10 Waterfalls, 1 Weekend in the Smokies

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a vast area that covers over half a million acres. It is home to beautiful mountain ridges, stunning waterfalls, grassy prairies, and a wide variety of wildlife. It’s no surprise that the park attracts over 14 million visitors each year. Our crew is particularly fond of waterfalls, and fortunately, there is no shortage of them in the Smokies. While we haven’t had the chance to explore all 100 waterfalls in the park, we’ve managed to put together a list of our top 10 favorites, which you can see in just three days by following the itinerary below. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Entrance Fee:

FREE

Additional costs:
*Maps are not free. They can be purchased at a small cost (usually $1 or $2) at any visitor center.

* GSMNP now requires all vehicles to purchase a parking tag. The cost is $5 daily, $15 weekly, or $40 annually. I recommend purchasing a tag online prior to arrival. There is no cell service inside the park, and there are not kiosks at every trailhead. They are, however, located at every visitor center if you forget to purchase beforehand😊 Online tags can be purchased at Recreation.gov.

Lodging:

Only one lodge can be found inside the park, and it is only accessible by foot. More information can be found here- LeConte Lodge.

There are ten campgrounds within the park. Cades Cove and Smokemont are open year-round. The rest are seasonal. All reservations for camping can be made at Recreation.gov.

This park also offers back-country camping. You will need a permit, which can be found here- Backcountry Permit.

Lodging outside the park can be found in the many surrounding cities, the closest being Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

Dining:

Limited food and drink options are available at any visitor center.

There are plenty of options outside the park, in the cities of Gatlinburg, TN, and Pigeon Forge, TN. We ate outside the park for dinner, but I recommend bringing food into the park for lunch. Food options we would suggest in Gatlinburg include Flapjack’s Pancake Cabin, Log Cabin Pancake House, Cherokee Grill, Smith & Son Corner Kitchen, and El Sonador Mexican Restaurant.

Must Know Before You Go:

1. Make camping reservations early. The campgrounds fill up quickly!

2. This park is full of lots of spectacular wildlife, including black bears! Please review all Wildlife Safety before you visit.

3. Please review all park Water Safety Recommendations as well.

4. Fall is my favorite season to visit the Smokies. It is a little cooler, making the long hikes a little easier! And the fall colors are gorgeous!

5. Parking, all year, is very small and very crowded. The earlier you start your days, the less you will have to wait for spots!

Cell Service:

There is no cell service anywhere in the park.

3 Day Itinerary

Friday

#1 The Sinks/ #2 Meigs Creek Trail to Upper Meigs Falls

Distance: 3.5 miles roundtrip

Trail Route: Out-and-back

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation Gain: 700+ ft

Trail Access: The Sinks Lot via Little River Road

The Sinks can be seen from the viewpoint right off the parking lot. Just behind the viewpoint is the Meigs Creek Trail. This trail has five water crossings before you reach the falls. There are rocks you are able to use for crossing, but I would still make sure you bring your waterproof boots and hiking poles on this one😊

The next trail is just a 15-minute drive down Little River Road!

#3 Laurel Falls

Distance: 2.5 miles roundtrip

Trail Route: Out-and-back

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation Gain: 400+ ft

Trail Access: Laurel Falls lot via Little River Road

This trail comes with extremely limited parking in relation to its popularity. To avoid crowds and secure a spot, consider hiking VERY early or after 5 pm. When we hiked this trail the last time, we were doing this exact itinerary. We made it to the 80 ft falls at 5:30 on a Friday and shared the falls area with only a few other people (the least crowded I’ve ever seen). Here’s to hoping you can miss the crowds as well!

Bears frequent the area even though the trail runs fairly close to the main road. Last fall, we had to wait out a mama and her cubs that were hanging out, right in the middle of the trail!

Saturday

Deep Creek Waterfall Loop (#4 Tom Branch Falls/#5 Indian Creek Falls/ #6 Juney Whank Falls)

Distance: 2.5 miles roundtrip

Trail Route: Loop

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation Gain: 400+ ft

Trail Access: Deep Creek Falls Lot via Tom Branch Road

You can take this loop in either direction, but I recommend counterclockwise so that the last leg of the trail is downhill. The trail is wide and easy to follow. Your first stop will be Tom Branch Falls at 80 ft tall and right on the main trail. The next stop is the 45-ft Indian Creek Falls. There is a very short side trail to Indian Creek Falls. After checking out the falls area, head back to the main trail and cross over the footbridge to continue the loop to Juney Whank Falls. Do NOT continue the side trail past Indian Creek Falls unless you want to add 500 more feet of elevation gain and 2.5 more miles onto your hike. Once you cross the footbridge, you will eventually loop around to the 90-ft Juney Whank Falls. From there it is just a short, downhill trip back to the parking lot.

From the Deep Creek Area, head the 20 miles to Mingo Falls. As you near the falls, follow the signs on the road, NOT Google Maps, to the parking lot for Mingo Falls.

#7 Mingo Falls

Distance: 0.4 miles roundtrip

Trail Route: Out-and-back

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation Gain: 200 ft (160+ stairs up to the falls)

Trail Access: Mingo Falls Lot via Big Cove Road

This massive 200 ft waterfall is probably the most impressive of the 10 and absolutely worth the climb up all 160 some stairs😊

Clingmans Dome

Distance: 1.2-mile roundtrip

Trail Route: Out-and-back

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation Gain: 300+ ft

Trail Access: Clingmans Dome Lot via Clingmans Dome Road

Clingmans Dome is a popular spot in the Smokies and known for its breathtaking mountain views. While it’s not a waterfall trail, it’s worth a quick stop to take in the stunning landscape. The parking lot alone offers spectacular views. However, if you’re up for a short but steep hike, the observation tower at the top will provide an even better 360-degree view that is definitely worth the extra trek😊

After Clingmans Dome our slight pause on waterfalls trails is officially over. Head back towards the Sugarlands Visitor Center for the one last waterfall.

#8 Cataract Falls

Distance: 0.2 miles roundtrip

Trail Route: Out-and-back

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation Gain: minimal

Trail Access: Parking lot right before the stone bridge on Sugarlands Residence Road

From the small lot on Sugarlands Residence Road, the falls trail begins right next to the stone bridge. It is a wide, flat trail that is very easy to follow to the 25 ft falls.

If there are no parking spots in the small lot, walk to the falls from the Sugarlands Visitor Center. From the Visitor Center, take the Fighting Creek Nature Trail to the Cove Mountain Trail. This route is 1 mile roundtrip with no elevation gain.

Sunday

#9 Grotto Falls

Distance: 3-mile roundtrip

Trail Route: Out-and-back

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation Gain: 500+ ft

Trail Access: Grotto Falls lot via Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

Parking is minimal along the one-way Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Start your day early to secure a spot (I know I’m starting to sound like a broken record)!

This trail is clearly marked and easy to follow. As you make your way up the mountain, use caution, as the path does hug the ledge a few times. Upon reaching the falls, you can walk right behind the stunning waterfall for an up-close look!

Bears do frequent the area. There was a bear drinking right from the falls the last time we were there! Please review bear safety before heading out😊

#10 Spruce Flats Falls

Distance: 1.6 miles roundtrip

Trail Route: Out-and-back

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation Gain: 400+ ft

Trail Access: Park at Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont via Tremont Road

*The falls and trail are not on any park map. However, the AllTrails route is accurate if you want to download the trail before arriving at the park (there is no service at the trailhead).*

Once parked at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, head up the gravel road towards the dormitory building. Use the path before the dormitory building to continue to the falls. When you reach the Buckeye Trail junction, head right. The path will be easy to follow from there. Small portions of the trail do hug the cliff ledge. Use caution, especially if traveling with kiddos. The trail is both rocky and steep, with some scrambling required at the very end. Proper footwear is recommended.

This is one of our favorite Smoky Mountain waterfalls and a great way to end your visit. If you have extra time after your hike to Spruce Flats Falls, I recommend heading further down Upper Tremont Road. It is a beautiful drive with plenty of lovely views of the Middle Prong Little River😊