Great Smoky Mountains National Park · North Carolina, Tennessee

Porters Creek Trail

3.7 mi of trail, end to end · Hike Porters Creek Trail: 4 mi round trip in the Service's write-up · about 1,300 ft of climbing · 1,888 ft–3,410 ft · native surface · trail class Developed

HistoryBackcountry camps

2,207 ft 3,410 ft · 2.5 mi high 3,410 ft

Along the way #31 Porters Flalt Ownby-Longbranch Cemetery

Trailhead Porters Creek Trail Trailhead 1,886 ft Drive there

Hike Porters Creek Trail 4 mi round trip · the Park Service's write-up

1-3 Hours · no dogs · entrance fee applies

Start Greenbrier

A small waterfall flowing over mossy rocks in the forest.
Fern Branch Falls; a point of interest along Porters Creek Trail. Photo: Kenzie Connor

Porters Creek is a peaceful trail that is filled with history and loads of natural wonders.

Overview

If you're seeking a moderate hike that's typically less crowded than other park trails, Porters Creek Trail is a great option. The trail features historical and natural wonders, including the Great Smoky Mountain Hiking Club Cabin and the tranquil 40-foot Fern Branch Falls.

The trail ends at backcountry campsite #31, but many hikers turn back after reaching Fern Branch Falls, about 2 miles in. If you decide to continue, be aware that the trail becomes steeper just before the waterfall and remains mostly uphill to the campsite. A backcountry permit is required to camp at the site.

Parking & Trailhead

The trailhead is located at the dead-end of Greenbrier Road. Once you enter Greenbrier, continue to the end of the road in which you will see the trailhead and a gravel parking area with room for approximately 20 vehicles to park. Don’t forget your parking tag!

Nearest Restroom

Greenbrier Picnic Pavillion

Alternate Hikes

Hen Wallow Falls via Gabes Mountain Trail 4.3 miles (6.9 km) roundtrip.

Lynn Camp Prong Cascades via Middle Prong Trail 1.4 miles (2.3 km) roundtrip.

Gatlinburg Trail 3.8 miles (6.1 km) roundtrip.

Husky Branch Falls via Little River-Cucumber Gap-Jakes Creek Loop 5.4 miles (8.7 km) roundtrip.

Pets Pets are not permitted on this trail.

Accessibility Roots, rocks, high footlog bridges, stream crossings, and some elevation gain may make this trail challenging for some individuals.

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.