Located just a few miles from Gatlinburg, Laurel Falls is without a doubt the most visited waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains. A 1.3 mile paved trail leads to the falls and on most days you’ll have plenty of company on the trail unless you visit early in the morning or in the offseason.

The trails winds through oak and hemlock with splendid views of  Meigs and Blanket Mountains. In mid-May the white and pink blooms of Mountain Laurel are in abundance making for a beautiful display near the Falls. Laurel Falls itself is a  succession of drops and slides that makes for a wonderful site any time of year.

To reach Laurel Falls from the Sugarlands Visitor Center, turn toward Cades Cove on Little River Road and drive 3.5 miles to the trailhead. You’ll see parking areas on both sides of the road.