This is a great hike with lots of good scenery. For each of the fields, please provide the following information: After your first search, it isn't necessary to click the "search" button again as this feature will automatically filter your results for any new search features you provide, unless you change the date, the number of nights, or go to a new webpage. Located along Abrams Creek, this waterfall is the largest volume waterfall in the Smokies. The trail to the waterfall gains over 2,000 . This pleasant walk starts at the Sugarlands Visitor Center . Trail surface: natural surface #6 - Cucumber Gap and Little River Loop Trail. Abrams Falls is only 20-feet high. You will want to keep a sharp eye on young kids because there are some drop offs. Make your Gatlinburg vacation fun for everyone no matter how high the temperature rises by checking out our ideas to beat the heat in Gatlinburg. Head to the western side of the Smoky Mountains and youll find an area known as Cades Cove. Due toCovid-19, some activities or businesses may be closed so be sure to call ahead before arriving. Happy you are here! In addition, the path was once a railroad bed, making for a smooth hike today. During the winter season in freezing temperatures, the waterfall freezes and forms beautiful ice columns. and give us insights into user behavior so we can improve our communications and products. Near the half-way point on the one-way loop road, you'll see a sign for the Abrams Falls Trail. lightning, altitude, drowning, etc. Beautiful hike the whole time! The roundtrip distance of this trail is 5-miles and it is rated moderately difficult. Laurel Falls is an easy hike that will take you around an hour to complete. Laurel Falls Trail: Smoky Mountain Hikes - PigeonForge.com If you plan on swimming at the Sinks, be very cautious as this area has strong currents that have drowned swimmers that strayed too close to the falls. On any given day, you'll see every generation of hikers enjoying the moderate 2.6-mile round-trip trail. The trail gains an elevation of about 900-feet and the trail begins to make a steady climb almost from the start and up to the northern flank of Snake Den Mountain. When browsing results, you can add them to your "favorites" by clicking the red plus mark on the bottom left of your desired property. Walking for the sake of walking can be a strange concept for kids. This 90-foot high waterfall begins only as a 2-foot wide creek that fans down to a base that is 20-feet wide. The trail travels 1.9 miles one-way from the Sugarlands Visitor Center to the outskirts of the city of Gatlinburg, TN. Make hiking fun! Most of the trail is paved and well maintained and the waterfall drops 25-feet into a small pool below. Starting out from the Rainbow Falls and Bullhead Parking Area, this trail climbs steadily as it meanders along Le Conte Creek. You can view your selected properties by click the "favorites" tab at the top of the search bar. Grab your gear and head there early to beat the crowd. To find the Troll Bridge, go about 100 feet onto the Little River Trail, and look to the right for an unmarked gravel side trail. It gets everyone out in the fresh air and sunshine. The hike to the falls is just under a 5-mile round-trip. The first two log bridges are easier to cross, however the last two log bridges are a little more challenging and may be appropriate for older kids who wish to see the shelter. Home / Blog / Gatlinburg / 3 Family Friendly Trails for Hiking in Gatlinburg with Kids. SmokyMountainStarlight.com (SMS) respects your privacy. 2. The trail to the falls goes through a small grotto that's been carved out by years or erosion and rock falls. We also recommend trying some easy hikes close to Gatlinburg that are perfect for beginners or families with children. Laurel Falls is another popular trail for hiking in Gatlinburg with kids. Only 10 minutes from Gatlinburg, the Cataract Falls trail will lead you to the falls and back in only .75 miles. The endpoint of the trail is the fabulous Grotto Falls which has the unique distinction of being the only waterfall in the Smokies that you are able to walk behind. Most notably, the grand Smoky Mountains National Park sits just south of the town of Gatlinburg. Top 10 Hiking Trails for Families with Young Children Laurel Falls #1 - Laurel Falls (Length: 2.6 miles round trip) To access the trailhead, take Little River Road for 3.5 miles to the trailhead. Gatlinburg: With an ascent of 8,077 ft, Appalachian Trail: Newfound Gap to Fontana Lake has the most elevation gain of all of the trails in the area. Number of van-accessible spaces with access aisles: 6; Starting from Light 8 in, turn onto Historic Nature Trail / Airport Road. For the most part, the trail to the waterfall travels a gentle grade along a wide and well-worn path. Trails Via Sugarlands Visitor Center are closest to town, while the Oconaluftee and Swain County Visitor Center areas are on the south end of the park. Expedia Group compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs. The last mile or so becomes more steep and is also very rocky. For instance, northeast of Mount LeConte, Ramsey Cascades Trail breaks off from the Greenbrier Cove Trail. The trail starts off with an easy climb and then levels off for the remainder of the journey. SMS will never spam your inbox. By checking the box next to your selected rentals, you can compare up to three properties. When youre hiking in Gatlinburg with kids, you want to make sure to choose hikes that are easy for the children, so you dont have to carry them along the way. On the eastern edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, youll find another of our best Gatlinburg hikes. Rainbow Falls is located scenic slopes of Mount LeConte. You will witness a variety of wildflowers along the way if you get the opportunity to hike this trail during the spring. After driving 0.7 miles veer right onto Cherokee Orchard Road, upon which youll enter into Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Stony Brook Cabins, LLC Beautiful hike to the waterfall uphill both ways (expect inclines hiking both in and out). Stroller friendly and kid friendly trail. The round trip distance to the waterfall is 5.4 miles and the hike is generally considered moderate in difficulty. The round-trip hike begins with a moderate climb and is well suited for older kids. Sandals and flip-flops without good treads will cause you problems. Whether youre searching for Gatlinburg waterfalls, whiskey, or epic hiking trails, the eastern Tennessee mountain town of Gatlinburg is a gateway to adventure. You actually start out on what is known as Fighting Creek Nature Trail, but you will want to make a right turn at the signs pointing your toward Cataract Falls, a cute little waterfall and a lovely nature walk. Easy trail and beautiful waterfall but small. The trail features a gradual climb on a mostly gravel surface. The large volume of water at this waterfall creates strong currents which are dangerous for swimmers and the rocks are slippery with moss and water from the falls. SMS may sometimes use emails to reach out when we think it will be helpful to you based on your subscription to our Events Updates. Theres many things you can do to make hiking fun and less stressful for you and the kids! Throughout the hike you can talk to your children about the mountain laurel that the falls are named after, about the waterfall itself and the history of Laurel Falls. Length 2.4 miElevation gain 403 ftRoute type Out & back Experience this 2.4-mile out-and-back trail near Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The short, easy hike is a draw for many as well as the 25-foot waterfall . Ramsey Cascades is located in the Greenbrier area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a great place for seeing large, old-growth Hemlocks and Poplars. Cabins USA Gatlinburg does not endorse any of Length: 7.9 mi Est. To be safer, consider crossing with a rope or a long pole. Or take a look at the rest of the states most beautiful waterfalls in Tennessee to explore. This family-friendly, 2.6-mile walk leads to one of the most photographed spots in the entire park. With the look and feel of a tropical waterfall, Grotto Falls is one of the most popular Gatlinburg waterfalls. Mayna was an artist who did her artwork in the cabin around 1926. The first 1.5 miles follow an abandoned logging route. However, the Meigs Creek Trail does begin at the Sinks if you want a peaceful walk in the woods. Were in our 50s. info from The Great Smoky Mountain National Park Services. Read Also: Bears in Gatlinburg: 7 best places and tips to see a bear Meet our new guest blogger! This is a gravel trail that is quiet and serene. LeConte. Whether you're getting ready to hike, bike, trail run, or explore other outdoor activities, AllTrails has 102 scenic trails in the Gatlinburg area. The hike to Hen Wallow Falls is a 4.4-mile round trip along the Gabes Mountain Trail and is considered moderately difficult. This pleasant trail leads hikers to the 18-foot tall Meigs Creek Cascades which is another lovely waterfall in the park. After doing this, you will have to perform a new availability search.The number next to the favorites tab is the number of properties you have selected. The three most popular neighborhoods to stay in Gatlinburg are: Gatlinburg is also known for its tourist-friendly charm and hospitality. Looking upstream beyond this point will give you the view of Grotto Falls for the first time. Juney Whank Falls Trail is short and steep. When using our "search" feature, you can make a list of favorites. It is recommended that you wear good, sturdy shoes. Our hiking blog has tips and tricks for vacationers in Gatlinburg who want -, Any time of year is a great time to visit Gatlinburg and the Smokies! If it didnt rattle to warn us we wouldnt of seen it, so camouflaged. Keep on the lookout, thoughyou may still find evidence of the old logging railway. Gatlinburg, Tennessee is located south to the Pigeon Forge and surrounds the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. While traveling through Gatlinburg, remember to follow healthy travel practices like washing your hands regularly, wearing a mask, and keeping a safe distance from others. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Best Hiking Trails in Gatlinburg for Kids. This hike is approximately 2.6 miles long and is one of the waterfall hiking trails in Gatlinburg. Grotto Falls is one of the best family-friendly hikes in the Smoky Mountains. This trail loop can be combined with others like. However, youll love the reward a 100 foot waterfall. You will want to keep a sharp eye on young kids because there are some drop offs. As the tallest waterfall in the park, Ramsey Cascades will take your breath away. You dont want to end up on the trail with a hungry child and you want to make sure the snacks you take will give them energy to keep moving. Easy trail with ample parking, public bathrooms, picnic area, pavillion and beginning at a pretty bridge. For little kids, its an easy, paved area to walk around and theres plenty of things to look at, including historical cabins, wildlife and more. Some fun little scrambling up the hill around the falls. Planning a multi-day vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg? Photos (2,850) Directions. Credit: Aaron McCoig. Beginning of the trail is spectacular with blooming Rhododendrons all along the waterway. Remember water and snacks. This trail is very well maintained and features a gravel path with some paved areas and even a wooden bridge to cross over. businesses, or services on the Cabins USA Gatlinburg web site is for informational purposes only. Pretty quick to do, up hill on the way to the waterfall. It's a great and convenient place to start a hike anyways. Stroller-Friendly Walking Trails | Gatlinburg, TN - cabinsforyou.com LaConte Lodge was meh. The trailhead is direct to the left of the Sugarlands Visitor Center (looking from the parking area). Simply click the "+" sign on the lower left side of the property you are interested in. Kid friendly and great environment! The car is over 100 years old. This moderately easy route follows along the Little River Trail and leads to the cascading Huskey Branch Falls. For a little extra information, stop by the Cades Cove Visitor Center and pick up a small booklet (for only $1) that gives visitors a tour of the area. The first mile to the falls is what many families tend to hike. You may purchase a daily, weekly, or annual tag online or at the visitor's center. Experience a Gatlinburg vacation packed with fun by scheduling things around these extraordinary Gatlinburg events in 2023! Beware the parking lot gets full often, so arrive early! Starting near the base of Piney Mountain, this trail to Grotto Falls can be busier during the warmer months and the parking area is limited so its recommended to get there early. purehiker.com is a participant in the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Meigs Falls is one of those waterfalls in Gatlinburg that can be for people who do not want to hike AND also those who love adventure and want to literally get their feet wet. It isn't necessary that you wait for a search to be completed before you select or deselect different search features. Hikers can see about five cascades and Spruce Falls is the second. This is a long hike at 5.4 miles roundtrip, but well worth the effort. Thirteen miles southwest of Cookeville sits beautiful Burgess Falls, with waters crashing down over 250 feet in elevation. So if you are looking to visit Gatlinburg, here are the 8 hiking trails with waterfalls that you should visit. This is a very popular area for hiking and walking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Most of the water comes from the 6621 Mt. Among these flowers, you can find yellow trillium, white violets, squaw corn, Dutchmans breeches and stitchwort which are common in the area. Keep in mind that this trail is extremely popular and can be very crowded in the peak months of the national park season. Laurel Falls via Adobe Stock. The water, especially at the waterfall, is just as dangerous as the water at the streams in the park. The park website states that hikers shouldnt attempt to climb rocks near any waterfall. You will see the Little River Trail trailhead in about half a mile. And finally, consider booking a hotel with free cancellation options in the case that you may need to change your travel plans at the last minute. Did you know there is a school in the Great Smoky Mountains? The most popular and difficult trail in Gatlinburg is, Myrtle Point and Mount LeConte via Alum Cave Trail, Appalachian Trail: Newfound Gap to Fontana Lake. It is located in the northeast section of the National Park and makes for an excellent day hike. this info from The Great Smoky Mountain National Park Services. Preview trail Kid friendly Hiking Walking Forest Partially paved River Views Waterfall Wildflowers Wildlife Fee No dogs Description While there is no entrance fee, a paid parking tag is required for those who park for longer than 15 minutes. Non-native arborvitae, boxwood, and yucca were planted by the CCC and can still be found here. The next highest ascent for waterfall trails is Peregrine Peak and Rainbow Falls via Alum Cave Trail with 4,845 ft of elevation gain. Official websites will provide the latest updates on local policies and the status of local businesses. The roundtrip loop trail goes through the forest and gently climbs to the Grotto Falls waterfall. Explore the most popular waterfall trails near Gatlinburg with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Once you find your perfect rental for the right date, simply click "book now" to begin the booking process. This term is used in hiking. 4 Easy Ways to Purify Water in the Wilderness, The 7 Hiking Trails in Maine with Waterfalls, Hiking the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim in One Day, Best Hiking Pants for Hot Weather of 2023. The main parking lot for Laurel Falls will be on your right, with additional parking across the street. Great hike with lots of trees, faunas, waterfalls everywhere on the trail. Near the half-way point, you'll see a sign for the Abrams Falls Trail. Hiking is a great activity for everyone while visiting the Smoky Mountains! Please be aware that once you leave SmokyMountainStarlight.com, each outside site has their own individual privacy policy. Water drops 100 feet over rock outcroppings and collects in a small pool where numerous salamanders can be found. This abundant rainfall trickles and rushes down the mountainsides forming amazing waterfalls. Download the official NPS app before your next visit, Trailhead: 8.8 miles south of Newfound Gap on HWY 441 or 5 miles north of Smokemont, Restroom Facilities: Colins Creek Picnic Area (open in summer and early fall) and Smokemont Campground (year-round), Distance: 2 mile round trip to Porters Flat from the parking lot, Trailhead: Greenbrier Cove, 6 miles east of Gatlinburg.