A moderate 2.6-mile hike to a 25-foot waterfall unique for its trail passing behind the cascade, no dogs allowed in park.
Great Smoky Mountains parking tag required for any parking over 15 minutes
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Based on this listing's approximate location — see the note on coordinates below.
Grotto Falls is a 25-foot waterfall and the only waterfall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with a trail passing directly behind the cascade. The 2.6-mile round-trip Grotto Falls Trail is moderate in difficulty and passes through diverse forest, especially beautiful with wildflowers in spring. The experience of walking behind the falling water is a unique highlight.
Access requires a GRSM parking tag for stays over 15 minutes. No dogs are allowed on park trails except at Gatlinburg and Oconaluftee River areas. The access road (Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail) closes seasonally in winter, so verify current conditions before visiting.
Spring and early summer for strongest flow; trail accessible year-round when access road is open.
1.5–2 hours
Not wheelchair accessible.
You have a dog; no dogs allowed on park trails except at two specific locations.
Great Smoky Mountains parking tag required for any parking over 15 minutes
Via a 2.6-mile round-trip trail rated moderate by the managing agency.
No — the managing agency's page states dogs are not permitted here (or on the specific trail/area needed to reach the falls).
We track 6 waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains.
There are 4 other waterfalls we track in Sevier County. All Great Smoky Mountains waterfalls →
nps.gov
NPS GRSM 'Hike to Grotto Falls' page, checked Sept 2026; no closure listed (Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail access road closes seasonally in winter, per NPS place page). Only falls in the park with a trail passing behind it, per NPS.
Checked September 2026.