There are a handful of spectacular Gatlinburg waterfalls that you can easily reach in just a couple miles or less. Most of these require hiking, but some are less than a mile round trip or are visible just by driving by. Next time you're in Gatlinburg, be sure to check out one of these gorgeous cascades.
Grotto Falls
Grotto Falls is often identified as the waterfall that you can walk behind. Located near the start of the 9 mile Trillium Gap trail to Mt. LeConte, this is one of the more popular Gatlinburg waterfalls you can hike to. Starting from the Grotto Falls parking lot (located just off Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail) you will find the falls just 1.4 miles into the trail (2.8 miles round trip).
Grotto Falls
Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls is the name of a 6.5 mile trail to Mt. LeConte. You will find the waterfall about 2.7 miles from the trailhead at Cherokee Orchard. Because of its short distance and proximity to downtown, this is another one of the most popular and highly trafficked Gatlinburg waterfalls.
Rainbow Falls
Laurel Falls
Heading west toward Townsend from the Sugarlands Visitor Center, you will find the Laurel Falls trailhead just off Fighting Creek Gap Road on the right. The 80 foot waterfall is located only 1.3 miles from the trailhead, making it a popular short hike. There isn't a lot of parking at the trailhead, so get there early!
Laurel Falls
Baskins Creek Falls
To reach the trailhead for Baskins Creek you must start on Trillium Gap trail (sharing a trailhead with Rainbow Falls) and continue for 0.6 of a mile. You will cross over Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail and continue for just over a mile before reaching a spur trail on the left to reach this Gatlinburg waterfall. Warning: the spur trail is unmaintained and can be very dangerous.
Baskins Creek Falls
Cataract Falls
Cataract Falls is a very short hike recommended for younger kids looking to explore one of the many Gatlinburg waterfalls. You will find the trailhead directly to the left of Sugarlands Visitor Center. The trail features well maintained bridges with railings and is only 3/4 of a mile round trip to the waterfall and back. You can even get married at this location!
Cataract Falls
Ramsey Cascades
At just over 100 feet, Ramsey Cascades is the tallest waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trail starts at the Greenbrier campground just southeast of the Gatlinburg area. The 4 mile trail is considered strenuous, but the amazing waterfall is truly worth the climb.
Ramsey Cascades
Place Of A Thousand Drips
One of the very few Gatlinburg waterfalls that you don't actually have to hike to is located along Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, an accessible driving trail for those who want to see the beauty of the Smokies without putting too much work in. The low flow fall is unique with its waters flowing out of a cave and cascading intricately down a system of rocks for about 30 feet.
Roaring Fork
