willing to turn around if things feel off

A lot of these emergencies can be prevented with just a little preparation. As we head into busy season, this is your reminder that the Smokies aren’t just a scenic backdrop… they’re real mountains with real risks.

link to news article