A guide to some of the best cascading water in the Smokies and beyond
One of the blessings of living in or near the mountains is access to beautiful waterfalls. To be clear, you don’t necessarily need mountains to have a great waterfall. However, rapid changes in elevation do increase the frequency and availability of the natural wonder of falling water.
Humans have a natural attraction to falling water. We make it a point highlight and visit the places where rivers and streams have precipitous drops. But have we really given much thought as to why we are so attracted?
I mean, obviously, it’s the beauty, right? Water tumbling off cliffs or down rocky edifices makes for great pictures to take home and put up on the wall. But it’s more than that. We enjoy even the muddiest of rivers going over drops even if it’s not especially visually pleasing.
Maybe it’s the power. Languid streams and rivers suddenly revealing just how much force – how much energy – is moving downstream is an awe-inspiring site. The TVA hasn’t often had to open Douglas or Cherokee Dams. But when they do, it offers a glimpse into the force of the natural world.
I think – however – it’s the sound. The splendid cacophony that drowns out everything else and creates the loudest peace you’ll ever hear. There’s a reason an entire cottage industry around creating water sounds for those who need a little noise to relax at the end of the day.
And so, whether you’re visiting East Tennessee or a resident, just know that while you are here there is a treasure trove of beautiful, interesting and powerful versions of cascading water.
The Best waterfalls in the Smokies and beyond:
1. Cumberland Falls
Located within the Daniel Boone National Forest and the Cumberland Falls State Park, these falls are among the most majestic you can find in the region. At about 68-feet tall, they’re nearly twice as wide as they are tall moving more H2O than any waterfall in the Eastern United States that’s not Niagara Falls. They’re accessible – there’s a wheelchair friendly viewing deck – and powerful.
So, what makes these falls so special? Welcome my friends to the only known regularly occurring moonbow in the Western Hemisphere. What is a moonbow? On clear nights, when the moon is full or nearly so, the moonlight forms a lunar rainbow over the falling waters. It is a unique and awe-inspiring sight.
How do you know when the moonbow will occur? The park’s website publishes a calendar of when conditions might be ripe for a moonbow. That said, you’ll need to check the weather forecast as well. The full moon can’t penetrate the clouds so you need the right conditions to see the majesty.
The falls are a little more than two-hour drive from Pigeon Forge. There’s quite a bit to do in the state park if you fancy a visit. If you’re in Corbin, you can also stop by the Harland Sanders Café and Museum, celebrating the Colonel of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame. Or you can drive to Yahoo Falls, another popular falls and hiking trail in the area.
2. Ruby Falls
The tallest underground waterfall that’s open to the public in the United States, Ruby Falls was discovered by accident in the 1920s. Chemist, cave enthusiast and businessman Leo Lambert was trying to find another cavern which he could open up for tourists. His drilling team opened up an unexpected cavern and the rest is history.
The waterfall itself is 145-feet in length and located more than 1,120 feet under the mountain. It isn’t a terribly difficult hike. However, there are multiple rounds of stairs and it is not accessible by wheelchair or for the mobility challenged.
I thought about dinging the falls in the ranking because it is dependent on rainwater which means in times of low rain or drought, the falls are artificially augmented to keep the experience worth the price of admission. However, in this region which is blessed with so many waterfalls, the unique characteristics of Ruby Falls are highly valued.
It’s about two and a half hours from Pigeon Forge depending on the West Knoxville traffic. You can bundle it with a trip to Rock City so you can see the wonders of Lookout Mountain from above and below.
3. Fall Creek Falls
Probably the most visually arresting waterfalls on this list, Fall Creek Falls is located within its eponymous state park near Spencer, Tennessee on the western edge of the Cumberland Plateau. The falls represent a 256-foot plunge. I don’t know the right terminology to explain how it appears as if a section of the forest was scooped away. The water emerges from thick trees and falls past round park rock into the pool below.
There is a short hike to see the falls of about a mile, though it’s longer and more difficult if you want to get down into the basin. It’s about two and a half hours from Pigeon Forge and there is lodging available at the park.
4. Ramsey Cascades
The tallest waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Ramsey Cascades is located in the Greenbrier section of the park. It is a strenuous 8-mile round trip hike that should not be undertaken lightly. The trail – though difficult – is quite popular so parking at the trailhead off of Ramsey Prong Road can be difficult.
As you would expect from the name, the Cascades are not a sheer fall. The water tumbles – or cascades – down multiple layers of rock. It’s about 40 minutes from Pigeon Forge to the trailhead.
5. Grotto Falls
One of several falls accessible via the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail just outside of Gatlinburg, the Grotto Falls are unique in that the area behind the falls has been carved out and hikers are able to go behind the falls and see the fabled backside of water you hear so much about during Disney vacations.
The hike to the falls is relatively short – 2.6 miles round trip – and not overly difficult. Use the Trillium Gap Trailhead to access the 25-foot high waterfall.
6. Bald River Falls
Located near Tellico Plains in Monroe County – not far from the Cherohala Skyway – Bald Rivers Falls represents large cascading waterfall, roughly 90 feet tall. The area has been closed to visitors due to bridge construction but is expected to be open any day now.
Though not very far from Pigeon Forge as the crow flies, there’s not a lot of good ways to get there. It’s about a three-hour drive.
7. Catawba Falls
A series of waterfalls tumbling down the mountains of the Pisgah National Forest in Western North Carolina, the Catawba Falls are both beautiful and unique with two major waterfalls stacked in close proximity. The infrastructure reaching Upper Catawaba Falls was destroyed by Hurricane Helene and that part of the hike remains off limits. But the trails to the lower falls and the parking area is open.
The trail to the falls is 2.1 miles out and back with 308 feet of elevation gain. Located on the Eastern side of Asheville and Black Mountain, the Catawba Falls are about two and half hours from Pigeon Forge.
8. Looking Glass Falls
Located in the Pisgah National Forest Near Brevard, the Looking Glass Falls are just pretty. A nice evenly proportioned falls where the Looking Glass Creek tumbles about 60 feet. The falls are popular because they are easily accessible, located right on the side of NC Highway 280. They are particularly memorable in the cold of winter when the falls can freeze over.
Like all of the waterfalls on this list, visitors are encouraged not to try to climb up or around the falls as missteps or slips can lead to serious or even fatal injuries. It’s about two and a half hours from Pigeon Forge to Looking Glass Falls.
9. Laurel Falls
A little closer to home, Laurel Falls is a popular destination in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The falls burst forth from the forest and they spread out as they cascade over stair-step like rocks. Getting to the falls is usually fairly easy. But in January, the Laurel Falls trail was closed for an expected 18 month of rehab work.
According to a release from the NPS ”during the closure of Laurel Falls Trail, access to Laurel Falls will be closed from both Little River Road and the junction of Little Greenbrier Trail and Cove Mountain Trail. Furthermore, Sugarland Mountain Trail and its parking lot will also be closed, with no drop-offs or use permitted.”
10. The Place of a Thousand Drips
Located at the end of the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail just outside of Gatlinburg, you don’t even have to get out of your car to see the Place of a Thousand Drips, which sounds like something out of a “Kung-fu” movie.
This waterfall – or more accurately dozens of tiny waterfalls – tumble down the mountain finding various cracks and crevices to follow. When the water is high, it can be quite peaceful and diverting to follow the tumbling water as it makes it was down the mountain side to the creek below.
In the dry season? It can be a bit underwhelming. Still, you don’t have to hike miles to see it. It makes for quite a pretty picture in the right conditions and it is amazingly named.
See our full road trip route here
Have you visited any of these waterfalls? Let us know in the comments!