A strenuous 5.6-mile hike to a waterfall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with steep ascent, icy winter conditions, and no dogs allowed.
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.
NPS page notes the trail 'is often icy in winter.'
Rainbow Falls is accessed via a strenuous 5.6-mile round-trip hike starting from Cherokee Orchard Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trail climbs more than 2,000 feet with steep grades, earning its reputation as a challenging day hike best reserved for experienced, fit hikers. Winter conditions make the trail hazardous with icy patches; visit spring through fall for safer footing.
Access requires a GRSM parking tag. No dogs are allowed on park trails except at two specific locations. The reward of reaching the falls justifies the effort for experienced waterfall hikers.
Spring through fall; avoid winter when the trail is often icy and treacherous.
3–4 hours
Not wheelchair accessible.
You want an easy or moderate hike; this trail is steep and challenging with 2000+ feet of elevation gain.
Great Smoky Mountains parking tag required for any parking over 15 minutes
Via a 5.6-mile round-trip trail rated strenuous 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 Rainbow Falls' page, checked Sept 2026; no closure listed. Official page does not state a specific falls height, so left null rather than using unverified secondary figures. Trailhead on Cherokee Orchard Road.
Checked September 2026.