Top 5 Smoky Mountain Waterfalls You Will Want to See
When you visit the Smoky Mountains, you want to spend as much time outside enjoying the fresh air and natural beauty of the area. What better way to appreciate the Smokies than to get out and hike some trails? One of the most popular features along trails is waterfalls, and there are plenty to find in the area. Check out these top 5 Smoky Mountain waterfalls you will want to see:
1. Mouse Creek Falls
One of the closest Great Smoky Mountains waterfalls to our campground is Mouse Creek Falls. To get to the falls, you’ll only have to drive a short way to get to the trailhead for Big Creek Trail, and it is considered moderate at 4.2 miles round trip. The path follows an old railroad grade. You’ll hike through dense forest and finally come up on the creek before you reach the falls. Mouse Creek Falls stands at 45 feet tall and has several tiers where water flows until it reaches Big Creek.
2. Hen Wallow Falls
Another Smoky Mountain waterfall that’s just a short drive from our campground is Hen Wallow Falls. You can reach it by taking the Gabe Mountain Trail, which is considered moderate with a 4.5-mile round trip length. As you hike up the mountain, you’ll see rhododendrons, ferns, hemlocks, and poplars along the trail. When you come up on this waterfall, your breath just might be taken away. It stands at 90 feet tall. At the top, the waterfall is 2 feet wide, but at the base, it is 20 feet wide. You definitely don’t want to miss out on seeing Hen Wallow Falls!
3. Ramsey Cascades
One of the most picturesque waterfalls in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Ramsey Cascades. However, it is arguably the most difficult waterfall to get to due to the elevation gain and 8-mile round trip length. During the spring, you will see several wildflower species along the path, and all throughout the year, you will pass through old forest growth. Once you reach the falls, you will see several tiers of rocks and cascades, and the 100-foot waterfall will definitely take your breath away! Ramsey Cascades is about a 45-minute drive from our campground, but the views are well worth it!
4. Baskins Creek Falls
One of the best waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains that’s considered off the beaten path you’ll want to see while you’re in town is Baskins Creek Falls. This waterfall is also farther away from our campground, but it’s one you won’t want to miss seeing. Depending on your skill level, the trail to get to this Smoky Mountain waterfall is considered easy to moderate, and it is 3.1 miles round trip. Most of the trail follows along the creek through the woods, and the last portion of the trail before you see the falls is pretty steep. Baskins Creek Falls has two tiers and stands at 40 feet tall.
5. Grotto Falls
A popular waterfall in the Smokies is Grotto Falls, and it’s also about a 40-minute drive from our campground, but it’s definitely one you’ll want to see. To get to this waterfall, you’ll hike along the Trillium Gap Trail. The path is considered easy to moderate based on your skill level, and it is 2.6 miles round trip. You may see wildflowers depending on what time of year you hike the trail, and you’ll enjoy seeing the creek and old forest growth along the path. Once you’re at the falls, you’ll see the single-tier drop into the pool at the bottom, but what makes Grotto Falls unique is that it’s the only waterfall you can walk behind in the Smokies!
You won’t want to miss out on any of these Smoky Mountain waterfalls while you’re in town. Planning a family camping trip soon? Explore more easy hikes in the Smokies that are great for children!
