Great Smoky Mountains National Park · North Carolina, Tennessee

Laurel Falls Trail

4.0 mi of trail, end to end · Hike to Laurel Falls: 2.6 mi round trip in the Service's write-up · about 1,800 ft of climbing · 2,290 ft–4,021 ft · asphalt, native surface · trail class Developed

WaterfallsGaps

2,601 ft 3,638 ft · 1.8 mi high 3,638 ft

Along the way Fighting Creek Gap Laurel Falls

Hike to Laurel Falls 2.6 mi round trip · the Park Service's write-up

no dogs · entrance fee applies

Start Expect crowds and full parking at Laurel Falls Trailhead—consider a shuttle

A two-tiered waterfall framed by greenery. Hiker icon in lower right corner.
Hike 2.6 miles (4.2 km) roundtrip from the Laurel Falls Trailhead on Little River Road. Photo: Smokies Life Photo

Overview

Laurel Falls Trail is closed as of Jan. 6, 2025 for rehabilitation work—alternate hikes listed below.

Learn more about the trail rehabilitation project in the news release .

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.

Length

2.6 miles (4.2 km) roundtrip

Parking & Trailhead

Please consider a shuttle or park at Laurel Falls Trailhead on Little River Road 3 miles (4.8 km) west of Sugarlands Visitor Center, though these parking lots are often full due to this trail's popularity. Don't forget your parking tag .

Nearest Restroom

Sugarlands Visitor Center

Alternate Hikes

Little River, Cucumber Gap, Jakes Creek Loop : 5.4 miles (8.7 km) roundtrip

Grotto Falls : 4 miles (6.4 km) roundtrip

Lynn Camp Prong Cascades : 1.4 miles (2.3 km) roundtrip

Gatlinburg Trail : 4 miles (6.4 km) roundtrip

Pets The Gatlinburg Trail and Oconaluftee River Trail are the only two park trails where pets are permitted. Pets are also allowed in picnic areas, in campgrounds, and on roads.

Accessibility Some sections of the trail have cracked, uneven pavement.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

All 244 trails in Great Smoky Mountains National ParkFind a trailOn the parks mapPark on nps.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.