Fall at Laurel Falls

Hike stats

Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Distance: 2.6 miles RT

Elevation Gain: 314 feet

Date Hiked: early November 2018

Getting Here

The trailhead is located on Little River Road in between the Sugarlands Visitor Center (Gatlinburg) and Elkmont Campground. The parking lot is small, so to reduce the damage the out-of-control off road parking was causing, the park had recently implemented a pilot parking pass system that could be reserved in advance during the busy months. As of 2022, we are awaiting word on if this will be continued or not. Be sure to check the NPS website in advance! If no reservations are required, be sure to arrive early, by 7 am if possible to snag a spot. Please LNT and do not park off road.

The Hike

During medical school, I chose to spend a few months working and studying at our Knoxville, TN, campus, a decision that was almost entirely made by my desire to be close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway during the fall and winter. Unfortunately, as October came and went with nary an orange-hued tree in sight, I knew that the fall color period would be short. So when I was finishing up a night shift in labor and delivery and read online that the colors were finally peaking, I practically ran to my car and drove straight to the Smokies, still in my scrubs (these are the moments when I’m thankful for not cleaning out my car - it’s like a second closet!).

Roadside overlook

I arrived at the trailhead parking lot just before 8 am, grabbing one of the few remaining spots. After covertly changing into appropriate hiking clothes, I made my way up the trail. The trail has a gradual but noticeable increase in elevation at the start, but the vibrant colors popping up on the trees were a wonderful distraction from my post-night shift tiredness.

The trail took me through a forested setting, flanked by the mountain laurel plants that give this trail its name. While the fall colors on this trail are fabulous, hiking here in May or June when the white and pink laurel bloom would be equally beautiful. After getting sneak peaks of the orange, yellow, and red-splashed mountainsides, I eventually came upon an opening in the trees where I was treated to an unobstructed view of the sprawling Smoky Mountains, awash with some of the best fall colors I’ve ever seen.

Not long after this viewpoint, the trail began to descend, which is where things can get a bit dicey for those who thought, “Oh the trail is paved Grandma, it can’t be too bad!” The trail here was indeed once paved, but the forest has already begun to reclaim it, creating an uneven surface. But for those who persist, the cascading Laurel Falls awaits, wow-ing even the most hardy of hikers. A bridge bisects the upper and lower falls and offers a great vantage point from which to view the falls. But beware, it has been known to flood after periods of heavy rain.

I continued past the bridge about twenty yards and was able to get a great view of both the upper and lower falls peaking through the yellow leaves. After hanging out for a bit and enjoying the combination of the sounds of rushing water and the smell of decaying leaves, I finally gave over to my desire for a good day’s rest and made my way back home.

This lovely trail is one of the most popular hikes in the Smokies, and once you hike it, you’ll know why! Not only is it fairly short and easy for most able-bodied people, but it has a gorgeous cascading waterfall waiting for you at the end. Unfortunately, this combo of being easy, beautiful, and accessed off a main road makes for a rather crowded hike. Nonetheless, I do think it is worth checking out for visitors and locals alike. Make sure you arrive early (before 8 am, even on weekdays!) to secure a parking spot. While the trail is technically paved, it is NOT ADA-accessible nor is it stroller-friendly. Watch your kids on this one as there are several spots with steep drop offs.

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