Jan 7, 2025 · Hike 2.6 miles (4.2 km) roundtrip through a mixed hardwood forest to an 80-foot (24-m) waterfall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. On the way, enjoy dense mountain laurel and rhododendron plus views of the mountain landscape before arriving at the waterfall.

Aug 7, 2024 · Every year, over 200,000 visitors hike well-worn trails to view Grotto, Laurel, Abrams, Rainbow, and other popular waterfalls in the park. Large waterfalls attract the crowds, but smaller cascades and falls can be found on nearly every river and stream in the park.

Dec 17, 2024 · The National Park Service (NPS) will begin a major rehabilitation on Laurel Falls Trail, one of the most popular trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trail will close for 18 months starting Jan. 6, 2025, as crews make improvements to the trail and parking areas.

Laurel Falls Trail is closed as of January 6, 2025, for about 18 months of rehabilitation work. (Laurel Falls Trail is closed from the trailhead on Fighting Creek Gap Road up to the junction with Little Greenbrier and Cove Mountain trails.

Webpage with information about the 2021 visitor experience stewardship pilot at Laurel Falls trail.

Oct 10, 2024 · Hemlock and rhododendron line banks of the creek, which is also home to three of the park's rare, threatened, and/or endangered fish species. Otters, which were reintroduced to the area, are occasionally seen near the falls.

The pilot project aims to improve visitor safety, relieve congestion, better protect park resources, and enhance the visitor experience on Laurel Falls Trail. The 1.3-mile trail is one of the most popular trails in the park with more than 375,000 visits in 2020.

The National Park Service (NPS) has initiated planning efforts for the Laurel Falls Trail Management Plan in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (the Park). The Laurel Falls trailhead is on Little River Road about 5.5 miles from the Park's Gatlinburg, Tennessee entrance.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park staff will continue efforts to eliminate unsafe roadside parking at Laurel Falls Trailhead. Temporary roadside barriers will be re-established during the busy summer season through fall, beginning Thursday, June 9 …

Jul 2, 2015 · One of the most diverse trails in the park, the hike to the Alum Cave Bluffs is an opportunity to walk through old growth forests, cross cool mountain streams, and bear witness to the unique geological formations of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.