Hiking

Looking for a beginner waterfall hike for your family in the Great Smoky Mountains? Cataract Falls is a perfect hike to introduce your kids to the wonders of the outdoors!

Read on for more tips for your first visit to Cataract Falls in the Smoky Mountains!

*This post may contain affiliate links which help support this site, but won’t cost you anything extra. Read our full disclaimer.

Hiking in the Smoky Mountains

As with any National Park, before you head out to explore, it never hurts to have on-hand some reliable and trustworthy resources for easy reference.

Here are a few of our favorite pocket guides about hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains:

Hiking Trails of the Smokies

Day Hikes of the Smokies

Waterfalls of the Smokies

For more history and information about the Smokies, be sure to check out more Great Smoky Mountains Books and Guides here!

Cataract Falls Trail Information

• Round Trip Length: 1 mile
• Trail Location: Sugarlands Visitor Center (near Gatlinburg, TN)
• Directions: Fighting Creek Nature Trailhead
• Trail Features: Waterfall
• Round Trip Hours: 1 – 2 hours
• Difficulty: Easy

The Sugarlands Visitor Center offers plenty to see and do for first time visitor to the Great Smoky Mountains! From chatting with a Park Ranger, to viewing a short video and touring the museum area, be sure to wrap up your visit at the Sugarlands with a short hike to see Cataract Falls!

This is an easy hike to the beautiful 25 foot waterfall that the whole family will enjoy. The path to Cataract Falls is on the Fighting Creek Nature trail that also offers plenty of opportunities to learn more about the native plants in the area.

How Do I Get to Cataract Falls in the Smoky Mountains?

No matter where you are coming from, you should be able to type into your GPS “Sugarlands Visitor Center” which is located at the very end of the Gatlinburg Parkway. The actual address is: 1420 Fighting Creek Gap Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738.

Once you are there, you will make your way to the main visitor center building. When facing the Sugarland’s Visitor Center, the trail actually starts on the left of the building near the restrooms.

Explore Sugarlands Visitor’s Center

If time allows, be sure to hop inside the Visitor’s Center and check out all that it has to offer. From a short 20 minute video, to the museum area and gift shop, you can easily spend an hour inside just browsing and absorbing all there is to learn about the Great Smoky Mountains! (Just be sure to check the hours they are open before you head that way!)

Check out the National Parks Passport Book & Junior Ranger Program!

It’s also a great place to check out the National Parks Passport books or the Junior Ranger Program! Be sure to get your passport cancellation or stamp while you are there! 

Hiking To Cataract Falls in the Smoky Mountains

Locating the Fighting Creek Trailhead

After you find the restrooms to the left of the building, you will follow the paved trail down the hill to find the beginning of the Fighting Creek Trailhead sign.

Once you get to the bottom of the small hill, you will see the sign directing you to the LEFT for the “Fighting Creek Nature Trail” and “Cataract Falls.” Don’t forget to take your obligatory trail sign picture to document your hike!

Take a few minutes to check out the other sign there that tells a little more about the Fighting Creek Nature Trail and the community that once resided there. It also shares some “know before you go” tips that are always good to review.

There are some Nature Trail Guides available for purchase for 50 cents if you have time and want to experience more of the nature trail!

On the Trail

Even if you don’t purchase the Nature Trail Guide, there are tons of things that you can learn along the way. There are plenty of little signs that tell you about some of the plants and trees that you will find in this area and also how they were often used by the residing community of the past. 

Root beer anyone?

There are also some unique trees you will find. We found some “twin” trees along the trail as well. (I don’t know if that’s a real term or not…but it also happened to be National Twin Day…so it seemed fitting!)

Something happened at some point in the growing process, the trees split and one became two! The base of the tree is very interesting and we saw several of these along the trail.

We tried to get a picture of our twins with the twin tree…but they didn’t want to risk getting poison ivy. Ha!

Moving on along, you will come across a cute little bridge area that crosses over a creek.

A little ways on down the trail, you will come to a foot bridge to cross over.

Right before you cross over the bridge, there is a fun tree that is hollow at the bottom. 

Our kids have always thought it was fun to climb inside!

After you cross the bridge, there will be a sign that directs you to the RIGHT for Cataract Falls.

The next part of the trail is really pretty. This part reminds me of some of the scenes in Star Wars where the Ewoks live. (Matt says its called Endor…haha!)

Next you will go under a bridge. (Watch out for the troll that lives under there…just kidding, don’t tell your kids that. We want them to LOVE hiking!)

You then head up the hill and take a RIGHT at the top of the trail. There are more signs directing you that way. You are now just minutes away from Cataract Falls.

At Cataract Falls

Once you arrive at Cataract Falls, depending on the day, there may be quite a few people. 

We went on a hot summer weekend day and there were quite a few people there. In fact, if we had wanted a family picture in front of Cataract Falls, we would have had to wait in line. It takes a few minutes to walk across the rocks to get to the bottom of the falls, so just be patient if you want a picture.

Or just go on a weekday or a non-peak time during the winter when it’s not as busy! We took the kids several years ago on a winter day and we literally had the place to ourselves. 

Of course the vegetation won’t be as green around the waterfall, but it’s still pretty!

There are also warning signs posted about staying on the trail in certain areas. Be sure to pay close attention to those. I apparently totally missed them and I was in an area I shouldn’t have been and Matt called me out. Oops! 

On the Way Back

Once you have taken in plenty of time at Cataract Falls, it’s time to head back the way you came. Under the bridge and through the woods. (To Grandmother’s House we go?!? Or just the Sugarlands’ Parking Lot, I guess?)

Head back to the visitor’s center, hit the restrooms and start planning your next family adventure in the Great Smoky Mountains!

A Few Things to Consider When Visiting Cataract Falls in the Smoky Mountains

• The Sugarlands Visitor Center can become rather congested during peak times. Visit earlier in the day or try to go on a weekday if your schedule allows!
• Take time to enjoy the nature walk along the way and read about more of the native plants from the region.
• Allow time to explore the Visitor’s Center and let the younger ones in your group do the Junior Ranger Program!

Final Thoughts

Cataract Falls is a simple family-friendly hike for all ages. It’s a quick ¾ mile hike that can easily be done in a short amount of time. While it can be a busy trail during peak times, it is still worth the short trek from the Sugarlands Visitor Center if you want to see a waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains!

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So have you been to Cataract Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains before? What are your favorite family-friendly hikes in the Smokies? Be sure to leave a comment below!

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More Related Articles:

• Great Smoky Mountains Books and Guides
• Best Scenic Drives in the Smoky Mountains
• John Oliver Cabin in Cades Cove
• Elkmont Campground Smoky Mountains
• Hike Metcalf Bottoms Trail to Little Greenbrier School
• Laurel Falls Trail – Hike to Laurel Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains
• Spruce Flats Falls Hike – Great Smoky Mountains
• Deep Creek Waterfalls Hike in the Smokies
• Look Rock Tower Hike in the Great Smoky Mountains
• Tips for Visiting Clingmans Dome in the Fall
• The Foothills Parkway Visiting the Missing Link

Looking for some waterfall adventures in the Great Smoky Mountains? How about ONE short hike that takes you to THREE different waterfalls? The Deep Creek area offers some of the most beautiful waterfalls within a short distance that the whole family will enjoy!

Read on to learn more about our experience in the Deep Creek area, that may possibly be one of our new favorite waterfall adventures in the Great Smoky Mountains!

*This post may contain affiliate links which help support this site, but won’t cost you anything extra. Read our full disclaimer.

Hiking in the Smoky Mountains

As with any National Park, before you head out to explore, it never hurts to have on-hand some reliable and trustworthy resources for easy reference.

Here are a few of our favorite pocket guides that we recommend for hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains:

Hiking Trails of the Smokies

Day Hikes of the Smokies

Waterfalls of the Smokies

For more history and information about the Smokies, be sure to check out more Great Smoky Mountains Books and Guides here!

Deep Creek Waterfalls Hike – Trail Information

• Round Trip Length: 2.2 miles
• Trail Location: Deep Creek Campground and Picnic Area (near Bryson City, NC)
• Directions: Deep Creek Trail Trailhead
• Trail Features: Waterfalls
• Round Trip Hours: 1 – 2 hours
• Difficulty: Easy

The Deep Creek Waterfall Hike includes three beautiful waterfalls within a short walking distance: Tom Branch Falls, Indian Creek Falls and Juney Whank Falls.

Each waterfall is completely unique and captivating in their own ways! This waterfall hike will not disappoint!

How Do I Get To Deep Creek?

No matter where you are traveling from, you can put into your GPS “Deep Creek Trail Trailhead” and it should pull up the exact location on W Deep Creek Rd, Bryson City, NC 28713.

For us, we were coming from the Gatlinburg area. From the Sugarlands Visitor Center in Gatlinburg, it is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to get to Deep Creek.

The drive is so beautiful between the Visitor Center and the Deep Creek area. 

Some of the pull-offs are just gorgeous along the way. So if you have extra time, be sure to check some of these out if you are traveling from the Gatlinburg direction!

Between the Sugarlands Visitor Center and Deep Creek

In addition to the many picturesque pull-off opportunities, you will find several other unique places to stop and visit in the Great Smoky Mountains area along this stretch as well.

Here are some of our favorites if you have time (or to just note for another day!):

Chimneys Picnic Area, one of several picnic areas in the Great Smoky Mountains. We love to have a picnic & play in the water!

Rockefeller Memorial, President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the Great Smoky Mountains here. You will also find the North Carolina/Tennessee line as well as a great panoramic view of the mountains!

Clingman’s Dome, the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains at 6,685 ft. It also has some of the most amazing views of the Great Smoky Mountains if you are willing to take a 0.5 mile (uphill) hike.

The Oconaluftee Visitor Center is where you can stop by and ask Park Rangers about the Great Smoky Mountain Park and learn more about the history in the area. The Visitor Center also neighbors the Mountain Farm Museum, which is also worth exploring at some point!

Once you get into the Ocanuluftee area, there are often Elk roaming. We saw some on the way there and also on our way back, but couldn’t snap a picture quick enough. So be sure to keep your eyes peeled and your camera out! (Unless you are the one driving that is…and in that case, be a responsible driver and let your co-pilot take pictures!)

Cherokee and Bryson City – We also drove through some of the town of Cherokee and Bryson City. We plan to explore those a little more thoroughly another day when we have more time!

Navigating the Deep Creek Area

Once you enter the Deep Creek part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, some of the first things you will see are the campground and picnic areas. 

After passing the entrance to the picnic area, we found a great pavilion on the left with some bathrooms that we could stop at right off of the main road (W Deep Creek Road). 

There were also some signs with some great information about the surrounding areas, so be sure to stop by and check those out!

We then loaded back up and headed on our way to the Deep Creek Trail Parking area. During the summer months, this little parking lot is a popular spot! 

We finally found some hikers that were on their way out and we quickly snatched their spot. If you have trouble finding any parking, you can always head back over towards the picnic area and park there.

Locating the Deep Creek Trailhead

Right next to the parking lot, there is a nice area with a little bench and some signs that you can read before you take off on your trek.

There is also a pretty bridge to cross over.

And this is also a busy area where tubers are being dropped off to tube in the river.

Which Way Do You Go?

From the Deep Creek Waterfalls trailhead area, you have 2 options: 

Option 1: Start with Juney Whank Falls

You can take an immediate left and start at the Juney Whank Falls trailhead, which will actually loop around and put you back on the Deep Creek Trail. You would then take a left on the Deep Creek Trail to see Tom Branch Falls and then wrap it up at Indian Creek Falls as your last waterfall before you head back.

Option 2: Start with the Deep Creek Trail

Start at the Deep Creek Trailhead and see Tom Branch Falls first, then trek on to Indian Creek Falls. You would then head back and take a right onto Juney Whank Loop Trail, which leads you to Juney Whank Falls. Then you would follow that trail that loops around putting you right back out at the parking lot.

For us, we decided to do the Deep Creek Trail first and then loop back around and see Juney Whank Falls on our way out. I don’t think there is any right or wrong way to do it, so just pick one and go with it!

Take a quick picture next to the trailhead sign to document your journey, and head on your way!

On the Trail

Tom Branch Falls

If you are visiting during the summer months, this trail may have TONS of tubers walking up to go tubing. I don’t know if the timing of it was a busy part of the day or what, but at one point Matt looked at me and said he felt like he was at a busy water park. Ha!

Just a short walk and you will surprisingly come to Tom Branch Falls rather quickly! 

This is such a beautiful waterfall! It is also a very popular place for tubers to get in the river. So it took a few minutes for the river to clear to get a pretty shot of the waterfall! 

So be patient…it’s worth the wait!

Indian Creek Falls

As you head on up the trail, you will find a sign that is directing you to Indian Creek Falls.

Along the way there are several benches that you can stop at and take in the relaxing sounds of the river.

After a little more walking, you will come to a bridge to cross over. (Did I mention there were A TON of tubers there that day?!?)

Right after you get across the bridge, there are some more benches next to some small cascades.

Head on up the trail until you come to a crossroad where you will take a right. Don’t worry…there is a great sign marking the trails and pointing you in the right direction for Indian Creek Falls. 

Only 200 more feet up the hill, and you will come to the stairs that will take you on down to the falls.

Once at the bottom, take a few pictures of the falls.

And if you are lucky enough to strike up a conversation with another couple or family, you can even ask them to take a quick family picture for you. (And be sure to return the favor and offer to take a picture for them as well!)

When you are ready, head on up the steps to make your way out.

Head back the way you came, across the bridge.

And this time we got to enjoy the view of the river without tubers as most of them seemed to be gone for the day.

We also got to enjoy having the trail to ourselves for a little bit too!

Juney Whank Falls

On the way back down the Deep Creek Trail, you will start looking for the sign on your right that will direct you towards Juney Whank Falls. The sign is actually facing the other direction, so you will see something more like this…

Once you turn, you will see that it is pointing you up the hill and you should arrive at the falls in around 0.2 miles.

This is the part that was a little challenging. It was literally straight up. 

This is actually a part of a horse trail, so you may find a few surprises that the horses left along their way! 

Once you get to the top, you will see a sign where you will take a left and begin descending down to the waterfall.

As you walk down, it feels like you are in a different place completely. The bridge in front of the falls is so beautiful and just adds to the serenity of the waterfall.

Once there, we definitely took our time and sat on the bench and enjoyed the peacefulness that the Deep Creek area provides. 

After relaxing a little while on the benches, it was time to head home. Up the steps and back down the trail, we headed to the parking lot.

A Few Things to Consider

• If your family loves to have a good picnic, plan your hike before or after a meal time and take advantage of the Deep Creek Picnic area!
• Be sure to take a good look at a trail map of the Deep Creek area before you go that way so you are familiar with the area!
• If you have extra time, be sure to check out the town of Bryson City or Cherokee while you are in the area! Such a fun little place to explore!
• Make sure to take time to laugh and create memories exploring together as a family! And don’t forget to take plenty of pictures along the way!

Final Thoughts

All in all, our fun three waterfall adventure was a success! We had an amazing time exploring the Deep Creek area.

Each of the waterfalls were completely different and the views of each one offered its own beauty in its own way. We absolutely loved visiting the waterfalls and can’t wait to get back over there to give it a try during the fall or spring when the crowds (or tubers?!?) aren’t as plenty! If you get a chance to head that way, be sure to check out the Deep Creek waterfalls!

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So what about you, have you been to the Deep Creek area before? Have you hiked to the Deep Creek waterfalls? Which one is your favorite? And if you go try this adventure, be sure to let us know what you think!

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More Related Articles:

• Great Smoky Mountains Books and Guides
• Best Scenic Drives in the Smoky Mountains
• John Oliver Cabin in Cades Cove
• Elkmont Campground Smoky Mountains
• Hike Metcalf Bottoms Trail to Little Greenbrier School
• Laurel Falls Trail – Hike to Laurel Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains
• Spruce Flats Falls Hike – Great Smoky Mountains
• Cataract Falls – A Beginner Waterfall Hike in the Great Smoky Mountains
• The Foothills Parkway Visiting the Missing Link
• Tips for Visiting Clingmans Dome in the Fall
• Look Rock Tower Hike in the Great Smoky Mountains

Looking for a quick hike with beautiful views of the Great Smoky Mountains? Look Rock Tower Trail is a perfect beginner hike for the young and old (and everyone in-between!)

Read on to learn more about this family-friendly hike and our tips that we have learned along the way!

*This post may contain affiliate links which help support this site, but won’t cost you anything extra. Read our full disclaimer.

Hiking in the Smoky Mountains

As with any National Park, before you head out to explore, it never hurts to have on-hand some reliable and trustworthy resources for easy reference.

Here are a few of our favorite pocket guides that we recommend for hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains:

Hiking Trails of the Smokies

Day Hikes of the Smokies

Waterfalls of the Smokies

For more history and information about the Smokies, be sure to check out more Great Smoky Mountains Books and Guides here!

Look Rock Tower Hike Trail Information

• Round Trip Length: 1 mile (approx.)
• Trail Location: On the Foothills Parkway (near Townsend, TN)
• Directions: Foothills Parkway Southwest Parking #6
• Trail Features: Tower, Panoramic Views
• Round Trip Hours: 1 hour (or less)
• Difficulty: Easy

A round trip hike to and from Look Rock Tower usually takes us about 45 minutes. We will stay up at the top and explore for about 10 minutes or so before we head back down.

Look Rock Tower Trail offers one of the shortest hikes you can find in and around the Smoky Mountains. It provides a 360-degree panoramic view of the Great Smoky Mountains and surrounding areas.

There are only a few opportunities throughout the park to have this kind of view of the Smokies without having to trek very far!

How Do I Get to Look Rock Tower?

Although the picnic area was closed in 2013, it just recently reopened for a short season in 2019. Hopefully we will see it open more in the coming years as well!

On your navigation app, put in directions to “Foothills Parkway Southwest Parking #6, Foothills Pkwy, Maryville, TN 37803” and that will get you to the exact parking area that you need to be at to easily access the trailhead.

There are a couple of different ways to get there. Probably the easiest way for most visitors would be to take Hwy 321 and turn onto the Foothills Parkway. It is approximately 10 miles to the parking lot.

From the southern side of the Foothills Parkway, you can enter from Hwy 129 (also known as the The Dragon) and follow it approximately 8 miles to the parking lot.

A History with Look Rock

The Look Rock Tower Trail is by far the closest (and shortest) hiking trail to us in the Great Smoky Mountains. I have been hiking this trail with my family since I was a kid.

Not only did I hike this trail often when I was growing up, but Matt and I have been taking our kids on this trail since they were itty-bitty.

Maggie’s very first trek on this trail was at 4 months old. (She remembers it fondly.)

The boys have always loved this hike as well since they were little.

Another one of our family’s favorite things to do when I was growing up was to go to the Look Rock Picnic area. Our family has had MANY picnics in the Look Rock Picnic Area over the years.

Hiking to Look Rock Tower

You can spend a little time walking around the parking lot area. There are some pretty views and overhangs that you can check out. Be sure to keep the little ones close by as there are some potentially treacherous drop-offs.

Locating the Look Rock Tower Trailhead

From the parking lot, you will walk down the sidewalk and cross the road to get to the Look Rock Tower Trailhead. Take a minute to stop and read the sign. It has some interesting facts about the Look Rock Tower history.

On the Trail

The hike up to Look Rock Tower is about .5 miles. It usually doesn’t take too long since it is paved the entire way.

The first part of the trail will come to an end at a paved road. You will have the choice to go right or left. There is not any signage there, so be sure to take a LEFT and head on up the mountain.

Pretty quickly you will pass an air quality station on your right which collects information for the National Park Service.

Along with Look Rock Tower, scientists use this air quality monitoring station to study the quality of the air. It is fenced off but you can take a look around as you pass by. There are also some good boulders to sit on to take a break if needed.

Once you make it to the base of the tower, there is a rock to the right before you head up the ramp. This is a great photo opportunity. The kids always want a picture standing on the rock (and so does Matt…ha!).

And if you need another quick rest before proceeding up to the tower, there is a great bench right across from the rock. It’s also great for little boys to play on.

At the Top of Look Rock Tower

Head on up the ramps to the top of the viewing platform to get some amazing panoramic views of the Smokies.

Once at the top, you can see some of the highest peaks of the Smoky Mountains when you look to the east.

Over to the west, you can see the Foothills of the Smokies and the Tennessee River Valley. You can also reference the map up at the top that shows all of the peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains and surrounding areas, like Clingmans Dome and Mount Le Conte.

If you look closely, you can even get a glimpse of Fort Loudon Lake on a clear day.

And of course, be sure to take a few pictures while you are up there. And if you luck out and there are some other visitors are there, you can ask them to take a family picture for you!

Depending on the day and season that you visit, you may get many different views (none which are terrible!).

On a very clear day, you can see up to 40 miles!

On the more cloudy or hazy days, the view may be a little more limited but its still a very beautiful view of the Great Smoky Mountains!

Also, depending on the season, the views will be slightly different. The above pictures were in early fall and winter.

Here are a few in the summer time. You can see the trees are more full.

Spend as much time as you would like up at the top. It really is a very peaceful place to spend a few minutes soaking in the sunshine and the beautiful sights.

We will often bring snacks and let the kids sit up there and eat them while we take it all in. Take a few more pics and head back down when your crew is ready!

The return trip is downhill all the way, so it’s easy sailing from here!

Just be sure to take a right back down the trail you came up, as again there are not any signs marking the way!

A Few Things To Consider

• Check out the webcam at the top of Look Rock to see what the conditions are like before you head that way.
• Be sure to pack snacks and plenty of water for everyone. There are not any water fountains nearby, so plan accordingly.
• Hit the bathrooms before you make your way to Look Rock Tower. There are not any bathrooms accessible in the area.
• Watch your little ones very carefully near the overhangs and at the top of the tower. The sides are rather low at the top so be sure to keep a close eye on the kiddos!
• Take your binoculars with you to see further into the distance. For locals, its fun to let your kids look closer into neighboring areas like Maryville & pick out landmarks in the town.

Drive the Foothills Parkway

And for more incredible views, be sure to take some time to drive on the Missing Link of the Foothills Parkway before or after your hike as it is one of the best scenic drives in the Smoky Mountains!

Final Thoughts

Look Rock Tower Trail will always be one of our family’s favorite quick and easy hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains. It’s rarely crowded, easily accessible and offers great views of the area!

It is a great family-friendly hike to introduce your kids to hiking and will hopefully be a great foundation for building a love of hiking!

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Have you been to Look Rock before? What are some of your favorite things about visiting the Look Rock Tower Trail? Be sure to comment below to share!

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More Related Articles:

• Great Smoky Mountains Books and Guides
• John Oliver Cabin in Cades Cove
• Elkmont Campground Smoky Mountains
• Hike Metcalf Bottoms Trail to Little Greenbrier School
• Best Scenic Drives in the Smoky Mountains
• Laurel Falls Trail – Hike to Laurel Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains
• Spruce Flats Falls Hike – Great Smoky Mountains
• Cataract Falls – A Beginner Waterfall Hike in the Great Smoky Mountains
• Deep Creek Waterfalls Hike in the Smokies
• The Foothills Parkway Visiting the Missing Link
• Tips for Visiting Clingmans Dome in the Fall

Looking for something family-friendly to do in the Great Smoky Mountains? Read on to discover our tips and tricks to one of our family’s favorite spots- Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

*This post may contain affiliate links. Read our full disclaimer.

Clingmans Dome Trail Information

• Round Trip Length: 1 mile
• Trail Location: Off of U.S. Highway 441 (Between Gatlinburg, TN & Cherokee, NC)
• Directions: Clingmans Dome Trailhead
• Trail Features: Panoramic Views, Tower
• Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
• Round Trip Hours: 1 – 2 hours

Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at 6,643 ft. Although it is only 0.5 miles one way, the paved trail is on a fairly steep incline, gaining 332 feet on the way up!

The Clingman’s Dome tower at the end of the trail offers gorgeous panoramic views of the mountains, so it definitely is worth the trek!

Clingmans Dome History

The Clingmans Dome area is full of rich history. From the Cherokee Indians to the building of the Clingmans Dome tower, there is so much to learn about the history of this region. Here are a few books to grab to learn more about this area!

Clingmans Dome Revealed: A Natural, Historical and Cultural Gem in the Smoky Mountains

Clingmans Dome: Highest Mountain in the Great Smokies

Clingmans Dome, Cataloochee: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

For more history and information about the Smokies, be sure to check out more Great Smoky Mountains Books and Guides here!

The Journey to Clingmans Dome

Every year we love to go see all of the pretty fall colors in the Great Smoky Mountains. This past year, we decided to head up to Clingmans Dome to get a good drive in on the mountain roads and to take one last peak from Clingmans Dome before they closed the road for the winter season.

So we pulled out the winter jackets, hats and gloves, threw in a bag of snacks and drinks, hitched up the horses and headed on our way!

Hwy 321 to Metcalf Bottoms

From the foothills of the mountains on the Maryville side, we headed north on Hwy 321 which leads through the quaint town of Townsend. As we drove through the winding roads of 321, the colors and views were of course beautiful!

Another great option from the Maryville/Blount County side is to go on the Missing Link of the Foothills Parkway.

For this trip though, we took 321 to Wears Valley. We then took a left onto Wears Valley Road and followed it for a little while.

Next we took a right onto Lyon (Line) Springs Rd that leads right into the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area. Since there are limited access to restroom facilities, we stopped for a quick bathroom break at Metcalf Bottoms and then got back on the road.

Metcalf Bottoms to the Sugarlands Visitor Center

From Metcalf Bottoms, we took a left onto River Road to head towards Gatlinburg to get to Clingman’s Dome.

Once we hit River Road, the colors were noticeably more vivid. We were able to catch several stretches of the road where there was very little traffic, and we were able to get some pretty amazing pictures!

From Metcalf Bottoms, we traveled a little less than 10 miles to the Sugarlands Visitor Center. This was a really pretty part of the trip. The colors were absolutely stunning. Between the gorgeous colors on the trees and driving right next to the river, it was just perfect.

We caught one of the less crowded pull-offs and snapped a few pictures of the Little River with the colors.

Laurel Falls Trailhead

Between Metcalf Bottoms and the Sugarlands, we hit a slightly congested area at the trailhead for Laurel Falls.

Laurel Falls is a very popular hike for those visiting the Smokies for the first time. Its definitely a must do at some point when you are visiting the Great Smoky Mountains.

It’s a relatively easy hike and seems to be a popular choice as it’s almost always bustling!

Sugarlands Visitor Center to Chimney Tops

After we passed the Sugarlands Visitor Center (which has a great beginner hike to Cataract Falls) on the left, we took a right onto US-441.

Once on this road, we traveled about 13 miles before we actually got to Clingmans Dome Road.

Along this stretch, we passed a few congested areas. One being the trailhead parking for the Chimney Top trail. This is a popular (yet strenuous) trail year-round that offers great views of the Great Smoky Mountains.

The second congested area was a little bit further past that, for the Alum Cave trailhead. This is also very popular on the weekends for those not only hiking to Alum Cave but also the Alum Cave trail to Mt. Leconte (the third highest peak in the smokies).

After some more curvy roads and climbing up the mountain, you will pass a parking lot on your left at an area that is known as “Rockefeller Memorial”. This is the location where the Great Smoky Mountains were dedicated in 1940 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

If not too crowded and you have plenty of daylight, this is a great little stop to take some pictures and read the history. We were about to run out of daylight, so we opted to head on to Clingmans Dome.

Visiting Clingmans Dome

Clingmans Dome Road & Parking

A little ways after that, we took a right onto Clingmans Dome Road. After driving about 7 miles on Clingmans Dome Road, we started seeing cars parked along the road on each side. We took our chance and waited a little longer in traffic to park a little closer to the actual parking lot.

We lucked out since it was later in the day and many people were heading out…so we scored a nice parking spot near the port-a-potties (which we were more than ready to visit!)

We hopped out, bundled up and made a quick visit to the restrooms.

After we came out of the port-a-potties, Maggie gave a public service announcement: “Whatever you do, you DO NOT want to look down that hole!” Of which several bystanders chuckled out loud.

It’s a good life lesson though- don’t ever look down the hole of a port-a-potty.

Be Prepared for the Temperature Change!

Since Clingmans Dome is 6,685 ft in altitude, the temperature is easily 15-20 degrees colder than in the valley (thus the warm apparel we packed!).

You can always tell the people that did not do their research and failed to prepare themselves or their families. We saw everything from shorts, short sleeves, people wrapped in blankets, etc…let’s just say no one was trying to make a fashion statement!

It was 64 degrees when we left the foothills and it was 39 degrees when we got to the top of Clingmans Dome!

The wind chill actually made it feel MUCH colder than that, but we were at least prepared so we didn’t freeze our tails off.

Take Advantage of Some AMAZING Photo Opportunities!

Once there, you need to take a minute to snap a quick photo on the sidewalk across from the restrooms.

There are usually tons of people there taking in their first panoramic view of the mountains, so it’s pretty easy to ask someone to take a picture of your group, if you so desire! We always do and we have the sweetest memories of our family over the years!

Also, it looks like we are ready to climb Mount Everest or something. Did I mention it was COLD?!?

Take a few more panoramic pictures of the mountains and then head on up the trail to the 0.5 mile hike.

Hike To Clingmans Dome Tower!

Be sure to stop by the sign at the trailhead and read some of the information and background of the Clingmans Dome Tower.

Along the way, there are several benches that allow you to take a break if needed. The altitude is very different at 6,685 feet, so if you aren’t used to a lot of extracurricular activities or maybe aren’t in your best shape, by all means- take your time and take several breaks as needed!

Be sure to snap a few more pics along the way on your left. The view is just breathtaking!

Explore at the Top!

Once we hit the base of the tower, we stopped to take a quick pic before we headed up. The kids are always so excited when they see the tower. They love going to the top!

We lucked out and had a beautiful clear view of the mountains. Sometimes the clouds are too thick to see very far which is always a little disappointing, but definitely still worth the experience!

The wind was incredibly strong that day. I seriously thought we were going to blow off (or freeze death…). Either way, we didn’t linger too long. We all got a quick look around and took a few pictures and then headed back down.

Half of the ramp to the tower was covered with ice, so on the way down, the kids held onto the rails and tried to ice skate for a minute, but then decided it wasn’t worth the risk. So definitely pay close attention to any ice on the tower, as that would definitely not feel very good to fall on.

Head Back Down the Mountain!

The hike back down was 5 times quicker by far. We snapped a few more pics on the way down as the sun was setting.

If you make it there a little earlier, you can stop at the National Park store that is at the beginning of the trailhead. They have great park resources, maps, souvenirs, etc.

We usually go in there but they were closed by the time we made it back down. Our kids could spend hours in there looking around (and trying to persuade us to get a souvenir, as well!)

We hit the port-a-potties AGAIN and loaded up in the warm car to start the thawing process. Another successful visit to Clingmans Dome!

A Few Things To Consider

• Make sure you plan ahead and bring warm clothes. Do your research and be prepared…at least wear leggings under your shorts and grab a blanket out of your car. We have been in early October with shorts on and been okay before, but always make sure you do your homework & be prepared for cooler weather!
• Plan out restroom breaks carefully. (And don’t look down the hole of the port-a-potty. Per Maggie.)
• Be patient in the parking lot. It can become very congested and traffic will often stop or not move at all. Grab a parking spot when you can and don’t let the parking situation ruin your visit.
• Be sure to fill up your gas tank beforehand! If you happen to get stuck in traffic for a while, you will be really glad that you did. (Trust us on this one…)
• Take plenty of time to enjoy the experience with small kids. The incline is rather steep but it is paved and easy to walk. Let those in your party stop and take breaks as needed. Enjoy the time together making memories!
• Be sure to check out the NPS.gov website for Road Closures. Clingmans Dome Road is typically closed every year from December 1-March 31. Be sure to plan your trip to Clingmans Dome outside of that time period!
• For more information about Clingmans Dome be sure to read this: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/clingmansdome.htm

Final Thoughts

If you ever have a chance to visit Clingmans Dome in the Fall, be sure to do it! Its definitely one of our favorite experiences that provide some of the best views in the Great Smoky Mountains!

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Have you been to Clingmans Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains before? What was your favorite part of the trip? Be sure to leave a comment below about your experience at Clingmans Dome! We would love to hear about YOUR family’s adventures!

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