Top 10 Waterfall Hikes in the Smoky Mountains

Sprawling scenic park with trails and vistas

The only waterfall in the Smokies where you can walk behind the curtain of water. This moderate 2.6-mile round trip follows the Trillium Gap Trail through old-growth hemlock forest. You may spot llamas on the trail carrying supplies to LeConte Lodge. The 25-foot falls cascade over a rock overhang, creating the grotto that gives the trail its name.

At 100 feet, Ramsey Cascades is the tallest waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains. The 8-mile round trip is strenuous, crossing footbridges and scrambling over rocks along the Middle Prong of the Little Pigeon River. The cascading falls tumble over massive rock formations surrounded by virgin forest. This is a full-day commitment but worth every step.

Technically just outside the park boundary on the Cherokee Indian Reservation, Mingo Falls is one of the tallest and most photogenic waterfalls in the southern Appalachians at 120 feet. A short but steep climb of 161 steps leads to the viewing platform. The falls cascade down a rock face surrounded by lush rhododendron.

Forney Creek to Noland Creek

Trail from Balsam Mountain

Trail from Tremont to Bote Mountain

Moderate hike to Grotto Falls

A moderate 5-mile round trip through old-growth forest to a powerful 20-foot waterfall with a massive volume of water. The trail follows Abrams Creek through Cades Cove, offering one of the most rewarding waterfall experiences in the park. The wide pool at the base is stunning, though swimming is not recommended due to dangerous undercurrents.

At 80 feet, Rainbow Falls is one of the tallest single-drop waterfalls in the Smokies. On sunny afternoons, mist from the falls creates rainbows that give the trail its name. The 5.4-mile round trip is moderately strenuous with steady elevation gain, but the payoff is spectacular. Visit in winter to see the falls frozen into an ice column.