The Great Smoky Mountains contain an abundance of spectacular waterfalls that are well worth the time and effort required to visit them.

Below are five of our favorite waterfalls in no particular order. If you haven’t yet make the trek to these spots yet then make plans to do so on your next trip to the Great Smokies.

ABRAMS FALLS

Located off the Cades Cove Loop Road, Abrams Falls is one of the most popular waterfall destinations in the Great Smoky Mountains. The falls were supposedly named for Old Abraham, a Cherokee chief who once lived near the cove in the Chilhowee area.

Although it isn’t particularly impressive in its height (20 ft.), the sheer volume of water crashing over the ledge tends to overshadow that shortcoming. Abrams Creek is 35ft. wide at the top of the falls and it plunges into a deep, dark green pool that is over 100ft long and almost as wide.

The hike to Abrams Falls is a 5-mile roundtrip and is only moderate in difficulty. Total elevation gain is 340 feet. The trail ascends into pine-covered ridges along the way but follows the creek for most of its length. It is an especially beautiful hike in the spring and summer when the wildflowers and rhodendron are in bloom. Expect the hike to and from the falls to take you at least three hours, so plan accordingly. – (More Info)

SPRUCE FLATS FALLS

Spruce Flats Falls is a beautiful waterfall located in the Tremont section of the Great Smoky Mountains. The trail to reach the falls begins at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont.

The somewhat little-known trail is only a 2.0 mile roundtrip but it is of moderate difficulty and includes some steep, rocky sections, particularly the final descent to Spruce Flats Falls itself. The trail is often traveled by student groups from the institute at Tremont but because of its location and low visibility you’ll rarely run into much traffic on the trail there.

The main section of the waterfall is roughly 30-feet in height and from there the water cascades over a smaller drop until landing in a beautiful plunge pool at the bottom. Spruce Flats Branch continues on down the mountain where it connects with the Middle Prong in the valley below. – (More Info)

RAINBOW FALLS

Beautiful Rainbow Falls drops nearly 80-feet over a double ledge to the rocks below. From there the water flows quickly down the mountainside in several small cascades.  The first cascade at the bottom of the falls is around 10 ft.

The trailhead to Rainbow Falls gains about 1,500′ in elevation and the 5.4 mile roundtrip hike is considered moderate in difficulty. The Rainbow Falls Trail continues on for roughly 4 miles beyond the falls to the summit of Mount Le Conte.

The trail is very rocky so it’s important that you watch your footing while hiking. It takes about 3-5 hours for the roundtrip to the Falls so plan accordingly.

The difficulty in getting to Rainbow Falls is worth it though as it is without a doubt one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Great Smokies.

MOUSE CREEK FALLS

Located in the Big Creek section of the Great Smoky Mountains, Mouse Creek Falls is a gorgeous cascade at the mouth of  Mouse Creek.

The hike to Mouse Creek Falls is a moderate four-mile roundtrip up the Big Creek Trail which begins near the Big Creek Campground. The trail is a wide road bed and has an Elevation gain over the two-mile hike of 500 feet.

The falls are around 45′ in height. Several small streams come together at the top of the falls and then pass through a narrow opening before spreading out to create a wide cascade at the base. A small pool catches the water and it crosses over what was once an old railroad logging bed. From there it cascades down another 10 feet where it flows into Big Creek. – (More Info)

RAMSEY CASCADES

The tallest and perhaps the most scenic waterfall in the park, Ramsey Cascades drops 100 feet over rock ledges and gathers below in a small pool.

Getting to the falls is not easy however. It’s an 8-mile roundtrip that is considered strenuous in difficulty and it gains over 2,000′ in elevation over its course.

The hike to the falls is scenic however as the trail follows beautiful rivers and streams along the way. The last two miles go through old-growth forest filled with a wide variety of trees such as basswoods and yellow birches.

As mentioned the hike is strenuous and the trail can be very rocky in places so plan accordingly and bring plenty of water and wear good, sturdy hiking shoes. And do NOT climb on the rocks around the waterfall. Many people have been seriously injured and killed over the years attempting to do just that.

Ramsey Cascades is a breathtaking site but takes quite the effort to reach so plan on making this hike an all day affair.