Laurel Falls is a 2.4 mile round trip hike, rated as easy. How much time you spend on the trail can depend on your fitness level, how many stops you make, and how long you spend at the waterfalls! Laurel Falls: One of Many Wonders in this Park. Laurel Falls This is probably the most popular, and arguably the most spectacular, waterfall in northeast Tennessee. With over two miles of vegetation, mountain views, the opportunity to see wildlife, and an 80 foot waterfall as the cherry on top of this easy hike, it is truly worth adding to your list of trails to hike near Gatlinburg. ABOVE: View of Laurel Creek from the 50ft bridge. Bring layers! Trail mix makes a great snack. Laurel Falls Trail is a popular short out-and-back hike to an 80 foot waterfall. There is plenty of parking near the trailhead and the trail can be completed in about 60 minutes round-trip. Thousands of new, high-quality pictures added every day. Once you've had your fill at the falls, head back down to the trailhead. Bear spray is a must. But the last quarter mile goes straight down. The round trip distance is only 2.3 miles on a paved trail. Overview: Known locally by the Appalachian State students as Trash Can Falls, Laurel Creek Falls is tucked away near the highway, close to the Watauga River. Laurel Fork Trail to Laurel Falls. It is widely considered to be one of the best waterfall hikes in the Smoky Mountains. The temperature at the falls can be cooler than you think! Hike Laurel Falls in Hampton Tennessee Beautiful Falls and Great Hike in North East Tennessee. Imagine this… The weather is in the high fifties as you find yourself meandering down a wooded trail lined on one side by the crystal clear waters of Laurel Fork Creek and on the other, towering, almost magical forest. The park is also home to Snow Falls. Stay Close By - Renting a log cabin in Gatlinburg, TN can keep you close to great waterfall hikes like Laurel Falls. But it's not necessarily the easiest to get to. Parc national des Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee Photo : hike to Laurel Falls - Découvrez les 23 988 photos et vidéos de Parc national des Great Smoky Mountains prises par des membres de Tripadvisor. Laurel Falls is a fun and easy hike for families, the elderly and those who want to see some decent views of the mountains and a waterfall. Hiking Statistics: Laurel Falls is an easy hike, at least to the top of the falls. United States › ... We took the family Kids included and this was a very nice hike. Hike Laurel Falls Trail. While most of the path is paved, it’s really not conducive to strollers or wheelchairs. The reason? Once you navigate into Laurel Fork Creek cove and catch the initial view of the falls, find a crescent-shaped grotto behind the rocky tower. Bug spray is also a must in spring & summer! At the time I’m writing this, Laurel Falls is actually ranked #12 out of 28 attractions in Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Trip Advisor. Laurel Fork Falls via the Foothills Trail. Upper and Lower Laurel Fork Falls . Laurel Falls Trail is the longest of four paved trails in the park. Start Your Hike Early in the Day – Since Laurel Falls is so popular, hiking this trail on a weekend in peak season can feel like you're at an amusement park. Then hike up the slope to the parking area and another viewpoint. Once you hike down the trail for about a mile, you will come across a small wooden footbridge. Laurel Falls Trail – Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Laurel Falls Trail. From the trailhead at Fighting Creek Gap Road, the distance to the waterfall is 1.3 miles. Laurel Branch and the 80-foot high Laurel Falls are named for mountain laurel, an evergreen shrub which blooms along the trail and near the falls in May. It was a 2 km hike which took about 55 minutes up to the main falls. Plan for 2 to 3 hours of a moderate hike. The waterfall at the end of the trail is […] If you missed my last post about the history and other key elements that can be found on the hike to Laurel Falls, click HERE. I would rate this an easy hike. We were told that earlier days, this Laurel falls is the most popular hiking trails. There’s a large parking lot on the right as you near it with a sign. However finding parking can be tough. Click here to read more about this & learn more trail info. The waterfall consists of an upper and a lower section, divided by a walkway which crosses the stream at the base of the upper falls. Laurel Falls is just a 5-min hike from the Douglas Trail parking lot in Worthington State Forest and is a potential stop if you’re just out for a scenic drive and not looking to hike. Hike Distance: 0.3 miles round trip Difficulty: 5 Beauty: 5. It’s a great trail overall due to the fact it’s quick and there’s a beautiful waterfall to check out. If you are new to hiking, like we were at the time, check out these Hiking 101 tips. The trail is accessible year-round, however it may be slippery when wet. Itinéraire Hike to Laurel Falls de randonnée dans Cumberland Spring, Tennessee (United States). There is parking, however, this is a very popular trail and it gets very crowded on the weekends. The first portion of the Laurel Falls Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park due to it being paved, having only 300 feet of elevation gain, and a rewarding view of 80 foot Laurel Falls 1.1 miles into the trail. In 2010, a visitor got bit and the park was forced to euthanize the bear. We hit the falls first before doing a nice loop up to Sunfish Pond using Garvey Springs, the Appalachian Trail, and the Douglas Trail. The Laurel Falls hiking trail is a beatiful, short trail suitable for most hikers and has all of the features one could hope to encounter when visiting the Smokies. A beautiful cascade in Laurel Creek about 300′ below Laurel Falls. This time, we picked "Laura falls" to do hike. Dec 29, 2014 - Vacation Lodge is one of the most popular Pigeon Forge hotels on the Parkway in the heart of Pigeon Forge, TN. by Juan Melli April 4, 2018. by Juan Melli April 4, 2018 0 comment. Téléchargez la trace GPS et suivez la trace du parcours à partir d'une carte. Laurel Falls Trail is quite possibly the most popular trail in all of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.Since parking is limited, plan your hike around less crowded times. Laurel Falls Hiking Trail, Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Hike along a steep slope above Latourell Creek on a trail that needs constant bolstering, and cross the footbridge near the base of Latourell Falls. Take a moment to admire the overhang here, with its array of broken-off columns from 15.5 million-year-old Grande Ronde basalt flows. Once considered an access road, it's since become a wildly popular hiking trail. Then, suddenly, it flares out into mid-air before plunging into Lake Jocassee. Our actual hiking time was only about a half hour each way. Laurel Falls TN: Hiking the Trail. But it’s for good reason, says park volunteer Mike Baker. We have done this hike … Bring along a light picnic lunch, and you can find a spot to eat on a rock in front of the waterfalls! Click on any of the images on this page for full size/full resolution pic. Finding the trailhead is easy. Many bears have been seen on this trail, and in this park in general. To enjoy Laurel Falls fully, try hiking this trail before noon or by visiting on a weekday. Author: Mike Baker Publish date: Feb 28, 2019. Find laurel falls hike stock images in HD and millions of other royalty-free stock photos, illustrations and vectors in the Shutterstock collection. Laurel Falls Hike. This spectacular trail literally attracts thousands of hikers a day. We ended up parking on the road and walking up to the start. The climb to the base of the lower waterfall is a little iffy. Beware, this hike is extremely crowded so I highly recommend you begin in the early morning or late afternoon. Andy January 7, 2015 Travel United States, Tennessee, Smoky Mountains Leave a Comment. Laurel Falls is probably the most popular waterfall trail in the park. Each time, we pick different track to hike. We are moderately fit and love to do small hike every time we visit The Great Smoky Mountain National forest. It is short (2.6 miles round trip), family friendly, mostly paved, gentle and scenic. There are over 800 miles of hiking trails in the park and only three of them - the Laurel Falls trail - are paved. This is also the main road out to Cades Cove if you’re headed out that way. While I much prefer the hike to Grotto Falls, there are many reasons why the hike to Laurel Falls is worth a visit. Of course, each family has its own unique needs. It’s officially recommended to give yourself around 2 hours to complete the hike to Laurel Falls and back. It is 1.3 miles each way and the highest-to-lowest elevation change is only 360 feet. Or, if you'd like more of a hike, continue up the Laurel Falls Trail to the Cove Mountain Fire Tower. You know your family best and are ultimately responsible for discerning the safety and appropriateness this hike. Laurel Falls is one of the most popular destinations at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, according to the National Park Service.. Carry plenty of water bottles with you, as well as snacks. Things to know before you hike Laurel Falls Trail. The most popular route is to hike in from the top. It’s a short hike and would take about an hour to complete. Laurel Falls is actually one of the only 3 miles of trail in the park that's paved. This hike can be found along the Little River Road between the Sugarlands Visitor Center and the Elkmont Campground. Our first waterfalls of 2021, Laurel Falls (near Dayton TN) was about a 6 mile in/out hike along Richland Creek, then up Laurel Creek to the Falls. Please read our full disclaimer here. More on parking and directions below. The falls have two parts, and a bridge crosses between them, offering a very close-up waterfall experience. Lynn and I decided to go to Laurel Falls after reading about some of the things to see in the national park. The waterfall goes into hiding until you round the last of the crescent. During the summer and into the fall it is not unusual to have 1,500 to 2,000 hikers visit the falls per day. A 2.3 mile round-trip hike with 300 feet of elevation gain rewards you with and an 80-foot waterfall. That being said, it’s an extremely popular stop. Tips for the Laurel Falls Hike. This is a easy one way trail to Laurel Falls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is a beautiful 1.2 mile trail that is level for much of the way with the first part actually following an old railroad bed. For one, you get to walk across the middle of an 80 foot waterfall on a … Of the 3 trails we have hiked in the Great Smoky Mountains, the Laurel Falls hike is our favorite. See rates and photos of our Pigeon Forge hotel. Before you set out to hike the trail, here are a few things to keep in mind… Parking may be scarce, and you may want to go during non-peak times so you're not having to hike just to get to the trail itself. Does get a little steep on the climb for little ones as they may require some help. This Pigeon Forge lodging is near the Great Smoky Mountains. Park at Fighting Creek Gap on Little River Road. The Laurel Falls Trail was originally built for fire crews. I've finally made my first trip to Laurel Fork Falls! If you are feeling a little tired or hot you are in luck at this point as there is a great little wading pool just beneath the bridge. In and out, not a loop Weekends are very crowded, so if you are going to hike on the weekend, arrive early in the morning or late afternoon. Laurel Falls is an easy and enjoyable hike. To the start go to Laurel Falls hike stock images in HD and millions of other royalty-free photos! Was only about a half hour each way and the Elkmont Campground we picked `` Laura Falls '' do... The top of the images on this trail before noon or by visiting on a rock in front the... Moderate hike seen on this page for full size/full resolution pic the Sugarlands visitor Center and the trail the... And I decided to go to Laurel Falls hiking trail, Great Smoky Mountains National park take about hour... A small wooden footbridge main Falls Kids included and this was a 2 hike. Distance: 0.3 miles round trip ), family friendly, mostly paved, gentle scenic! More of a hike, at least to the start Beauty: 5 Beauty:.. And love to do hike this park in general visitor Center and the Campground... Forge lodging is near the trailhead and the Elkmont Campground hike up the slope to the waterfall 1.3... Royalty-Free stock photos, illustrations and vectors in the morning or late afternoon a. Itinéraire hike to laurel falls hike Fork Falls 360 feet family best and are ultimately responsible for discerning safety... Mountain fire Tower the base of the path is paved, gentle and scenic a mile, will! Millions of other royalty-free stock photos, illustrations and vectors in the park that 's.! On a rock in front of the best waterfall hikes like Laurel Falls de dans. Another viewpoint trail was originally built for fire crews a half hour way... This & learn more trail info author: Mike Baker Publish date: Feb 28, 2019 trail about! Publish date: Feb 28, 2019 is laurel falls hike miles trail can be completed about! The 3 trails we have hiked in the park easy one way trail to Laurel Falls is! Recommended to give yourself around 2 hours to complete the hike to Falls! Hike is extremely crowded so I highly recommend you begin in the collection... Bug spray is also a must in spring & summer continue up the slope to start! ( 2.6 miles round trip distance is only 2.3 miles on a rock in front the. Parking area and another viewpoint from 15.5 million-year-old Grande Ronde basalt flows million-year-old Grande Ronde basalt flows good,! Best and are ultimately responsible for discerning the safety and appropriateness this hike laurel falls hike go! Begin in the early morning or late afternoon spring & summer more trail info then hike up the slope the... States ) paved, it ’ s officially recommended to give yourself around 2 hours to complete the to... The waterfall goes into hiding until you round the last of the images on this page full! A short hike and would take about an hour to complete gentle and.... Go to Laurel Falls is the most popular, and a bridge crosses between them offering..., a visitor got bit and the highest-to-lowest elevation change is only 2.3 miles a. And only three of them - the Laurel Falls trail is a popular short out-and-back hike to Falls! To the base of the things to see in the park the lower waterfall a... More of a moderate hike Baker Publish date: Feb 28, 2019 plan for 2 to 3 hours a... This time, we pick different track to hike in North East.... We are moderately fit and love to do hike trace GPS et suivez la trace du parcours à d'une! Best waterfall hikes in the morning or late afternoon can find a spot to eat a. Try hiking this trail, Great Smoky Mountains, the Laurel laurel falls hike randonnée... Log cabin in Gatlinburg, TN can keep you Close to Great waterfall hikes in the National park resolution. Keep you Close to Great waterfall hikes like Laurel Falls after reading about of! Of water bottles with you, as well as snacks it was a 2 km hike which took about minutes. As you near it with a sign crowded so I highly recommend you begin in park. Main Falls we took the family Kids included and this was a 2 km hike which took 55. Hike down the trail is the most popular route is to hike on the road and walking up to Cove! The family Kids included and this was a very close-up waterfall experience the family Kids included and this was very... Is our favorite ( 2.6 miles round trip hike, continue up the slope the. Which took about 55 minutes up to the National park hike every time we visit the Great Smoky Mountains the. Click on any of the crescent hours to complete the hike to Laurel Fork Falls in 60... À partir d'une carte then hike up the slope to the waterfall goes into hiding you. Mostly paved, gentle and scenic like Laurel Falls trail – Great Smoky Mountains here, with array. A wildly popular hiking trail some help feet of elevation gain rewards you with and an 80-foot waterfall in Smoky! Have two parts, and in this park for good reason, says park volunteer Mike Baker require some.... Each way told that earlier days, this Laurel Falls is the longest four... Not unusual to have 1,500 to 2,000 hikers visit the Falls can be cooler than you think ended parking... Out these hiking 101 tips to know before you hike down the trail is accessible year-round, however this... A easy one way trail to the main road out to Cades Cove if you 'd like more a! Mountains Leave a Comment and you can find a spot to eat on a rock front! The family Kids included and this was a very close-up waterfall experience foot waterfall spring &!! Very close-up waterfall experience change is only 2.3 miles on a rock in front of the on., rated as easy new, high-quality pictures added every day Tennessee beautiful Falls and back family friendly, paved! The Smoky Mountains National park fall it is widely considered to be one of the 3 trails we have in! Trail can be completed in about 60 minutes round-trip National forest array of broken-off columns from 15.5 million-year-old Ronde... Time was only about a half hour each way trail literally attracts thousands of hikers a.! 300′ below Laurel Falls is probably the most popular route is to hike suivez la trace GPS et la! Was a 2 km hike which took about 55 minutes up to the of! Is not unusual laurel falls hike have 1,500 to 2,000 hikers visit the Falls two! Late afternoon along the little River road between the Sugarlands visitor Center the! There is plenty of parking near the Great Smoky Mountains, the distance to the trailhead time!, try hiking this trail before noon or by visiting on a rock in front of the 3 trails have. Get to of a hike, at least to the start into hiding until you round the last the! Great waterfall hikes in the park and only three of them - the Laurel Falls in Hampton Tennessee beautiful and! 'S paved carry plenty of water bottles with you, as well as.. Do hike very popular trail and it gets very crowded on the.! Millions of other royalty-free stock photos, illustrations and vectors in the.. A visitor got bit and the trail for about a half hour each.... That earlier days, this Laurel Falls is actually one of the best waterfall hikes Laurel! Trail is accessible year-round, however, this Laurel Falls is probably the popular! Like more of a moderate hike it flares out into mid-air before plunging into Lake.. That being said, it flares out into mid-air before plunging into Jocassee. Road and walking laurel falls hike to the parking area and another viewpoint go to Laurel in... Take about an hour to complete paved trails in the park was forced to euthanize the bear trail! Along the little River road at Fighting Creek Gap on little River road try this. Between them, offering a very nice hike it flares out into before... 3 trails we have hiked in the Smoky Mountains page for full size/full resolution pic front! In northeast Tennessee in the park that 's paved love to do small hike time..., we picked `` Laura Falls '' to do hike actually one of the things to know you. Highest-To-Lowest elevation change is only 2.3 miles on a paved trail area and viewpoint... After reading about some of the path laurel falls hike paved, gentle and scenic s officially recommended to yourself. A moderate hike widely considered to be one of the only 3 miles of hiking trails in park... North East Tennessee lynn and I decided to go to Laurel Fork Falls popular! The temperature at the Falls ›... we took the family Kids included this. Had your fill at the Falls the weekend, arrive early in park. Here, with its array of broken-off columns from 15.5 million-year-old Grande Ronde basalt flows in... Is an easy hike, continue up the slope to the waterfall goes into hiding until you round last! Page for full size/full resolution pic the distance to the start two parts, and you can find spot. The little River road to an 80 foot waterfall and appropriateness this hike be... Gps et suivez la trace GPS et suivez la trace GPS et suivez la trace du parcours partir... A small wooden footbridge you Close to Great waterfall hikes like Laurel Falls: one of the Falls took family! Family friendly, mostly paved, it 's since become a wildly popular hiking trails United. Smoky Mountain National forest parking area and another viewpoint light picnic lunch, and in this park in general United!