Three Smoky Mountain waterfalls in this beautiful national park
Three Smoky Mountain waterfalls
Seeing waterfalls and cascades in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a great adventure in this destination along the Tennessee and North Carolina border. On a recent trip hiking trip I was able to get three of them in. The first two were stops along the road, and the last one I hiked past on my way out of the mountains.
Laurel Falls
Located along the park road between the main entrance near Gatlinburg and Cades Cove, Laurel Falls is a perfect place for hikers of all abilities to enjoy a mountain waterfall. The waterfall is located 1.3 miles off the main road on a paved trail. There is a little bit of elevation gain, so it is not a super easy hike, but thanks to the pavement, there are no rocks or roots to impede your gait.
Three Smoky Mountain waterfalls – Laurel Falls
Once you arrive at the waterfall, there is a bridge right in front of the waterfall that gives a perfect view. There is also a lower falls below the bridge. You have to do some off trail walking to get to the lower falls. The lower falls is almost an exact replica of the upper falls, and not as pretty as the upper falls, but it is still worth checking out.
Lower Laurel Falls not as impressive as the top
As I was leaving I noticed a rhododendron bush in full bloom hanging over the falls. I just had to get a picture of the flower with framed with the waterfall as the background.
Rhododendron bloom framed over Laurel Falls
The Sinks
A little bit farther down the road is The Sinks. The Sinks are more a powerful rapids than a falls, but it is worth a stop. This cascade is right off the road, so no hiking required. There is a stairway with an observation area for optimal viewing.
Three Smoky Mountain waterfalls – The powerful Sinks
The Sinks is a popular swimming spot. Several people have drowned here, so be careful as the water is stronger than it looks.
Abrams Falls
About halfway through the 11 mile Cades Cove loop scenic drive is Abrams Falls. This trail takes the most effort to get to as the falls are 2.5 miles away one-way. This means a five mile round trip hike, so it takes 2-4 hours just in walking depending on your speed.
Three Smoky Mountain waterfalls – Powerful Abrams Falls
I flanked Abrams Falls and came around the back way from the Gregory’s Ridge Trail off the Appalachian Trail. I wanted to take a swim in the pool underneath the falls. This is another area where people have drowned, so be careful.
I visited Abrams Falls over the 4th of July weekend and there was a mob there. It is a popular day hiking trail since it is only five miles and the waterfall is spectacular.
Three Smoky Mountain waterfalls – Had a great swim in the pool
Despite the amount of people, surprisingly no one was swimming. I soon found out why. The water was icy cold. I finally found the courage to jump in. I drove 10 hours to get here and swim in this falls, so I would not be denied; however, I did not stay in long.
This sums up the three waterfall adventure in the Smokies. There are others to experience including Rainbow, Meigs Creek, Grotto, and Ramsey Cascade, but those are four I will save for another trip.
Adventure on!
TT
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I’m glad to read that people do swim in the falls. In Vietnam, I’d been to waterfalls which are not open for swimming, just for taking photos. 🙁
Aleah | SolitaryWanderer.com recently posted..7 More Stories of Kindness on the Road
One of my favorite waterfalls I have ever swam at was in the Philippines in the rice terraces in Batad.
I’ve been to two of the three waterfalls here – great little hikes up to them too.
JP recently posted..Experience the Vibe at the “Asheville Drum Circle”
Next time I want to visit Ramsey Cascade. Heard good things about this little waterfall and trail.
Swimming in waterfalls is almost always cold. I’ve had a couple of opportunities this summer in Mexico and Puerto Rico and both instances were frigid. But if you’re going to travel all that way to get to it, you better jump in.
Trips By Lance recently posted..Puerto Rico Run: Condado to Old San Juan
I have swam in this pool several times and it was never this cold. They had a cold winter and spring like many places, so the water temperature has not moderated yet, which is unusual for it being this late in the summer.
There’s something that never gets old about waterfalls. Whether they’re massive like Niagara or smaller like these in the Smoky mountains, they’re just so pretty. I’d totally hike with you to these.
Leah recently posted..10 of the Best Dishes I Ate in France {During July}
There is something special when you mix moving water, rocks, and gravity that as you say never gets old.
Like Leah said, there’s just something about waterfalls… no matter how big or how small. I like waterfalls that require some effort to get to. It’s like a reward at the end of the trail 🙂
Francesca (@WorkMomTravels) recently posted..Cool camping in a KOA deluxe cabin
They are easy on the eyes and just radiate a peaceful feeling. Just like a beautiful view, a hike to a waterfall is a just reward.
I love a good waterfall and you found three! These are all so beautiful and each in their own way.
Erin at The World Wanderer recently posted..15 Inspiring Quotes About Nature.
Thanks Erin,
Waterfalls are a wonderful site. I am still hitting myself that I was too drunk to take more time while in Toronto to see Niagara.
These are beautiful! I LOVE waterfalls and will always go out of my way to hike to them. I don’t blame you for jumping in, you traveled really far! I’m really excited to jump in the La Fortuna waterfalls next month in Costa Rica.
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It is your good fortune to be soon swimming at La Fortuna. Enjoy Costa Rica. Pura Vida!
looks very relaxing! though we’d probably skip the ice cold swimming…
the lazy travelers recently posted..parisian favorites from a year in the île-de-france (part 1)
Usually the summer in Tennessee feels like an armpit with extreme humidity. When it is that hot and you hike a 2.5 mile trail, it does not matter how cold the water as it feels great. Fortunately, it was not that hot today, but after three days without a shower, I was still going in.
My husband, 6 year old and I had a great time hiking to Laurel Falls! It was an easy hike and really fun to get into the falls once we arrived. We began at 5PM in September to avoid the crowds, it was approximately 40 minutes each way. Beautiful views through the forest and overlooking the gorgeous Smokies. Will definitely be back! (Note: I saw families with strollers but it looked difficult to manage, there are several uneven parts of the path)
Yolanda recently posted..The 8 Hiking Trails in Gatlinburg TN with Waterfalls
Hello Yolanda,
Thank you for reading, commenting, and sharing your experience!