The Smokies hold some of the most rewarding waterfall experiences in the Southeast—from easy roadside stops to deeper forest hikes that make the final cascade feel earned.
Staying on the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge side of the park puts you close to many of the most iconic falls, along with some lesser-known gems that locals visit year-round, including lesser visited waterfalls – some with beautiful hikes – that offer a peaceful experience away from the crowds.
Start your adventure with the perfect home base. Book a mountain escape at Treehouse Grove – just minutes from the park’s top waterfall trailheads.
Let’s kick off the waterfall chasing with these 15 excellent options in the Smoky Mountains region.
1. Laurel Falls
Photo Credit: Weidman Photography
- Location: Near Sugarlands Visitor Center
- Distance from Gatlinburg: 12 minutes
- Distance: 2.6 miles round-trip (paved)
- Type: 80-foot cascading waterfall
Laurel Falls is one of the park’s most popular and accessible hikes, and is considered one of the most popular destinations in the Smoky Mountains, thanks to its paved trail and dramatic two-tier cascade. The route winds gently uphill through mountain laurel and rhododendron, offering a classic Smokies forest backdrop before reaching the footbridge that splits the upper falls and lower falls.
Most visitors complete the hike in 1.5–2 hours. It’s great for families, though the incline can feel steady. Parking is limited, especially mid-morning through early afternoon—early arrival pays off.
2. Cataract Falls
- Location: Behind Sugarlands Visitor Center
- Distance from Gatlinburg: 7 minutes
- Distance: 1 mile round-trip
- Type: Small, shaded cascade
Just steps from Sugarlands Visitor Center, Cataract Falls feels like a secret tucked in plain sight. The trail follows a cool, shaded creek surrounded by thick rhododendron and tall hardwoods—the kind of easy forest walk that softens the noise of travel days and lets you settle into the park’s slower rhythm.
The falls themselves are modest but charming, especially after rain, when water ribbons down the rocks into a quiet pool. It’s one of the best quick stops near Gatlinburg and a dependable win for families with young kids or anyone needing a peaceful warm-up before tackling bigger hikes.
3. Grotto Falls
- Location: Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail via Trillium Gap Trail
- Distance from Gatlinburg: 15 minutes
- Distance: 2.6 miles round-trip
- Type: 25-foot waterfall you can walk behind
Grotto Falls is accessed by hiking the Trillium Gap Trail, which is the only trail in the Smokies where you can walk behind a waterfall. The shaded trail includes roots, rocks, and stream crossings that keep things interesting without being strenuous.
The trail to Grotto Falls winds through some of the lushest, most shaded terrain near Roaring Fork. Expect roots, small creek crossings, and cool pockets of forest that feel especially refreshing in summer. By the time the falls come into view, you can hear them long before you see the curtain of water spilling over the rock ledge.
The magic of this spot is the ability to walk behind the falls themselves—a sheltered, misty alcove where the world feels quieter and cooler. Good for families with school-age children.
Parking along Roaring Fork is tight, particularly on weekends.
4. Rainbow Falls
- Location: Cherokee Orchard Road
- Distance from Gatlinburg: 10 minutes
- Distance: 5.4 miles round-trip
- Type: 80-foot vertical fall
Rainbow Falls is all about earning the view. The trail climbs steadily from the start, weaving through hemlock groves, moss-covered boulders, and creek hops that keep things interesting. You gain elevation almost without realizing it until the sound of water starts to rise above everything else.
The falls drop 80 feet in a single plume, creating a mist that glows with color when the sun hits at the right angle. It’s dramatic, loud, and worth every uphill step. The hike takes time, but the scenery is varied enough—and the destination impressive enough—to keep you moving. Best for active families.
Trailhead parking fills fast, especially on blue-sky days.
5. Baskins Creek Falls
- Location: Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
- Distance from Gatlinburg: 18 minutes
- Distance: 3 miles round-trip
- Type: 40-foot two-level fall
Baskins Creek Falls is a quieter trail that feels like stepping into the park’s softer, more peaceful side. The path rolls gently through hardwood forest before narrowing near the final descent, where the sound of falling water becomes your guide.
At the bottom, the falls spill in two elegant tiers over mossy rock, creating one of the most tranquil waterfall settings near Gatlinburg. It’s a less-crowded choice on the Roaring Fork loop, and the kind of spot where visitors linger longer than planned just to soak in the calm.
The final descent to the waterfall is steep, so caution is key. Parking is limited along the one-way loop.
6. Spruce Flats Falls
Photo Credit: Jim Vallee
- Location: Tremont Road (Tremont area)
- Distance from Pigeon Forge: 35 minutes
- Distance: 1.8 miles round-trip
- Type: Multi-tiered rugged cascade
Spruce Flats Falls manages to feel wild and remote despite its short distance. The trail mixes rocky climbs with views into the Tremont valley, and the air stays cool thanks to deep forest cover. When the waterfall finally appears, it does so all at once—a powerful, multi-tiered cascade framed by steep, rugged terrain.
It’s a favorite among locals because the effort-to-payoff ratio is unbeatable: a dramatic waterfall at the end of a hike that feels adventurous without requiring a whole afternoon. Best for active families.
Parking at Tremont Institute is limited but usually workable.
7. The Sinks
- Location: Little River Road
- Distance from Gatlinburg: 25 minutes
- Distance: No hike required
- Type: Powerful gorge cascade
The Sinks is a roadside stop with big waterfall energy. Water funnels through a narrow rock gorge and crashes with a force that you can feel from the parking area. The sound is constant and powerful, and the swirling pool below adds to the dramatic scene.
It’s an easy, worthwhile stop on Little River Road—perfect for stretching your legs, snapping photos, or simply taking in the raw energy of moving water before continuing deeper into the park.
Small parking lot fills quickly on weekends.
8. Meigs Falls
- Location: Little River Road
- Distance from Gatlinburg: 30 minutes
- Distance: Roadside view
- Type: Wide, veil-like fall
Meigs Falls sits just far enough off the road that many people drive right past without realizing what they’ve missed. When you pull off at the viewing area, you get a clear, framed look at a wide, graceful curtain of water sliding down a rock face into a quiet pool.
It’s especially beautiful after rain, when the flow spreads into a smooth white veil. Even though it’s a quick stop, it has a peaceful, almost hidden feel compared to other roadside falls.
Parking is a roadside pull-off.
9. Hen Wallow Falls
- Location: Cosby area
- Distance from Gatlinburg: 35 minutes
- Distance: 4.4 miles round-trip
- Type: 90-foot ribbon fall
The trail to Hen Wallow Falls feels like a forest sampler—stretches of old-growth hardwoods, quiet patches of evergreen, and long sections where the only sound is your footsteps. As you get closer, the trail narrows, and the air cools noticeably from the water ahead.
Hen Wallow itself is tall and slender, spilling nearly 90 feet in a delicate ribbon down a steep rock wall. It’s a different kind of waterfall experience—elegant, vertical, and framed by quiet woods that make the destination feel tucked away from the busier parts of the park. Good for active families.
Parking is easy at the Cosby Picnic Area.
10. Tom Branch Falls
- Location: Deep Creek area (Bryson City)
- Distance from Gatlinburg: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Distance: 0.6 miles round-trip
- Type: Slender cascade flowing into the creek
A peaceful, family-friendly walk leads to these serene falls that spill directly into Deep Creek, creating a perfect wading and picnicking spot. The walk to Tom Branch Falls is just over a half mile round-trip. Tom Branch Falls is one of three waterfalls in the Deep Creek area, along with Indian Creek Falls and Juney Whank Falls. The trail continues to Indian Creek Falls, following Indian Creek, making it easy to visit all three waterfalls on a single hike.
11. Abrams Falls
Photo Credit: leaena
- Location: Cades Cove (Townsend side)
- Distance from Pigeon Forge: 55 minutes
- Distance: 5 miles round-trip
- Type: Strong, 20-foot high-volume waterfall
The Abrams Falls Trail follows one of the park’s most beautiful creek corridors, weaving through soft forest, exposed ridges, and wide riverside stretches where the water runs clear and fast. Even with the steady up-and-down terrain, the views keep you moving.
The falls themselves roar with unbelievable force for their height, pouring into a deep, churning pool that’s impressive from every angle. It’s a classic Smokies hike—challenging enough to feel earned, stunning enough to become a trip highlight. Suitable for active families.
You can park at the trailhead inside Cades Cove, but it fills early, so morning visits are ideal.
12. Mingo Falls
- Location: Cherokee (Qualla Boundary) (North Carolina side)
- Distance from Gatlinburg: 45 minutes
- Distance: 0.4 miles round-trip (stairs involved)
- Type: 120-foot towering cascade
Mingo Falls rises like a curtain of whitewater against a steep, rocky backdrop—one of the tallest and most dramatic waterfalls in the entire region. The approach is short but steep, climbing a long series of wooden steps that lead you directly to a viewing bridge.
Once you reach it, the view is unmistakable: a towering sheet of water cascading down more than 100 feet, framed by dense green forest. It’s quick, rewarding, and unforgettable. Families can manage if they are comfortable with stairs.
The parking area is small, but turnover is quick.
13. Mouse Creek Falls
- Location: Big Creek area
- Distance from Gatlinburg: 1 hour
- Distance: 4 miles round-trip
- Type: 45-foot multi-tiered waterfall
Mouse Creek Falls sits along one of the park’s calmest, most scenic rivers. The trail follows an old railroad bed, which means wide paths, gentle grades, and constant views of Big Creek’s clear blue water rushing over boulders.
The waterfall is tucked slightly off the main trail—a tiered cascade that blends perfectly into its lush, mossy surroundings. It’s peaceful, cool, and the kind of hike where time moves more slowly in the best way.
You can park at Big Creek Trailhead.
14. Fern Branch Falls
- Location: Porters Creek Trail, located in the Greenbrier section of the park
- Distance from Gatlinburg: 20 minutes
- Distance: 4 miles round-trip
- Type: Tall, fine ribbon fall
Fern Branch Falls rewards hikers with one of the prettiest ribbons of water on the Greenbrier side of the park. The Porters Creek Trail itself is a highlight—historic homesteads, thick forest, spring wildflowers, and long, quiet stretches along the creek.
When the waterfall appears, it forms a tall, slender cascade that fans out beautifully over the rock face. It’s subtle but striking, especially in spring when the surrounding vegetation is a deep green. Great for families and photographers.
You can find parking at Greenbrier.
15. Juney Whank Falls
- Location: Deep Creek (Bryson City)
- Distance from Gatlinburg: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Distance: 0.6 miles round-trip
- Type: Walk-over viewing bridge waterfall
Juney Whank Falls may sit just a half-mile from the trailhead, but the short climb earns its payoff fast. The path rises steadily through a shaded, rhododendron-lined hillside before delivering you onto a wooden footbridge that feels perfectly positioned—almost as if it were built just for photographs.
From the bridge, the falls spill down a tight rock chute, sending cool air and a steady rush of sound through the trees.
Families love this stop because kids get an up-close view without having to hike far. The bridge becomes its own little destination—safe, sturdy, and close enough to the falls that you can hear the water long before you see it.
You’ll find parking at the Deep Creek Trailhead.
What to Know Before You Go
Before exploring the Smokies’ most beautiful waterfalls, keep these key tips in mind:
- The Smokies Are a Waterfall Wonderland: With more than 100 waterfalls across the park, there’s something for every traveler—from easy, paved walks like Laurel Falls to more challenging treks like Abrams Falls.
- Expect Varied Terrain: Many waterfall trails include steep climbs, rocky sections, slick stones, and elevation changes. Sturdy, grippy footwear is essential.
- Pack Smart: Bring plenty of water, snacks, layers, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a small first-aid kit. A waterproof phone case or camera gear is helpful near heavy spray.
- Safety First: Stay on marked trails, watch your footing near wet rocks, and be cautious around fast-moving streams—especially after rain.
- Navigation Helps: Visitor centers like Sugarlands offer detailed maps, updated trail conditions, and ranger guidance. Apps and digital maps can help, but keep a paper backup—cell service is unreliable in many areas.
- Weather Changes Quickly: Mountain temperatures and conditions can shift fast. Dressing in layers will keep you comfortable throughout the day.
- Be Prepared for Limited Parking: Popular trailheads fill early. Arriving before 9 AM or visiting later in the afternoon can make parking much easier.
Where to Stay Near the Best Waterfalls in the Smokies
Waterfall hopping is one of the most rewarding ways to experience the Great Smoky Mountains—and staying on the Gatlinburg side puts you minutes from the park’s most iconic cascades. For travelers who want lodging that feels as remarkable as the landscape, Treehouse Grove delivers something truly extraordinary.
These aren’t ordinary cabins on stilts. They’re handcrafted, architectural treehouses designed by some of the most accomplished treehouse builders in the world—visionaries known for blending artistry, engineering, and childhood wonder into livable works of craftsmanship.
Why stay in a treehouse? Suspended among the branches, each treehouse is built with meticulous detail: timber-framed structures, soaring windows, cozy lofts, and decks that make you feel wrapped in the forest canopy. Inside, you’ll find the comforts of a boutique retreat—plush bedding, thoughtful finishes, and warm touches that make the space feel both elevated and deeply connected to nature.
Make your getaway unforgettable. Book your stay at Treehouse Grove and wake up minutes from the Smokies’ most spectacular waterfalls.
