Waterfalls are one beautiful feature you can see when hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains. If you've seen the popular spots, such as Grotto Falls, let us recommend some other ones to explore! Keep reading to plan your next great waterfall hike! Here is a list of 3 hidden waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains you'll want to find:
1. Rainbow Cave Falls
Rainbow Cave Falls stands at 40 feet high. It gets the name because the water rushes down and pours into a cave at the bottom. To see it, take the Schoolhouse Gap Trail to the Whiteoak Sinks area. The path is wide and easy to follow. you'll hear the rest of the water before you see it. A great time of year to do this hike is in the spring. This is because you'll have the opportunity to see hundreds of wildflowers on the ground. One of them is called Pink Lady Slippers. This pink flower gets the fun name because it slopes down at a point at the bottom. Visit for yourself to see what other flowers you can spot.
2. Mannis Branch Falls
Another one of the hidden waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains you'll want to find is Mannis Branch Falls. This is a 30-foot waterfall that flows from Mannis Branch Creek. See it from your car as you drive to Cades Cove from the Sugarlands Visitors Center. Get an even better view when you walk down a short trail to the river. While Mannis Falls isn’t the tallest waterfall in the park, the water flowing down it is fast and heavy!
3. Mill Creek Falls
Another great waterfall is Mill Creek Falls (also known as Mill Creek Cascade). It’s along one of the hidden hiking trails in Cades Cove. This is the most popular area of the national park, receiving over 2 million visitors every year. To get to it, hikers will take an unmarked route. Keep in mind that this trail is strenuous and well-suited only for experienced hikers. It is 7.5 miles roundtrip and over 1,500 feet of elevation gain. Look out for fallen trees and rocks along the way. Make sure to wear some sturdy hiking boots to help maintain your balance. Keep your eye out for wildlife! This is a popular trail for bird watching! The best time to see them is spring, early summer, and early fall. You might hear a wild turkey gobbling or spot it resting in the trees. You may also see a blue jay. They are also very vocal and travel in groups of 3 to 5. As for the trail’s namesake, it is one of the longest waterfalls in the Smokies at over 200 feet. Take a moment to relax and admire it before continuing your journey. All your hard work will pay off! Use caution on any slippery rocks if you plan to walk closer to the water.
Now you know of some hidden waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains! If you want even more options, check out our other list of unique waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains.
