Hiking to Spruce Flats Falls in Great Smoky Mountains
Looking for a fabulous waterfall hike in Great Smoky Mountains that is kid-friendly to hike, an incredible ending, and nice and short? You’ll love Spruce Flats Falls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This gorgeous waterfall is on the western side of the park up a hike around only 2 miles roundtrip.
Let’s Jet, Kids! uses affiliate links. As an Amazon (and other networks) Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. It is no extra cost to you. See full disclosure policy for more info.
We loved ending our Great Smoky Mountains adventure with Spruce Flats Falls. It’s incredibly beautiful. I mean, we did someone get engaged there, so that tells you something.
The great thing about Spruce Flats Falls? It’s not part of the main thoroughfare in the park, meaning it’s less crowded than other hikes in the park. While parking can be hard to come by at many hikes, Spruce Flats Falls has a decent parking area near the Tremont Visitor Center.
Read on for where to park, pictures of the great hike, and how to best enjoy the hike to Spruce Flats Falls.
Table of Contents
Spruce Flats Falls Trailhead and Parking
The Spruce Flats Falls hike can be found south of Townsend, a town west of Gatlinburg. Take the main road east through Townsend (Lamar Alexander Parkway) until it turns and enters the park. When this road ends, turn right onto Laurel Creek Road, then left on Tremont Rd. There will be a sign for a Visitor Center and Tremont Institute.
The trailhead to Spruce Flats Falls is right by the visitor center. Just inside the visitor center is a bathroom (a real one!), souvenirs, maps and books for sale, and a ranger to help with any questions. Outside is a vending machine for bottled drinks.
Once you’re ready, the trailhead can be found opposite the visitor center up a gravel road. This road had a block on it when we went. This is to stop vehicles from going up. Hikers can go past the sign and it will take you to the dorms at the Tremont Institute.
Once you see the Tremont Institute, stay to the left of the building and follow the wooden sign for “Falls Trail”. Rangers had also put a printed note on the sign reading “Spruce Flat Falls” that points the same direction. The trail in your app may be called “Buckeye Trail.”
You’ll be on your way up the trail to Spruce Flats Falls!
Spruce Flats Falls Trail Overview
Distance: 1.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 433 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: About 1 hour
As with many other hikes we did in Great Smoky Mountain, this one had a lot of uphill. It was totally doable for the kids, and being able to reach the waterfall in less than a mile made a huge difference (especially since we had previously taken them to Rainbow Falls, which required over 2.5 miles to get to the waterfall).
The trail begins on the gravel road (noted earlier). Then you’ll come to the Tremont Institute building. Stay left and follow the sign for the falls.
The Spruce Flats Falls trail in Great Smoky Mountains is a natural, dirt trail. It’s not super wide, but well maintained. There are plenty of tree roots and few spots where the natural rock landscape becomes the trail, so watch your step.
You’ll enjoy peeks of mountain views through the trees at some points, but mostly be in the shade of the tall forest surrounding you.
As you come to the falls, you’ll see huge boulder areas, perfect for taking a nice break and eating a few snacks with a great view!
The beautiful thing about Spruce Flats Falls is that the falls drop into a flowing creek, which then run through rock and have another tier of falls below. It’s stunning!
We spent a while here relaxing and taking myriad photos. It’s a great, relaxing spot to get pictures of the kids with a scenic backdrop.
The boulders are climbable to navigate closer to the falls, but it is discouraged due to safety. If you choose to, do so safely, watching for wet rock or moss.
We visited Great Smoky Mountains National Park in October, so we didn’t have the full volume of water rushing down the falls. But the surrounding color made up for it!
Hiking Spruce Flats Falls Trail with Kids
We had our 4 kids with us on our vacation to the Great Smoky Mountains. We did a lot of hiking. Some trails were longer and a little more intense, some were much easier.
I’d say Spruce Flats Falls was in the middle. It was difficult because of inclines, but overall not too hard. Plus, it was one of the shorter hikes we did in the park, making it feel like it was a piece of cake compared to the others.
The kids really liked this hike thanks to its short distance and big reward.
To make this hike a little easier, I recommend:
- 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 we came in and out of the shade.
Where to Stay Near Spruce Flats Falls in Great Smoky Mountains
We stayed in Gatlinburg for the majority of our trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. But on the last night, we transferred over to Townsend.
Townsend is a much quieter town, and a really quick drive into the park. It was a great location because the entrance to the park near Townsend is just a short drive away from Spruce Flats Falls and the road to Cades Cove.
Townsend is a great place to stay for convenience to the western side of the park. It cuts down a lot of driving.
Booking Sidenote
I won’t recommend where we stayed. It was cute and seemed great as an accommodation, but we had a major issue with the room not being what we booked (it couldn’t sleep all of us), and when we went to work it out with the manager, he could not have cared less. Not a great way to end our trip.
*I will also note this was the ONE time I have EVER used booking.com instead of my typical hotels.com, and it was also the last time. The reservation was really messed up and neither side was willing to help (Booking’s solution was the repeated suggestion to just put 3 people in each bed).
On the flip side, I always use hotels.com. When we had an issue (during covid), I got on the phone with hotels.com and they went above and beyond to fix our issue. It’s how we got to stay at Royal Haciendas which has been a family favorite! So I won’t be straying anymore!
Where to Stay in Townsend
However, there are a few places in Townsend that looked great and have great reviews from past customers.
Dancing Bear Lodge– Adorable, mountain-feel cabins that can sleep up to 6. Enjoy free breakfast and a small kitchen in some of the cabins to pack your lunch for your day out in the park. Guests loved how cozy and quiet the property was, and friendly the staff was.
Highland Manor Inn– This local hotel can sleep up to 4, but you can also request adjoining rooms if you need more space. Kids will love the seasonal outdoor pool and playground on site. Enjoy included breakfast each morning before you head out! Guest love the quiet, comfortable, clean room and friendly staff for this family-owned business!
Prefer to Stay in Gatlinburg?
Yes, it’s a little farther, but if you’re looking for more action and attractions, Gatlinburg is where to stay. Here are a few recommendations and why you’ll love them
| 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 |
FAQ for Spruce Flats Falls
How Long Does it Take to Hike Spruce Flats Falls Trail?
At an average pace, plan on about 1 hour to hike to Spruce Flats Falls. I recommend a little extra time so you can sit and enjoy the falls before heading back!
Is Spruce Flats Falls Trail Kid-Friendly?
Yes, Spruce Flats Falls Trail is kid friendly. You’ll encounter a bit of incline, but just take it slow and enjoy. The trail has some roots and rocks, but the end is very fun for kids! If your child is younger, consider a hiking carrier to carry them in.
Where do you park for Spruce Flats Falls?
You can find parking for Spruce Flats Falls at the visitor center at Tremont (Tremont Institute). All Trails names the trail “Buckeye,” but there are signs signifying which direction to go so you know you’re on the right path.
Wrap-Up: Why Spruce Flats Falls Is Worth the Hike
The beautiful Spruce Flats Falls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the easier, great waterfalls to get to. In less than 2 miles roundtrip you can see this incredible waterfall. Plus, since it’s not on the main park route, it tends to be slightly less crowded than places off Newfound Gap Rd.
The location is great, giving you a visitor center with a real bathroom, and a quiet but not isolated setting.
Next time you’re looking for a great waterfall hike at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, make sure to check out Spruce Flat Falls.
If you Love This Hike, try:
Baskins Creek Waterfall Hike (off the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail)
Chimney Tops Trail and Waterfall (Off Newfound Gap Road)
