Top 10 Waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with Kids
Looking for the best waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with kids along for the trip? Anytime we go exploring with the family, we visit any waterfalls we can. We are a bunch of waterfall chasers willing to hike for a beautiful water view. Who doesn’t like the fresh sound of water hitting the ground below, mist splashing up, and a calm peaceful setting?
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We went to the Great Smoky Mountains and saw so many waterfalls. Plus, there were some we didn’t get to (or were closed) and we’d love to get to them on our next trip out.
The Great Smoky Mountains are home to over 100 waterfalls, so it can be hard planning out which ones to see. The park gets arouns 80″ of rain each year (and even up to 8 feet in higher areas!), so don’t skip these impressive waterfalls. I’ll help you find the locations, difficulty, and kid-friendliness of each one below.
If you’re wondering which waterfall trails are most kid-friendly, this post will share the experience of getting to each. Plus I’ll share some great pictures to whet your appetite so you can plan out which ones you’d like to visit.
From the popular Laurel Falls to the lesser-known Baskins Creek, here are all my top recommendations of can’t-miss kid-friendly waterfall trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Table of Contents
Map of the Best Smoky Mountains Waterfalls
10 Best Easy Waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park For Kids
Here is my top 10 list of best waterfall trails in the Great Smoky Mountains for families! Note that since we visited in fall, all the pictures of waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park will show when the water level is lower than if you visited in spring or summer.
1. Laurel Falls
- 📍 Location: 4 miles from Gatlinburg off Little River Rd
- 🥾 Hike: 2.6 miles round trip (paved, moderate)
- 👨👩👧👦 Kid-Friendly Waterfall hike in Great Smoky Mountains
Laurel Falls is the most popular waterfall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, welcoming over 300,000 visitors each year. It’s a beautiful, 2-tiered, 80-foot waterfall that’s easier to get to, thanks to the paved trail.
You can find the trailhead about 3 miles west of the Sugarlands visitor center. Don’t forget your parking tag, which you’ll need at any place in the park that you plan to park for longer than 15 minutes.
The Laurel Falls trail has taken a beating since first constructed in the 1960’s, but is undergoing a revamp during 2025 and part of 2026. Because of this, the trail is *currently closed* and estimated to re-open during the summer of 2026.
2. Abrams Falls
- 📍 Location: Cades Cove area, south of Townsend
- 🥾 Hike: 5 miles round trip (moderate)
- 👨👩👧👦 Older kids and experienced little hikers
Abrams Falls Trail can be accessed from the Cades Cove Loop. On the far side, roughly halfway around the loop, there will be signs and a dirt road leading to the Abrams Falls Trailhead.
Abrams Falls may be a little shorter at 25 feet, but it’s one of the parks most powerful waterfalls. Enjoy a 5 mile walk through a pine forest to access these falls, which carry a high volume output.
The downside? Cade’s Cove loop is one way, so you’ll be forced to sit through any traffic to access the falls. The upside is that Cade’s Cove loop is a great place to spot wildlife.
Since this trail is a little longer, I highly suggest using a child carrier if you have really young ones with you!
We didn’t have time to do this trail since we ended up in Cades Cove on our last day, but when you see a picture of it, you’ll know why I’ve included it anyway!
3. Grotto Falls
- 📍 Location: Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail just outside Gatlinburg. Use the Trillium Gap Trailhead
- 🥾 Hike: 2.6 miles round trip (moderate)
- 👨👩👧👦 Yes — fun for kids since you can walk behind the waterfall!
We tried twice to do this waterfall trail, but unfortunately there is not ample parking for the many people who also want to see this waterfall. The trailhead is located on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, which is a one-way traffic loop, so if there’s no parking, you have to just keep driving.
Grotto Falls is a popular waterfall hike on this loop and at only 2.6 miles, it’s a great waterfall to see with the whole family. Kids will especially enjoy being able to go behind the 25-foot falls!
4. Rainbow Falls
- 📍 Location: Off Cherokee Orchard Road near Gatlinburg (on the way to Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail)
- 🥾 Hike: 5.4 miles round trip (moderate/strenuous)
- 👨👩👧👦 Older or experienced kids
The water flow is pretty light since we visited in fall
While Laurel Falls is an 80-foot waterfall, it does so in 2 drops.
I included Rainbow Falls on the best kid-friendly waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park because I think it’s really worth the hike. It’s not for toddlers (unless you have a carrier), but for kids who are more experienced hikers or kids who are older.
Rainbow Falls is special because it’s the tallest single drop waterfall in the park at 80-feet. It is named so due to the rainbow effect that appears in just-right lighting in the mist at the bottom of the falls.
We were grateful to get parking and complete this hike. It is an uphill battle, but doable with experienced hiking kids and lots of breaks and snacks.
Read more about Rainbow Falls and what to expect on the trail.
5. Spruce Flats Falls
- 📍 Location: Near Tremont Institute, south of Townsend
- 🥾 Hike: 1.8 miles round trip (moderate)
- 👨👩👧👦 Yes, kid-friendly since it’s pretty short
We loved Spruce Flats Falls and even got to see someone get engaged up there. That’s how beautiful it is!
Spruce Flats Falls can be accessed from parking at the visitor center at Tremont (there is a sign to turn for the visitor center and Tremont Institute off Tremont Road). Then look for the gravel road opposite the visitor center. This will lead you to the institute, and to the trail for Spruce Flats Falls.
The trail is an uphill climb, but it’s not terribly long which makes it great for families.
6. Juney Whank, Indian Creek, and Toms Branch Falls
- 📍 Location: Deep Creek area, near Bryson City, NC
- 🥾 Hike: 2.4 miles loop (easy)
- 👨👩👧👦 Yes, kid-friendly!
Get 3 waterfalls with one stop on this family-friendly waterfall loop in North Carolina. Access the trailhead by parking past the Deep Creek campground at the Deep Creek Trailhead.
Juney Whank Falls are admired from a footbridge across the river below after just about 1/4 mile of hiking.
Indian Creek Falls is a gentler slope for the water, making it flow down beautifully from about 25 feet above.
Tom Branch falls is impressive at around 70 feet tall. The water falls down many tiers, giving it a beautiful landscape.
We did not end up doing this waterfall loop in Great Smoky Mountains, so I’ll send you here for directions on completing the loop on the trail.
7. Baskins Creek Falls
- 📍 Location: Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
- 🥾 Hike: 3.2 miles round trip on Baskins Creek Trail
- 👨👩👧👦 Older kids since there’s a bit of uphill
I mention this trail is for older kids, but our smaller 8-year old did this trail fine, so experience matters!
Baskins Creek was one of our favorite waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We actually ended up doing it as a backup. Since we couldn’t get parking for Grotto Falls, we moved on to Baskins Creek. And we were not disappointed!
Kids will love the little graveyard towards the beginning of the trail and being able to walk next to a creek for a good portion of the trail. The 40-foot waterfall can easily be admired on one of the many large boulders in front.
If you use All Trails, it lists the trail as Graveyard Ridge, which is not correct. Here you’ll find how to accurately find this trail and more info (and pics!)
8. The Sinks
- 📍 Location: Between Sugarlands Visitor Center and Townsend off Little River Gorge Road
- 🥾 Hike: None!
- 👨👩👧👦 Kid-friendly with no hike required
The Sinks is a great waterfall that can be viewed with a quick pullover off the road. Not only is it a great reward for the kids if they’ve already done a lot of hiking, but it’s ver accessible for anyone else looking for a waterfall without a hike.
There isn’t a sign showing you where to pull off, so watch your dashboard. Right around 12 miles west the Sugarlands visitor center, you’ll see a larger pull off area with parking. You’ll have to actually turn, not just pull over, to access the parking. This is for The Sinks.
Bonus: About a mile down the road, you’ll be able to see Meigs Waterfall. This is another great waterfall that doesn’t require a hike!
9. Cataract Falls
- 📍 Location: Sugarlands Visitor Center (Gatlinburg area)
- 🥾 Hike: 1 mile round trip
- 👨👩👧👦 Kid-friendly
The flow was pretty light when we visited
This is the most popular, kid-friendly trail, and one of the easy waterfall hikes in Great Smoky Mountains. You can access the trail from the Sugarlands Visitor Center. Find a parking spot, then head toward the bathrooms. Continue through to the other side and you’ll find the trailhead.
This is a very flat, easy walk to Cataract Falls. The falls are easy to view, though since it’s so popular, be prepared to wait your turn for a quick photo.
This is a GREAT trail for even the littlest hikers. They should be able to walk most or all of it, and if you have to carry them, there’s no uphill to trudge through.
10. Lynn Camp Prong Cascades
- 📍 Location: Tremont Area, end of Tremont Road on Middle Prong Trail
- 🥾 Hike: 1.2 miles round trip (you can go farther if you want though)
- 👨👩👧👦 Kid-friendly with wide trail
One of our days visiting Great Smoky Mountains, we decided to drive all the way to the end of Tremont Road. We knew there’d be a nice, easy trail for the kids to enjoy. We didn’t realize there would be a great, though small, waterfall along the trail.
Later we found out it was the Lynn Camp Prong Cascades. The great thing was this was so easy to get to. The trail is wide and flat and has a gentle uphill. There were plenty of families on this trail.
You’ll follow along the Lynn Camp Prong (the river) and have many opportunities to check out the water in many areas where gentle cascades flow. We visited in October, and even then there was plenty of water flowing in this little river area.
This trail was a huge reward and relief after having the kids tackle bigger hikes in the previous days we visited.
*Note: You’ll drive to the end of Tremont Road until it dead ends into a parking area. Park, walk across the bridge, then take the left fork up the trail.
Other Easy Waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains
Really no matter where you go, if you end up hiking along one of the 2,000 miles of creek and rivers, you’re sure to find at least some little cascades. We hiked the Chimney Tops trail and even saw some larger cascades there.
After we finished hiking Baskins Creek, we walked down to the creek just a short ways away and enjoyed sitting by the cascades of the Roaring Fork river.
The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail has a roadside spot for the Place of A Thousand Drips which are tiny but many little waterfalls coming down the side of the mountain.
You’ll find all sorts of easy waterfalls to get to in Great Smoky Mountains if you just keep your eyes peeled. It’s beautiful everywhere you go!
Best Time to Visit Smoky Mountains Waterfalls
- Spring: the best time for FULL waterfalls, wildflowers, and photography
- Summer: Busy season, but great for tubing rivers and full waterfalls
- Fall: Beautiful foliage backdrop, though waterfalls won’t be as full
- Winter: Ice formations and fewer crowds, but many closed areas due to weather
Where to Stay Near the Waterfalls of Great Smoky Mountains
I highly suggest staying in Gatlinburg when you visit GSMNP. It’s a great central location whether you are heading to the east side or west side. It’s right at the start of Newfound Gap Road, a main thoroughfare through the park that leads to many great stops and down to Cherokee.
Gatlinburg also has tons of attractions, places to eat, and plenty of lodging.
We stayed at SureStay, located on the very edge of Gatlinburg and just a couple minutes from the park’s entrance. It was also just 2 blocks from the main street through Gatlinburg, making it easy to walk anywhere.
But we especially liked how spacious the room was for the 6 of us to stay in and the included breakfast.
Here are a few other great options for 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 |
FAQ of Waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains with Kids
How Many Waterfalls are in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
There are over 100 waterfalls and cascades within Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
Which Waterfalls are Easiest to Access?
The easiest waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park are The Sinks and Meigs Falls which do not require a hike. Cataract Falls is just a mile and flat, making it a great waterfall for families to get to.
Wrap Up: Best Waterfalls for Kids in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Whether you are visiting Great Smoky Mountains with younger kids or older kids, there is a perfect waterfall hike for every family. From roadside falls like The Sinks to waterfalls like Rainbow Falls that require a little more effort and everything in between, you won’t be disappointed no matter what you choose.
Start your vacation in Great Smoky Mountains with your bucket-list waterfall, and end your visit on something gentle and easy (like the Lynn Prong falls) to reward your kids for all their hard work.
There are so many waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park for kids to access that you don’t have to make sacrifices. Choose the just-right hike and enjoy the lush, wet, green (or orange) foliage that this park offers.
