When you stay in our Smoky Mountain cabins, the one thing you don’t want to miss is going for a hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With more than 850 hiking trails for you to explore, you’ll have the opportunity to experience the true beauty of the mountains. One of the top things people want to see along their hike is a cascading waterfall. To help you decide where to hike, check out these top 6 picture-perfect Smoky Mountain waterfalls that are near our cabins:
1. Laurel Falls
Laurel Falls is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and you’ll want to see why for yourself. This 80-foot-high waterfall has both an upper and lower section that is divided by a walkway that crosses the stream at the base of the upper falls. The hike to the waterfall and back is 2.6 miles, and takes about 2 hours to complete. The trail is paved, which makes it easy for families to visit the waterfall!
2. Abrams Falls
Abrams Falls is a short waterfall compared to others, standing at only 20 feet high. However, don’t let the height fool you. The large volume of water gushing over the falls makes up for its lack of height. With a deep pool at its base, it makes for a beautiful picture. The hike to Abrams Falls and back is about 5 miles and takes about 3-4 hours to complete. We recommend beginning your hike in the early afternoon so you’re not hiking back in the dark!
3. Grotto Falls
Grotto Falls is a beautiful, 25-foot-high Smoky Mountain waterfall. To get to the waterfall, you’ll follow Trillium Gap Trail on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. The hike to Grotto Falls and back is 2.6 miles and takes about 2-3 hours to complete. What’s great about Grotto Falls is that the trail runs directly behind the waterfall, so you’ll get an amazing view! This is another popular hike for families to try.
4. The Sinks
If you want to see a gorgeous waterfall but aren’t in the hiking mood, go visit The Sinks! The Sinks is a small but stunning waterfall located along the Little River. Its volume includes the entire flow of the Little River! Once the water reaches the gorge, it slows down and forms large pools. You can park along Little River Road for easy access to the waterfall! Make sure you bring your camera along to capture this sight.
5. Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls is one of the most picturesque waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains. Rainbow Falls is 80 feet high, and on sunny afternoons, you’ll be able to see a rainbow produced by the mist from the falls. If you hike to the waterfall in the winter, you’ll have the chance to see an incredible ice formation around the falls! To get to Rainbow Falls and back, the hike is 5.4 miles and worth every step.
6. Cataract Falls
For a short and leisurely hike to a picture-perfect waterfall, head to Cataract Falls. This 1-mile hike near our cabins is great for families with young kids! The trail to the waterfall is an easy hike for all skill levels and is often used for walking and nature trips. Cataract Falls is a 25-foot Smoky Mountain waterfall that offers great views and provides a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of the world while still being only minutes from downtown Gatlinburg.
Next time you stay in our cabins in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, plan a day to visit some of these picture-perfect Smoky Mountain waterfalls! Start planning your trip to the National Park today by booking one of our Smoky Mountain cabins.
