Waterfalls Near Gatlinburg — Laurel Falls, Grotto Falls & More

The Smoky Mountains get more rainfall than anywhere in the continental US outside the Pacific Northwest — which means waterfalls everywhere. Here are the best ones accessible from Gatlinburg.

Laurel Falls (2.6 miles round trip, easy)

The most visited waterfall in the park. An 80-foot cascade split into upper and lower sections, reached by a paved trail through hardwood forest. The pavement makes it accessible for families and older visitors, but it also means crowds — go before 9 AM or after 4 PM. The falls are beautiful year-round: surrounded by mountain laurel blooms in spring, lush green in summer, golden foliage in fall, and partially frozen in winter.