#CADES COVE WATERFALL FULL#

You can either park here and walk to the falls or drive for another 1.1 miles and park in a long pull-off area on the left side of the road. To get to Meigs Falls, drive west from the Sugarlands Visitor Center on Little River Rd for 11.8 miles and you’ll see the Meigs Creek Trail parking area, which is right before a bridge. The pullover point for Meigs Falls is located on Little River Road, roughly halfway between Gatlinburg and Townsend. During the late fall and winter, when all the leaves are gone, the falls become even more visible, making the view even more dramatic. You can stay in the comfort of your vehicle and pull off the road to enjoy the falls, which are located roughly 500 feet away and can be seen through the trees. If you’d prefer to see a waterfall without even getting out of your car, Meigs Falls is a great choice. When you reach the first stop sign, take a left and drive for 4.5 miles to the Mingo Falls Campground, where the trailhead is located. To access the trail leading to the falls, drive south from the Oconalufteee Visitor Center on US-441 toward Cherokee and take the second left onto Big Cove Rd. However, it is still very close and worth the visit, as it is one of the tallest and most stunning waterfalls in the Southern Appalachians. Mingo Falls is not technically within the park but rather on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. View the falls only from the banks and do not attempt to climb on the rocks or go in the water. Although exciting, this large volume of water also makes Abrams Falls dangerous.

Once you arrive at the trailhead, it’s a five-mile round trip. The trail is open every day from sunrise to sunset. To access the trail that leads to this majestic waterfall, go to Cades Cove, where the trailhead is located on the 11-mile loop road. The deep, long pool at the falls’ base is also picturesque. Although only 20 feet in height, it is the falls’ massive volume of water that makes it an incredible sight. Abrams FallsĪbrams Falls was named after a Cherokee chief who lived just a few miles downstream. You can avoid this hassle, however, by taking the Gatlinburg Trolley to the trail.

#CADES COVE WATERFALL FULL#

As Cades Cove is the most visited section of the park, parking areas will likely be full on weekends and every day during the summer. The trailhead is located 3.8 miles to the west of the Sugarlands Visitors Center and is on the way to Cades Cove. Furthermore, there are short sections of the trail that have steep drop-offs, and some sections can be slippery when wet, so make sure to supervise your children closely at all times. Although the trail is paved, the pavement is uneven and cannot accommodate wheelchairs or strollers. The trail leading to Laurel Falls is a 2.6-mile round-trip hike. Laurel Falls has an upper and lower section and is divided by a path that goes over the stream by the base of the upper falls. Laurel Falls is an 80-foot-tall waterfall that is named after mountain laurel, an evergreen shrub found near the falls that blooms in May. Grotto Falls is visited on the first day on the way to Brushy Mountain. Wildland Trekking offers a five-day hiking adventure that includes Grotto Falls on its itinerary. As the Roaring Fork Motor Natural Trail is a winding, narrow, one-way road, it is closed during the winter. Follow the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail until you reach stop #5, where you will see a large parking area. To access the falls coming from Gatlinburg on the parkway, turn onto the Historic Natural Trail at traffic light #8, which will lead to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trail leading to the falls is beautiful as well, as it passes through old-growth forests and ecosystems and gives visitors opportunities to see animals such as black bears, elk and deer. Grotto FallsĪt the 25-foot-high Grotto Falls, you can enjoy the unique experience of walking behind the falls, which can be a welcome refreshment on hot, humid summer days. Some must-see waterfalls in the Smokies include: 1. The highest peaks sometimes receive over eight feet of rain, and the difference between the highest and lowest points is over a mile.Īs the park with so many stunning waterfalls, we thought we’d make your trip planning easier by sharing the best waterfall hikes in the Smoky Mountains.Įxplore the Smokies with Expert Guides The Best Waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains The park’s abundance of waterfalls is due to two key ingredients - ample rainfall and dramatic changes in elevation. These include famous falls like Grotto and Abrams as well as the countless smaller cascades that can be found on virtually every stream and river in the park.

Every year, tourists from all over come to admire the magnificent waterfalls in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Cades cove waterfall