Streams, Rivers and Lakes

Throughout the Park, each valley has a system of branches, streams and rivers that provides recreational pleasure. Along the southwestern boundary, several TVA lakes can be enjoyed by fishermen and boating enthusiasts. Fishing is permitted within the National Park, the Cherokee Indian Reservation and the surrounding state waters.

For Your Safety
Purify water before drinking.

Park only in designated areas when viewing rivers and falls.

Stay on trails.

Keep off slippery waterfalls and wet rocks.

Closely watch and control children.

Waterfalls Along Trails

The Trail to Rainbow Falls is reached by driving south on Airport Road in Gatlinburg to Cherokee Orchard. This trail, passing through cool shady cove hardwood forests, is a delight for wildflower and mushroom enthusiasts. Although a small creek, the water drops straight down about 80 feet, spraying a fine mist on rocky ledges and nearby plants.

The Grottos Falls Trail begins at stop #5 on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. This easy trail, through a hemlock forest, crosses three small streams and leads behind the falls. The cool moist environment at the falls is perfect for salamanders and summer hikers.

Ramsey Cascades is the highest waterfall in the Park. The trail leads through a rich hardwood forest with many big trees. The falls plunge about 100 feet over the rocks, creating one of the most spectacular cascades in the Smokies. Caution: Do not climb to the top of the cascades. Several visitors have fallen to their death from this falls.

The Hen Wallow Falls Trail makes a pleasant walk through a hemlock, poplar and rhododendron forest to the top of the falls. A side trail leads to the base of the falls in a series of switchbacks. Hen Wallow Creek, only two feet wide at the top of the falls, fans out to a width of twenty feet at the base.

Mingo Falls can be reached by following the Pigeon Creek Trail out of Mingo Falls Campground (on the Cherokee Reservation, south of the Park). A longer side trail branching off at the halfway point will take you to the top of the falls. Mingo Falls has a spectacular drop of about 120 feet.

Indian Creek Falls Trail is on an old road paralleling Deep Creek. It provides an easy grade and a good walking surface. There are pines, oaks, rhododendron and hemlock, with wildflowers in the wetter places. The falls drop 60 feet over rocky ledges to form a big pool at its base.

Juneywhank Falls trailed is located about one-fourth mile beyond the Deep Creek Campground Amphitheater. The trail leads uphill through pine-oak forest to this lovely cascade.

Toms Branch Falls is about one-fourth mile beyond the campground on the Deep Creek Road. The falls can be viewed best in spring or fall when the leaves are off the trees.

Abrams Falls has a large volume of water with a deep pool at its base. The trail to the falls changes from pine-oak on the ridges to hemlock-rhododendron forest along Abrams Creek. Due to the undertow, swimming in the pool at the base of this falls is very dangerous.

Laurel Falls Trail passes through a pine-oak forest. The mountain laurel which is abundant along this trail blooms in mid-May. The trail crosses through Laurel Branch at the base of the upper cascade of the falls.

Overnight Hikes

Persons planning overnight hikes are required to have a Backcountry Permit which may be obtained free of charge from any visitor center, ranger station, or campground.

Whether you are out for an hour or a day, remember to

• wear comfortable, non-slip shoes
• expect variable weather