The Sinks, Laurel Falls, Grotto Falls, and A Place of a Thousand Drips at The Great Smoky Mountains National Park - NC & TN

Apr 18

“Grace is finding a waterfall when you were only looking for a stream.” - Vanessa Hunt

“Do not feel sad for your tears, as rocks never regret the waterfalls.” – Munia Khan

“I can see my rainbow calling me through the misty breeze of my waterfall." -Jimi Hendrix

“There is a hidden message in every waterfall. It says, if you are flexible, falling will not hurt you.” – Mehmet Murat Ildan

“Just go with the flow.” - Rhiannon Kelly

The Story -

Ginger, Alex, and I traveled to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) near Gatlinburg, TN for Alex’s spring break in hopes of hiking Mt. Leconte and Clingmans Dome, chasing some waterfalls, relaxing a little, and then visiting Dollywood, in that order. Yet like all great itineraries, the inevitable disruptions arise, this time it was the rainy weather, and we were forced to make a few changes to our plans. And like my good friend Rhiannon Kelly always says on our mission trips, “Just go with the flow, and trust God,” so that’s what we did.

Just Go With The Flow -

Due to the rainy weather, we literally decided to go with the flow and opted to start our trip with a Great Smoky Mountain National Park waterfall tour. And as most of you know, I prefer hikes with water, so I was pleased with our new plan to visit waterfalls first. Fortunately, the GSMNP has plenty of great waterfall options to choose from and we mapped a route to visit six of the most prominent ones. However, due to the large crowds, traffic congestion, and several other logistical issues, we were only able to visit four, keeping the theme of “just go with the flow,” relevant. The four we were able to visit, however, were spectactular!

Sinks Falls -

Most Great Smoky Mountain National Park waterfalls, big or small, need to be hiked in order to be seen. The Sinks, however, is one of the few exceptions as it is located just off Little River Road. It is not a large waterfall, yet it is very powerful and picturesque, making a few twists around some large boulders in the river creating a magnificent sight. The drive to The Sinks on Little River Road is an attraction in its own right, with many breathtaking views of the Pigeon River and dozens of worthy places to stop and enjoy the views of the rushing water. In the summertime, The Sinks is also an incredible swimming hole, with deep pools and several places to take a leap of faith into the water from high above! Caution signs decorate the path so be sure to head the warnings and proceed with caution if you do decide to take a dip.

Laurel Falls -

Laurel Falls is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is the most photographed attraction in the park, for good reason. Named for a mountain laurel, an evergreen shrub that blooms along the trail in May, the falls are absolutely beautiful, rising over eighty feet consisting of an upper and a lower section, divided by a walkway at the base of the upper falls. Both the upper and lower sections of the waterfall are easily accessible via a paved out-and-back three-mile trail. Note, however, that the paved trail is broken and uneven in spots (ask Alex) so caution is recommended. And because Laurel Falls are so popular, finding a parking spot can be a challenge so be prepared.

Grotto Falls -

Grotto Falls is located on the Trillium Gap Trail following an adventurous drive on the amazing Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. It is a spectacular waterfall, made even more thrilling as being the only one of the Great Smoky Mountains waterfalls that you can actually walk behind. It’s a three-mile moderate slightly uphill hike round-trip to the falls and back, yet well worth it. The ability to walk and stand behind the thundering water is an experience in itself. Just watch your head, rocks seem to jump out at you.

A Place of A Thousand Drips -

The last waterfall on our tour was A Place of A Thousand Drips, an awesome name for a wonderful waterfall to visit, especially after the rain, and we didn’t even have to leave our car. It is just down from Grotto Falls almost at the end of the one-way Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Despite its beauty, it can be easy to miss so be sure to be on the lookout on your left about a half mile before the motor trail ends.

Wrap It Up -

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park has over one hundred prominent waterfalls or cascades within the park boundaries. After only being able to reach four on our trip this year, I guess we will just have to come back a few more times 😂

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