RT Grotto Falls Trail

Popular waterfall destination featuring a forested hiking trail, stream crossings, old-growth woodland, and the rare opportunity to walk behind a cascading waterfall.

General Information

Length:

2.6 miles round trip

Elevation Gain:

585 feet

Difficulty:

Easy

Hours:

Open year-round, 24 hours a day as part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Daylight hiking is recommended
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is typically closed during winter

Fees:

No trail admission fee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park parking tag required for vehicles parked longer than 15 minutes

Pet Policy:

Pets are not allowed on the trail.

Closest cities with hotels:

Gatlinburg, TN (6 mi)

Seasons:

Spring for wildflowers and strong water flow, Summer for cool mist and lush forests, Fall for colorful foliage, Winter for experienced hikers when conditions permit

Location:

Grotto Falls Trailhead, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN

Website:

nps.gov/places/grotto-falls.htm

How to Get There

From Gatlinburg, TN (6 mi): Take Historic Nature Trail Road to Cherokee Orchard Road, follow the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail to the Trillium Gap Trailhead parking area, and hike 1.3 miles on the Trillium Gap Trail to reach the waterfall.

Overview

The Grotto Falls trail leads visitors through a lush mountain forest filled with towering eastern hemlocks, rhododendron thickets, and tranquil streams before arriving at one of the most distinctive waterfalls in the Great Smoky Mountains. The 25-foot cascade drops over a rocky ledge into a cool, shaded cove, creating an environment rich with mosses, wildflowers, and salamanders. What makes this destination especially memorable is the path that passes directly behind the curtain of falling water, allowing hikers to experience the waterfall from a perspective found at very few locations in the region.

Following a section of the Trillium Gap Trail, the route offers a rewarding combination of natural beauty and accessibility. Along the way, hikers encounter stream crossings, old-growth forest, and seasonal displays of trillium, violets, and other native wildflowers. During summer, the cool mist surrounding the falls provides welcome relief from warm temperatures, while autumn transforms the surrounding hillsides into a mosaic of brilliant color. The unique setting and relatively short hike have made this waterfall one of the most photographed and beloved natural attractions in the Smokies.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article on the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and official National Park Service and regional tourism pages for Grotto Falls, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.