Chimney Tops Waterfall Trail in Great Smoky Mountains
Looking for a short, family-friendly waterfall hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Head to the Chimney Tops waterfall, located right off the Chimney Tops trail for an exciting hike the kids will love.
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Chimney Tops is a popular spot for getting some epic views within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s named one of the best views in the park, with panoramic views and mountain range tops in the distance. But did you know there is more to this trail than just views?
We visited Great Smoky Mountains National Park and took the kids on this impulsive hike when we found out there was a waterfall. We were greatly surprised to find many smaller, cascading moments along the trail on our way to the final falls.
You can choose to hike all the way to the top for views, but if you want a great hike with kids in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you can also just make the trek to the waterfall and enjoy a shorter hike in under 2 miles roundtrip!
Here I’ll show you where to find the trailhead, what the trail looks like, what to bring, and why the kids will love it.
Table of Contents
Where to Find the Chimney Tops Trail
From Gatlinburg, head to Newfound Gap Road. This is the road that leads to the Sugarlands Visitor Center. You’ll pass the visitor center and continue south on Newfound Gap for 7 miles. If you get to the “loop-de-loo” (as we called it) where the road makes a complete 360, you’ve gone slightly too far.
There is a pull over area separate from the road with a decent amount of parking spaces.
You’ll need a parking tag to park and hike this trail. You can purchase one at any visitor center or online ahead of time. Make sure to print it out and bring it with you, as digital passes/proof are not accepted.
You could go with the “arrive early for a parking spot!” advice, and it wouldn’t be bad advice. However, we got there after lunch about 1:30 and there were a few spots readily available. I find that parking all over the park is very luck-based!
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited National Park in the US, with over 12 million visitors a year. That can make parking tricky to come by, especially in the busy season.
The busiest season is summer for the sunshine and fall for the changing colors. Many roads close during the winter months, but Newfound Gap Road remains open year-round, if the weather allows.
You can check for any road and trail closures ahead of time by checking the official national park page.
Tip: While the trailhead isn’t hard to get to (just follow the directions above), you can put it into your maps app before heading out. MAKE SURE to load your map before you go into the park, as there is NO service in most of the park.
Chimney Tops Trail Overview: What to Expect
Chimney Tops Trail info
Length: 3.6 miles roundtrip to the top, 1.7 miles roundtrip to the waterfall
Elevation Gain: 1,286 to the top, 450 foot gain to the waterfall
Difficulty: Hard to the top, Moderate to the waterfall
Chimney Tops Hike to the Waterfall
When we visited, we only went for the waterfall. Well, we did go past the waterfall up a pretty steep section of trail, but there were signs saying there was a temporary closure to the very top, so we turned around.
To get to the waterfall, simply follow the Chimney Tops trail from the parking lot. The great thing is you’ll actually have a few river crossings with bridges, and each will show you some awesome cascades and little waterfalls. It’s like a mini waterfall tour!
If you’re trying to see lots of waterfalls in GSMNP, this is a great trail to see many, albeit smaller, in just one hike. While the Rainbow Falls hike leads to falls 80 feet tall, Chimney Tops gives you lots of little fun cascades that are the just-right size for kids.
The trail starts pretty flat and gentle, but will quickly start to incline. There are lots of stairs in some sections that really help with the steep climbs.
The whole trail is well maintained, making it easy to navigate and walk. You’ll find stairs made from large, smooth rocks, man-made bridges to get you safely over rivers, and great trail surface. Beware that it is pretty steep for much of the trail.
If you choose to go to the very top, keep in mind that getting to the main waterfall (the 4th bridge) is about halfway. At this point you’ve only gained 450 feet, and you have 800 feet left to gain in the same amount of distance.
That’s not to discourage you, but to prepare you for what’s ahead.
We did go a bit beyond the waterfall, and it was so steep.
Hiking the Chimney Tops Trail with Kids
Chimney Tops trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is such a great trail to do with kids, especially if you end at the waterfall.
Yes, it’s steep, but it’s fun and scenic, we saw a little bit of wildlife around (mainly squirrels and chipmunks), and best of all… the river crossings have huge, smooth boulders below. My kids love to climb around.
While I won’t endorse climbing of river rocks because the safest thing to do is avoid it, many people took advantage of this natural playground. I will say that if you choose to check out the rock and river below, do so with caution, common sense, and of course don’t do it if conditions aren’t safe.
My kids absolutely love when there is water on a hike that they can dip their hands in. They also love to go rock hopping, despite my nerves about it.
Tips to Make Your Hike Easier:
- Bring great snacks to refuel or reward the kids
- Consider a backpack carrier for kids who are really young
- Take lots of breaks, like pausing for pictures near river crossings
- Always carry plenty of water (we love these high volume reusable bottles)
- Bring a hiking backpack to carry waters and snacks
- Wear good shoes. Sneakers work, but hiking or sturdy trail shoes would be great for the steep, rocky trails of Great Smoky Mountains!
- Wear Layers. We found the temperature went from cold to hot as the day went on.
Where to Stay Near Chimney Tops Trail
Luckily, Chimney Tops Trail is located in the main area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are many popular, incredible things to do around the Newfound Gap Road (like the Kuwohi observation tower), so you won’t have to go out of your way to find this great trail in GSMNP.
Also lucky, Gatlinburg is a great place to stay for easy access to the park. It’s just a few minutes drive to the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail area (where you’ll find the beautiful Baskins Creek falls and other waterfalls and historic areas), and right on the south side of town is the Newfound Gap entrance and Sugarlands Visitor Center.
Many people also stay in Pigeon Forge, which is just north of Gatlinburg. Pigeon Forge is great if you are looking for tons of attractions and you’ll find the combination of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg very similar to places like Branson, Missouri.
However, staying in Pigeon Forge is overall a little more expensive, and requires a bit more driving. It’s not a ton farther, but traffic is serious trying to get through these towns.
Since we were visiting for the park more than attractions, we opted for Gatlinburg, which is still busy, but less-so than Pigeon Forge.
We stayed at SureStay, which is located on the West Prong Little Pigeon River and just a couple blocks from the Newfound Gap entrance to the park. Our room was plenty spacious for the 6 of us, had a fridge and microwave, included breakfast, and the property has a seasonal outdoor pool.
Other Great Places to Stay in Gatlinburg
| Margaritaville | Sleep up to 6 | Indoor and Outdoor Pool (with a slide!) | Nice Fitness Center | Restaurants on site (Breakfast NOT included) |
| Bearskin Lodge | Sleep up to 4 (connecting rooms available) | Season Pool (and Lazy River) | Mountain Feel | Breakfast included |
| Historic Gatlinburg Inn | Sleep up to 4 | Seasonal Pool | Central Location | Highly-rated Breakfast included |
| Courtyard – Marriott | Sleep up to 6 | Indoor Pool | Cafe and Coffee Shop on site | Breakfast not included |
Why do my links go to hotels.com?
This is what I always use (for almost 10 years now) to book our hotels. I can earn rewards on bookings through any hotel. PLUS, the rewards combine with rewards on VRBO and Expedia (I use this for car rentals), so they add up fast!
Best Time to Hike Chimney Tops Trail
When looking for waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, spring is the best time to go. The rainfall in spring fills up the rivers to create heavy flows in the falls, making for beautiful and picturesque scenes.
Summer is a great time to hike this trail as well, as the water levels are typically still adequate and the weather is sunny.
We visited in fall. This means waterfalls in the park weren’t as full as they once were. However, the change of color makes up for it and makes it the most popular time to visit Great Smoky Mountains.
While I wouldn’t typically recommend winter for logistical reasons, if winter is when you can go, then you should with caution and the right hiking gear. Many roads are closed through the winter, but Newfound Gap remains open (weather dependent). This means you can still access places like the Chimney Tops waterfall and trail, and may even have a treat with a few frozen water features.
Quick FAQ: Chimney Tops Trail
How long does it take to hike Chimney Tops Trail in Great Smoky Mountains?
For the entire roundtrip up to Chimeny tops, plan on 2-3 hours. Times will vary based on hiking ability and pace. To just get to the waterfall at the 4th bridge, plan for about 1-1/2 hours.
Is Chimney Tops Trail good for kids?
Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend the trail to the top for kids as it gets pretty difficult. However, many families enjoy hiking just to the waterfall at Chimney Tops which is half the distance and not quite as steep.
Where should you park to hike the Chimney Tops Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
Parking for the trailhead to Chimney Tops trail is located right off Newfound Gap Road. There is a little parking area right off the road, about 7 miles from Sugarlands visitor center. The lot is a decent size, though not huge.
Wrap-Up: Why Chimney Tops Trail Is Worth the Climb
If your family is looking for lots of water oppurtunities, filled with river crossings where you stay dry, big boulders to relax near cascades, and little waterfalls along the trail, make sure to head to the Chimney Tops waterfall on the Chimney Tops Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
This was such a fun little hike for our family. The kids loved dipping their fingers in the water, hanging out on bridges above, and finding fresh air on this trail.
When you head to Chimney tops, be sure to plan ahead. Find your parking in the designated parking area off Newfound Gap Road, have your parking tag ready, pack your hiking bag with snacks and water, and be safe on the trail (and leave no trace!)
👉🏼 Book your stay in Gatlinburg and get this waterfall hike on your family vacation plan to the Great Smoky Mountains!
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