Easy Waterfall Hikes In The Smoky Mountains To Refresh Your Mind

Laurel Falls Trail is one of the popular waterfall hikes in Gatlinburg. The trail is rated as easy and suitable for families with young children.

Bears are also active in this area, so it's best to prepare accordingly.

• Parking: Located on both sides of the road at the Trailhead
• Features: 80-foot Laurel Falls at the end of the trail
• Skill Level: Easy
• Length: 3.9-km out-and-back
• Time to Hike: About 1 hr. and 6 mins.
• Stroller-Friendly? YES (but it does have points that are narrow and bumpy)
• Pet-Friendly? No.

PRO TIP: Do not climb on the rocks around the waterfall. They are slippery! For more tips and information on hiking trails, visit AllTrails!

Check out the shortest waterfall hike in the Smoky Mountains– Juney Whank Falls Trails. This 1.0-km trail near Bryson North Carolina is a kid-friendly hike that would only take you 21 minutes to complete.

The best time to visit is from March through October.

• Features: Juney Whank Falls, wildflower, wildlife
• Skill Level: Easy
• Length: 1.0-km loop trail
• Time to Hike: Approximately 21 minutes
• Stroller-Friendly? NO
• Pet-Friendly? NO

PRO TIP: 

• Be ready for an uphill hike to get to the waterfall (only about 0.3 mi) and downhill on the way down.
• You can add the other nearby waterfalls (Indian Creek Falls & Tom Branch Falls) to make the hike longer.
• Please watch children all the time.
• For more tips and information on hiking trails, visit AllTrails!

Cataract Falls is a stunning waterfall located in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which spans the border of Tennessee and North Carolina.

This breathtaking cascade is named for its powerful, thundering flow of water that tumbles over a series of jagged rocks, creating a mesmerizing spectacle for visitors

• Parking: Park at the Sugarlands Visitor Center
• Features: Wildflowers, waterfall, wildlife
• Skill Level: Easy
• Length: 1.8-km out-and-back
• Time to Hike: About 21 mins.
• Kid-Friendly? Yes
• Stroller-Friendly? Yes, but may need assistance in the steeper sections
• Pet-Friendly? No

For more tips and information on this hiking trail, visit AllTrails!

The Deep Creek Waterfall Loop is a stunning hiking trail located in the southern region of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in North Carolina.

This 3.9-km loop trail takes hikers through a beautiful forest, across picturesque streams, and past three spectacular waterfalls - Juney Whank Falls, Tom Branch Falls, and Indian Creek Falls.

• Parking: Park at the Sugarlands Visitor Center
• Features: Wildflowers, waterfall, wildlife
• Skill Level: Easy
• Length: 3.9-km out-and-back
• Time to Hike: About 1 hr. & 8 mins.
• Stroller-Friendly? No
• Pet-Friendly? No

PRO TIP: Start with Juney Whank falls for your ascent. For more tips and information on hiking trails, visit AllTrails!

The Gatlinburg Trail is a beautiful hiking trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

This easy-rated trail follows the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River and offers picturesque views of the forest, river, and historic buildings, making it a great choice for a family-friendly hike or leisurely walk.

• Parking: Park at the Sugarlands Visitor Center
• Features: Waterfall, Wildflowers, Wildlife
• Skill Level: Easy
• Length: 6.3-km out-and-back trail
• Time to Hike: About 1 hr. 17 mins.
• Stroller-Friendly? Yes
• Pet-Friendly? Yes, but must be leashed

PRO TIP: There's a 2-inch gap from the trail to the bridge so the bridge over Little Pigeon River at about 1.2 miles may not be wheelchair or stroller accessible.

For more tips and information on this trail, check out AllTrails!