Grotto Falls in Gatlinburg, TN - Smoky Mountains Ventures

Author standing in the grotto behind Grotto Falls

Grotto Falls in Gatlinburg, TN, is not to be missed, especially if you have children. It’s one of our favorite waterfall hikes, and we believe you’ll love it, too.

Continue reading to learn about this fun spot!

What's Inside This Post...

1. Getting To Grotto Falls From Gatlinburg is a Fun Drive

Grotto Falls is located on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, just outside of Gatlinburg, TN. This is one of our favorite drives in the Smoky Mountains. The road is a 5.5-mile one-way loop that winds through the mountains and takes you past several trailheads to waterfalls and several historical structures.

Turn off Parkway, the main street through Gatlinburg, at light #8 onto Historic Nature Trail-Airport Rd. (All of the traffic lights on Parkway are conveniently numbered.) This road will become Cherokee Orchard Rd before you’ve traveled very far. You will pass the Noah “Bud” Ogle Nature Trail about 2.5 miles in.

A bit past the Noah “Bud” Ogle Nature Trail the road divides. Take the right fork. You will pass the Rainbow Falls-Bullhead trailheads. Go straight another 0.3 miles and turn right, just past the second Rainbow Falls parking area, onto Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.

Pro Tip – Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is closed in winter due to weather and hazardous driving conditions.

(Click anywhere on the map below to enlarge the image.)

Map showing directions from Gatlinburg to the Grotto Falls parking area

2. Parking is a Breeze at Grotto Falls

There is a good bit of parking at Grotto Falls, 16 parking spots, plus room for “creative parking” if need be. We had no trouble finding an open spot.

Be Aware – Since Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a one-way loop, you might have to park past the trailhead if the parking lot is full, and that may entail a rather long walk. (I noticed on the reviews on AllTrails that some people had parked at the Rainbow Falls parking area, which is almost two miles before the Grotto Falls trailhead, and walked up the road to get there. Yikes!)

Pro Tip – Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail can become VERY crowded later in the day. We recommend getting there in the morning – the earlier the better. Even better, skip the “sit-down” breakfast and grab some donuts at The Donut Friar in Gatlinburg to snack on along the way!

3. Restrooms

If you’re anything like me, you NEVER skip a restroom, because, who knows when you’ll find another one. Fortunately, there are restrooms located at the end of the parking area.

4. The Hike to Grotto Falls is Beautiful

Trillium Gap Trailhead, which leads to Grotto Falls, is just at the end of the parking area for Grotto Falls. The hike is 2.6 miles out and back (roundtrip) and rated “Moderate” by AllTrails. There is an elevation gain of 545′, all of it on the way to the falls. Of course, the upside is it’s downhill all the way back! I made it, and I’m in my mid-60’s!

Take your time and enjoy the hike. As is true for all of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the native plants and wildflowers along the trail are beautiful. We spotted galax, woodland ferns, mountain laurels, native azaleas, and more. We spent as much time enjoying the flowers along the trail as we did at the falls!

5. The Grotto

Grotto Falls is by no means the biggest waterfall in the Smoky Mountains, nor is it the prettiest. But we really enjoy it, because it has its own grotto! (A grotto is a small, shallow cave.) In this case, the falls spill over the entrance of the grotto, allowing you to walk behind the falls from one side to the other, where the trail continues for several more miles.

This is a great spot for photos, so be sure to bring your camera.

The author standing in the grotto behind Grotto Falls

6. The “Kiddie Pool”

Grotto Falls is also a great place for young children because it also has its own Kiddie Pool! At the base of the falls is a small, shallow pool, which is perfect for kids to play in. Bring some dry clothes for the kiddos so they can splash and play in the pool.

The falls spilling into the small wading pool at its base

The falls spilling into a small pool at its base

7. Bears!

When we arrived back at the parking area following our hike to Grotto Falls there was a “welcoming committee”, a mother bear, along with three cubs (they are hidden in the photos) walked out of the woods as we approached our car. Like most black bears, this girl just ignored us as she walked casually through the parking lot and down the road with her cubs in tow.

Your chances of seeing a bear are good anywhere in the Smoky Mountains, so keep your eyes open. If you do see one of these beauties, keep your distance and enjoy the show. And please, never try to feed any wildlife – it’s dangerous for you and the animal.

Black bear emerging from the woods at the Grotto Falls parking area

Black bear walking through the parking area

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Grotto Falls open year-round?

No…and Yes. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail closes during the winter months, due to inclement weather, so it is impossible to get to the trailhead.

However, Grotto Falls is accessible via Porters Creek Trail to Brushy Mountain Trail to Trillium Gap Trail. Hiking this route allows you to approach Grotto Falls from the opposite direction.

Be aware that this is not an easy hike. It begins in the Greenbriar section of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is 14.2 miles out and back.

When is the best time of day to go to Grotto Falls?

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is open 9:00am-9:00pm every day. The best time to arrive is when it opens. You’ll avoid the biggest crowds, the weather will be cooler, and your chances of seeing wildlife are better.

Is the hike to Grotto Falls wheelchair/stroller accessible?

Sorry, it is not.

Should I be worried about bears?

Black bears are generally non-aggressive. Do not approach them, do not yell at them, and do not try to feed them. Keep your distance and you should have no problems.

The Verdict – Grotto Falls in Gatlinburg, TN

If you’re chasing a waterfall that’s big and majestic and 50′ tall with huge volumes of water, this isn’t it. You should try Abrams Falls or Spruce Flats Falls.

But if you’re looking for a waterfall that’s fun for your children, where they (and you) can splash in the pool and walk behind the falls, Grotto Falls may be perfect. Give it a try on your next visit to Gatlinburg.

Three photos - Gateway Arch, Rocky Mountains in the clouds, and Indian Flats waterfall

Grotto Falls in Gatlinburg, TN – 7 Reasons You’ll Love It!