Grotto Falls vs Laurel Falls - Which is Better?

For some reason, people often ask, “Grotto Falls vs Laurel Falls – Which one is better?” That’s such a subjective question – it depends a great deal on your personal preferences, doesn’t it?

But in this post, I’m going to tackle that question. We’ll compare and contrast these waterfalls, then I’ll make my decision…and you can make yours!

What's Inside This Post...

Grotto Falls vs Laurel Falls – What Do They Have in Common?

These two waterfalls do have a few things in common…

Distance From Gatlinburg

Grotto Falls is a bit over 6 miles from Gatlinburg, on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. The drive time is almost 30 minutes. Laurel Falls is a little farther away – 7.3 miles – but only takes about 20 minutes to get there from Gatlinburg.

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

Map showing directions from Gatlinburg to Grotto Falls and Gatlinburg to Laurel Falls

Can I Bring My Dog?

Sorry, but dogs are not allowed on either trail. The only two trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that allow dogs are the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail. On these trails, they must be leashed at all times.

Wheelchair Accessibility

Neither of these trails are accessible to wheelchairs.

Trail Length

Both of these hikes are relatively short. Grotto Falls is 2.6 miles roundtrip, with an elevation gain of 544′ while Laurel Falls is 2.4 miles roundtrip, with an elevation gain of 403′.

Area at the Base of the Falls

Neither of these waterfalls have very much space at the base of their falls. They both have a small, shallow pool that’s fun for kids, but you may feel a bit crowded at either of them.

Bears

We have seen bears on each of these hikes, so this one is a tie.

Contrasting Grotto Falls vs Laurel Falls – How Do These Waterfalls Differ From Each Other?

Crowds

If you’re looking for solitude, stay away from Laurel Falls. The National Park Service estimates 375,000 people visited Laurel Falls in 2020, and post-COVID that number has only gone up. Grotto Falls is crowded, but not that crowded!

A crowd of hikers at the top of Laurel Falls

Parking

Grotto Falls is the clear winner here. There are actually more parking spaces at Laurel Falls, but there are also a lot more cars!

Volume of Water

Laurel Falls wins this one. It has much more water spilling over the falls, and it falls over multiple levels and divides into multiple cascades. It is a much prettier waterfall than Grotto Falls.

Grotto Falls has considerably less volume and is concentrated into just a couple of streams.

The Trails

I’m picking Laurel Falls for this one. The trail is paved (albeit wearing away) and more scenic, with wonderful views of the Smoky Mountains in the distance. Grotto Falls is on the Trillium Gap trail, which is a bit rougher and a bit less scenic.

Which Waterfall is More Kid-Friendly?

My vote goes to Grotto Falls, for one reason. The area at the top of Laurel Falls has a sheer dropoff just a few feet from the bridge. This is not a place to leave your young children unattended. Keep an eye on them, please.

Secret Sauce

Each of these waterfalls has a “secret sauce” that makes it special.

Grotto Falls has a grotto, a small, shallow cave just behind the falls that allows you to walk behind the waterfall from one side to the other. Great photo opp!

Laurel Springs has a bridge that crosses right over the pool at the base of the falls. The bridge is just a few feet from the waterfall and is a great place for photos.

Jeff standing in the Grotto Falls grotto, just behind the falling water

The bridge that crosses in front of Laurel Falls

Other Considerations…

Sometime in 2024, the National Park Service will be closing for major renovations, including…

Widening and repaving the trail
Widening the bridge
Constructing a new viewing platform
Adding more parking
Adding a shuttle service to the trailhead

While this welcome news, there is a downside – Laurel Falls will be closed to the public for 18 months. NPS has not yet announced when the project will begin.

The Verdict – Grotto Falls vs Laurel Falls – Which One is Better?

Each of these waterfalls has much to commend it. They are both a lot of fun and if you have the opportunity, go visit them both.

But if you’re pressed for time and can visit just one, I would choose…Laurel Falls, with this caveat – it may be closed by the time you read this. (I will update this post when NPS announces the start date for the renovation.)

In the meantime, “Happy Hiking”!

The Gateway Arch in St. Louis, the Rocky Mountains above the clouds, and Indian Flats Falls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park