6 Waterfalls Near Gatlinburg That Your Family Will Love

Here are six waterfalls near Gatlinburg that your family will love! The first four waterfalls are on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, a 5.5-mile loop just outside Gatlinburg. (Be aware that Roaring Fork is very crowded during peak season, and it is closed during the winter months.)

The final two waterfalls are in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, just outside the western edge of Gatlinburg.

Less travel time, more adventure! Let’s get started.

What's Inside This Post...

The Waterfalls Near Gatlinburg

Each of these first four waterfalls is found on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, the entrance to which is located about a mile outside of Gatlinburg, TN. Turn off Parkway (the main street through Gatlinburg) onto Cherokee Orchard Rd. The road runs up the side of the Anakeesta Theme Park parking lot.

(Click on the map below to enlarge it.)

1. Rainbow Falls

Hikers climbing at the base of Rainbow Falls in the Smoky Mountains

The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail entrance is less than 1 mile outside of Gatlinburg. Turn off East Parkway onto Cherokee Orchard Road (right by the entrance to Anakeesta). Travel 0.9 miles and you’ll arrive.

Rainbow Falls is the first waterfall you will come to on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. There are two parking lots designated for the Rainbow Falls Trail. There is a restroom in the first parking lot, but not the second.

Rainbow Falls, showcasing the colors of the rock face behind the waterfall

This hike is rated “Moderate” by AllTrails. It is 5.5 miles roundtrip and it took us 3-4 hours to hike it, but then we are in our 60’s, and we stop a lot along the way to take photos, visit with other hikers, and play.

The walk to the falls is 2.75 miles, all uphill, but it’s not too steep. The good news is, it’s downhill all the way back to the parking lot!

Rainbow Falls is 75′ high. You can see from the photo that there are plenty of large boulders at the base of the falls, where people were having a lot of fun scrambling, climbing, and taking photos.

2. Baskins Creek Falls

The next waterfall on Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is Baskins Creek Falls. It is just two minutes away from Rainbow Falls.

Baskins Creek Falls, one of the Gatlinburg waterfalls

Here’s a Pro Tip for you: There is only ONE parking spot at the trailhead, a small pullout off Roaring Creek Motor Nature Trail. If you’re counting on that spot and it’s taken, you will have to make the entire loop again, because the road is one-way. Instead, park in the second Rainbow Falls parking lot if there is a spot available. Then walk out of the lot, turn right, walk a few more feet, turn right again (to stay on Roaring Fork Motor Trail), and walk the 0.2 miles up the road to the trailhead.

As mentioned above, there is a restroom in the first Rainbow Falls parking lot, but not the second, so plan accordingly.

AllTrails rates this hike as “Moderate”. It is rocky and rooty and includes some uphill walking. The hike is 3.2 miles roundtrip and took us about 3 hours. This is one of the few waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains that you hike down to, instead of up to. (Of course, that means you’re hiking uphill almost all the way back…)

Baskins Creek Falls, one of the Smoky Mountains waterfalls

Jeff and Mary Ellen at Baskins Creek Falls

Our favorite thing about Baskins Creek Falls is that we mostly had it all to ourselves. This is a quiet, peaceful walk to an interesting little waterfall. The 35′ waterfall has two levels, dropping from the top down to a ledge, before spilling out to a small pool at the base of the falls.

Though the trail to Baskins Creek Falls is not too hard, it is a bit tricky. It has its share of rocks and roots. There are sections of the trail that are muddy and slippery – we both fell…TWICE!

On the positive side, wildflowers were abundant on the trail, and a black bear led us down the trail on the way back!

3. Grotto Falls

Next up on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is Grotto Falls. It is only 1.5 miles from the Baskins Creek Falls trailhead, a 10-minute drive, depending on the traffic.

There is a good-sized parking lot here, and a restroom. On our last trip there, it also came complete with a bear and her cubs!

Black Bear walking throught the parking lot at Grotto Falls

This waterfall hike is a lot of fun! We highly recommend it – it’s a short, easy hike, and the falls are a delight – especially if you have kids!

The trail is 2.6 miles roundtrip. AllTrails rates it as “Moderate” due to some elevation gain on the way to the falls but it’s not too bad. Plenty of little children had made it to the top. The hike took us about 2 hours in total.

Grotto Falls spilling into a small, shallow pool

At first glance, Grotto Falls is not large or impressive. It only has a 25′ drop. But upon closer inspection, you’ll find there is a secret here – you can walk behind the falls to the other side! Lots of people (including me), were lining up to have their photos taken behind the falls.

At the base of the falls is a small, shallow “wading” pool, where small kids were playing. This is a great family hike.

12. The Place of a Thousand Drips

The Place of a Thousand Drips is the fourth waterfall you will come to on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. It is 3 miles past the Grotto Falls parking lot, a 20-minute drive, right on the side of the road – you don’t even have to leave your vehicle.

There are only 3-4 pullout parking spaces here, so you may not be able to stop and get out of your car. But if you can, do!

This is a great spot to do a little climbing and take some photos. I’m not sure if anyone has actually counted the drips here, but 1,000 seems like a good guess.

Cliff Branch spills over the edge at the top, tumbling down 85′. On the way down the water divides into multiple routes, making for a stunning display, especially after rainfall has increased the water volume coming down the rock face. In some places, individual streams drop 10′-20′.

The effect is mesmerizing. It reminds me of a prism projecting different lights and colors.

The Place of 10,000 Drips, a unique Smoky Mountains waterfall

Pro Tip: Be careful. Watch out for traffic. The Place of a Thousand Drips is right on the road, and drivers are often paying more attention to the scenery than the road. Keep a watchful eye on your kids!

5. Cataract Falls

Cataract Falls is the smallest of the waterfalls near Gatlinburg. It’s more of a “kid-sized” waterfall. But after some rain, it swells up a bit. The hike is short and easy, and your kids will enjoy it.

There are a couple of ways to get to Cataract Falls. You can drive to the Sugarlands Visitors Center, a little over 10 minutes southwest of Gatlinburg. There is a lot of large parking there, plus restrooms, and a well-stocked shop where you can purchase souvenirs.

Walk around to the back of the visitors center, past the restrooms, and you will see the trailhead to Fighting Creek Nature Trail. Jump on the trail, and it’s just a short, easy walk to the falls. The entire trail is a 1.4-mile loop.

Cataract Falls, a small waterfall near Gatlinburg

Or you can drive right to the falls. Again, drive a bit over 2 miles toward the Sugarlands Visitors Center, but before you get there, turn right onto Park Headquarters Rd. Just about 0.1 miles later, turn left on Sugarlands Residence Road. Park your car, walk across the small bridge that’s next to the parking area, and you’ll see the trail.

The walk to the falls is only 0.2 miles from Sugarlands Residence Road.

Here’s another Pro Tip: The Fighting Creek Nature Trail is a storybook trail. (At least it was the last time we were there!) There are numbered, illustrated signs all along the trail that tell the story of a children’s book. Your kids will love it…and so will you!

6. Laurel Falls

Laurel Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains, for several reasons. First, it’s very well known. Second, it’s a short, easy, paved hike. Third, it’s an easy location to get to from Gatlinburg. Plus, you might see a bear here. We did!

A young bear along the trail to Laurel Falls

But please note, it’s VERY crowded. There are a couple of parking lots at the trailhead, and a couple more both up and down the road, but some folks park almost 1 mile away from the trailhead! Our advice – get there early!

The hike to Laurel Falls is rated “Easy” by AllTrails. It’s short, only 2.5 miles roundtrip. The hike took us 2 hours, but we stayed at the falls taking photos and chatting with other hikers for a while. The elevation gain is 404′, but the trail is paved (though there are some potholes) so it really is an easy hike.

There are no restrooms at Laurel Falls. However, you are just minutes away from Sugarlands Visitors Center, where there are plenty of them.

Mary Ellen at the bridge at Laurel Falls, one of the most crowded waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains

As you can see from the photo, there is a bridge crossing over the small pool at the base of the falls. The bridge is only a few feet away from the falls.

On the other side of the bridge is a small area where hikers tend to congregate. There are rocks to sit on, but many folks just plop down on the ground (which is also rock). You can see the challenge here – lots of people, all trying to take photos, in a small area. It is a great place to meet people though…

However, this is a potentially dangerous spot, especially for small children, because the left side of the bridge has a sheer, steep drop. Hold on to your kids!

Laurel Falls itself is not very large (in terms of water volume), but because you are standing so close to it, the experience is very enjoyable! It is a pretty little waterfall and a great spot for photo opps!

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Gatlinburg

What’s the Best of the Waterfalls Near Gatlinburg?

That’s a very subjective question! Rainbow Falls is the highest. You can walk behind Grotto Falls. Place of a Thousand Drips is the most unusual. Cataract Falls is the shortest. It really just depends on what you like!

How Much Does The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail Cost to Enter?

There is no cost to drive through the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.

How Much Does The Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cost to Enter?

There is no cost to enter the park. However, if you plan to park for more than 15 minutes while you’re in the park, you’ll need a parking pass. These may be obtained at www.recreation.gov, or the park visitors centers.

Can I Take My Dog Hiking With Me?

Dogs are only allowed on two trails in the park – the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail – and they must be leashed. Your dog can, of course, ride with you on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, but is not allowed on the hiking trails.

Are These Waterfalls “Open” Year-Round?

Laurel Falls and Cataract Falls are open year-round, pending weather conditions. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is closed during the winter months, due to hazardous driving conditions.

Are These the Only Waterfalls Near Gatlinburg?

The answer to this question depends on how you define “near”. There are over 100 waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, as well as in Bryson City, Cherokee, Townsend, and Maggie Valley. All of these are within 1.5 hours of Gatlinburg.

The Verdict – 6 Waterfalls Near Gatlinburg Your Family Will Love

As I wrote earlier, less travel time and more waterfall time! You could easily do all six of these waterfalls near Gatlinburg in a long weekend. And you should!

Happy Hiking!

Photos of Gateway Arch, the Rocky Mountains in the clouds, and Indian Flats waterfall