Take A Spring Waterfall Tour in the Smokies

Things To Do in Gatlinburg

Springs heralds the beginning of new growth; the icy waters of winter soften in flowing streams as the brown earth blooms green. During springtime, the waterfalls of the Smoky Mountains reach the pinnacle of their beauty--a perfect time to explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and capture scenic photos. Here is just a sampling of the beautiful, scenic Smoky Mountain waterfalls for you to visit this spring.

Grotto Falls

Grotto falls, at 3 miles round trip, provides an accessible hike suitable for all ages. To access the falls, simply take the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail in Gatlinburg, a route with many scenic stops, until you reach the sign for Grotto Falls. The waterfall itself is 25-feet high and is the only waterfall in the national park one can walk behind!

Laurel Falls

A popular trail among many visitors to the Smoky Mountains, Laurel Falls is an 80-foot waterfall, accessible via Laurel Branch Trail, one of a few paved trails in the national park. Named for its abundant mountain laurel which flanks the trail, Laurel Falls is a must-see on your spring waterfall tour.

Rainbow Falls

On a warm, sunny day you might actually see a rainbow form among the mist at Rainbow Falls, a popular sightseeing spot in the Smoky Mountains. Round trip, Rainbow Falls comes in at 5.4 miles and reaches an elevation of almost 1,700 ft.

Ramsey Cascades

Ramsey Cascades holds the honor of being the tallest waterfall in the national park, and it’s also the most difficult hike on our list. The strenuous 8-mile round trip Ramsey Cascades Trail takes around six hours to hike in total, but the payoff is well-worth the effort. Standing at 100-ft tall, Ramsey Cascades is an impressive sight to behold and certainly one you don’t want to miss this spring.

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