Fallspots

National Park

Waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park landscape photograph
Photo via Wikipedia. See the Wikipedia article for full attribution.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a national park of the United States in the southeast, with parts in North Carolina and Tennessee. The park straddles the ridgeline of the Great Smoky Mountains, part of the Blue Ridge Mountains and part of the Appalachian temperate rainforest, which are a division of the larger Appalachian Mountain chain. The park contains some of the highest mountains in eastern North America, including Kuwohi, Mount Guyot, and Mount Le Conte. The border between the two states runs northeast to southwest through the center of the park. The Appalachian Trail passes through the center of the park on its route from Georgia to Maine. With over 12 million visitors in 2024, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States.

Source: Wikipedia — “Great Smoky Mountains National Park”

64 documented waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Every named waterfall we've catalogued inside the park boundary, sorted by popularity. Click through for height, access, photos, live streamflow, and seasonal guidance.

Plan your visit

For fees, hours, current alerts, lodging, and downloadable maps, the National Park Service is the authoritative source. We link directly so you always see the freshest info.

When the park is busy

12,190,000 visitors per year (2023-2024 average). Peak is Jul, quietest is Dec.

Showing typical monthly distribution for parks with similar climate. Plan around the peak if you want fewer crowds — shoulder months often have the same scenery without the wait.

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Source: NPS IRMA Visitor Use Statistics. Annual total reflects 2023-2024 average; monthly shape is climate-modeled.

Questions visitors ask

Is there a fee to enter Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

Yes. Great Smoky Mountains National Park charges an entrance fee that varies by vehicle type and pass. The America the Beautiful annual pass covers most National Parks. See the official NPS fee page for current amounts: https://www.nps.gov/grea/index.htm/planyourvisit/fees.htm

How many waterfalls are in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

We've documented 64 named waterfalls inside the park boundary using OpenStreetMap, USGS GNIS, and point-in-polygon checks against the official NPS boundary.

What's the best time of year to see waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

We don't have season data on enough waterfalls inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park yet to recommend a window.

Can I bring my dog to Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

Most National Parks restrict dogs to developed areas (parking lots, paved roads, campgrounds) and prohibit them on most trails. Check the park's specific pet policy before visiting: https://www.nps.gov/grea/index.htm/planyourvisit/pets.htm

What are Great Smoky Mountains National Park's hours?

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is generally open 24/7, but visitor centers, roads, and specific facilities have their own hours and seasonal closures. Always check current conditions: https://www.nps.gov/grea/index.htm/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

Answers cross-reference official NPS pages and our point-in-polygon dataset. NPS is authoritative for fees, hours, and current conditions — always click through before driving.