Laurel Falls trail is the longest and most popular of the four paved trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Laurel Fork Trail. Due to the steep grade and roughness of pavement, this trail is not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. -During the summer months, the parking lot fills up by 9 AM. The trail to Laurel Falls consists of three major portions containing steps. Grotto Falls 01. In the upper section of the falls you can even dip your toes in the water to feel how cool the water is. A word of caution, when hiking Laurel Falls Trail with kids, be sure to keep them from wandering off the paved path. Laurel Falls to Cove Mountain lookout tower, "Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Plan Your Visit: Laurel Falls", "Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Maps", Hiking information for the Cove Mountain Lookout Tower, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Laurel_Falls_Trail&oldid=977469058, Hiking trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Protected areas of Sevier County, Tennessee, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0, 2.6 mi (1.3 to Laurel Falls); 6.4 km (2.1 to Laurel Falls), Fighting Creek Gap, near Gatlinburg, Tennessee, inside of the, Easy (to falls); Moderate (to lookout tower). Overall a solid trail. Easy 4.4 (106) Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you want to avoid crowds arrive very early or later in the evenings. Originally, the Laurel Falls Trail was built in the 1930s as an access trail for fire crews in the event a blaze broke out in the Cove Mountain area. This is an active bear inhabited area. Not only is it illegal, but feeding a bear guarantees its demise! It is not a trail you could use a walker or stroller on by any means. We experienced amazing seclusion and even took time to meditate by the River for 15 minutes. Read more. Laurel Falls is one of the most popular hikes in the Smokies (photo by Kelly vanDellen/shutterstock.com). Photos (128) Directions. The trail has short, steep sections which can be slippery in wet weather. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure. It is representative of the hundreds of miles of Smokies streams, whose purity is unexcelled by streams anywhere else in the United States. The trail ascends Cove Mountain (elev. So, this ain't doing laps at the mall. 4,077ft (1,243m); 1,372 m), leading past Laurel Falls, one of the most popular waterfalls in the national park, en route to the summit of Cove Mountain and the Cove Mountain fire tower. The trail was originally built to allow fire crews access to the Cove Mountain area in the event of a fire. Hi Bill, that is a great question. The area is especially busy on weekends year-round and on weekdays during summer. Tips for Visiting: Elevation + 23f. Time/General; Weather . The trail is steeper, rougher and is not paved. BE careful on the rocks at the falls. Francisco o vallejos. Length 0.4 miElevation gain 45 ftRoute type Loop. Little Greenbrier School - 2,070 Catch our video when we get it posted on YouTube @hanginwiththeharrises. Discover the most beautiful places, download GPS tracks and follow the top routes itinerary on a map. Mouse Creek Falls is located on Big Creek Trail. Inexperienced hikers should be prepared for a serious walk. Mostly paved and not to steep. You can keep going at the top of the loop, but not very far. The hike to Laurel Falls is 2.3 miles round trip. Do not feed wildlife. 37738, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. The falls were small but pretty! Parking will be on both sides of the road for the Laurel Falls trail. We parked at the lookout because the parking was full at 8:35am. That trail is about half mile up the road. Laurel Falls Trailhead Alert Great Smoky Mountains National Park staff will continue efforts to eliminate unsafe roadside parking at Laurel Falls Trailhead. In addition, there are short, steep sections and steep drop-offs that can become quite slippery. , Dollywood's DreamMore Resort may be more expensive, but it does come with some impressive amenities (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com), So youre planning an East Tennessee vacation. While there is no entrance fee, a paid parking tag is required for those who park for longer than 15 minutes. Lots of variety. If youre just going to the falls and back, as most people do, its about 2.6 mile roundtrip hike, or 1.3 miles each way. There are parking areas available near the trailhead, but space is limited. Gatlinburg, Nice, easy, and quiet. The name Laurel Falls comes from the evergreen shrubs (rhododendron and mountain laurel) that grow near the trail and waterfall. It was busy by the time we were back. The old-growth forest here was never logged (as most forests in the area were), most likely due to the difficulty in transporting materials to and from the isolated region. There is 314 feet of elevation gain. Carry drinking water with you. This trail is great for hiking and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Gatlinburg was built on a rich and interesting history (left photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com; right photo public domain), Lake proponents argued that turning Cades Cove into a body of water would promote tourism (photo by Patrick Jennings/stock.adobe.com). By the early 1960s, however, Laurel Falls had become a popular hiking destination for visitors, and erosion was beginning to take a toll on the trail. The trail features a cascading waterfall with an upper and lower section divided by a walkway which crosses the Laurel Branch stream. There are a lot of options when it comes to choosing where to stay. This trail makes for some great photography opportunities, so if thats something youre looking for plan to make your hike in the early morning or late in the day for the best lighting. . Enjoyed with our three kids when they were younger. Laurel Falls, Old-growth forest, Cove Mountain lookout tower, Waterfall crossing, lookout tower unsafe to climb. All rights reserved. The trailhead is located off Fighting Creek Gap Road inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, less than four miles (6km) from the park headquarters at the, This page was last edited on 9 September 2020, at 01:16. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 7 min to complete. Elevation The Laurel Falls Trail has a maximum elevation of 4,042 ft ., a minimum elevation of 2,333 ft. and an elevation range of 1,709 ft. Metrics Data Accuracy Data Reliability Calories The following chart shows the total calories that you may expend on the trail while hiking in both directions. After turning right, you will drive approximately 3.5 miles to the trailhead. Laurel Falls is an excellent trail for beginners, and it is also . The relatively easy 2.6 mile roundtrip hike is paved and provides hikers with an incredible view of an 80-foot high waterfall. The shade provided by the surrounding mountains will likely produce a much better photograph.Visitors should also note that you'll be traveling in bear country on this hike. From Sugarlands Visitor Center, turn toward Cades Cove on Little River Road and drive 3.5 miles to the trailhead where there are parking areas on both sides of the road. Started at about 8 am and the parking lot was full when we got back to our car. Abrams Falls - 1,473 Also, the trail to Laurel Falls is quite steep and is not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. Furthermore, there is a wooden post at every 0.1-mile (0.16km), giving the many visitors who walk the 1.3 miles (2.1km) to Laurel Falls an indicator of just how far they have to go. Also known as Kalmia latifolia, this plant is usually around 15 feet tall. This . People have fallen to their deaths and many others have suffered serious injuries from climbing on rocks near waterfalls or along the riverbanks. There are over 800 miles of trail in the national park, but less than 3 miles are paved. You can make a reservation online, and if you go the day of, note that it is cash only. The trail is paved, making it much easier to navigate than many other trails in the park. danilo_magnago. Is paved but worn. The trail is paved, but portions of it are crumbling and have been washed away. Do not approach within 50 yards or any distance that disturbs a bear. nice easy paved hiked. Bugs Save to a List. Elkmont Campground - 2,150 Want to report conditions for this trail? This tower used to be a fire tower, and is only one of four remaining former fire towers in the park. If you wish to avoid crowds your best bet is to begin your hike early in the morning, during the early evening hours, on a weekday, or during the off-season.The Laurel Falls Trail was built in 1932 to provide fire crews with access to the Cove Mountain area in the event of a forest fire. Its slippery but super enjoyable! Stay alert to your surroundings, and do not approach any wildlife that you come across. As part of the 1963 Accelerated Works Projects grant to the Department of Interior, Laurel Falls Trail was reconditioned, graded and paved to halt the erosion. Much more technical than I expected, lots of rocks & trees to cross over. Do not climb on rocks around the waterfall. The trail was completely over-crowded with people, strollers, dogs, BO and flip flops. 1 on our list for its incredible amenities (photo courtesy of VRBO), When I book a mountain cabin, I want to be up in the mountains, with a view and some privacy. Laurel Falls is an 80-foot waterfall and one of the most popular hikes for families in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. "Nice short walk. Or maybe youre too high-brow to even consider it. @hanginwiththeharrises and follow you on FB also. Highest Elevation: 2,677 Feet; The roundtrip distance of the Laurel Falls trail is 2.6 miles, making it the longest of the three paved trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A good option to see many of the falls is the loop from the Virgin Falls Trailhead. The Laurel Falls Trail is paved over the first 1.3 miles (2.1km) of its course, where it runs just in front of Laurel Falls, the single most popular attraction via trail in the national park. Rainbow Falls: A beautiful waterfall with hikes through the old-growth forest that's right off the Roaring Springs Motor Trail. This area has the two main things needed for a waterfall - naturally water, and a gradient or change in elevation. In total, the hike is 2.5 miles long and has an elevation gain of 469 feet. Although it may not seem like it, due to the scores of people on the trail at any given time, but black bears are still present in this area. Photo by Bob Carr. It is roughly a 2-hour long round trip. Portions of the trail have steep drop-offs. Beautiful but small falls. The stream itself is worth the hike. The NPS launched a pilot program in 2021 to ease congestion at the falls and briefly required a reservation. Andrews Bald - 5,920 As you make your way to the falls youre encompassed by the breathtaking geological formations. Maybe go earlier in the day? If you are fortunate enough to see a bear while you are visiting the park, please remember that it's up to you to protect them. Once you get to the falls there is a side trail just before that you can climb down to see the lower falls . 2021 HikingintheSmokys.com & StaySense LLC. Laurel Falls Walkway. Thirty years later its popularity as a hiking trail coupled with natural erosion created the need for the trail to be paved. Inexperienced hikers should be prepared for a serious walk. Later, in the 60s the Laurel Falls Trail became increasingly popular among visitors. Dont recommend for small children. Balsam Mountain Campground - 5,310 The trail is paved, making it much easier to navigate than many other trails in the park. Two waterfall hikes are nearby, which are Coon Den Falls and Laurel Falls. Finding parking during peak season can be a problem. If you see another visitor breaking these rules, or encounter a bear on a trail, please call (865) 436-1230 or stop at a Visitor Center to report it. The fire tower was completed three years later. The falls are named for mountain laurel, which is an evergreen shrub that blooms along the trail and near the waterfall in the spring. Elevation of Laurel Falls, Tennessee, USA Location: United States > Tennessee > Sevier County > Sevierville > Longitude: -83.5935 Latitude: 35 . It is, however, one of only three remaining lookout towers in the park (not including the fire tower of Mount Cammerer), the other two being at Mount Sterling and Shuckstack. Nice! TN Its about more than standing on the mountain top. Print/PDF map. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 10 min to complete. Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. The falls receives its name from the mountain laurel that blooms along the trail and near the falls in May.If you wish to go home with some great photographs of the waterfall you may want to consider planning your hike for early in the morning, or late in the day. Drive on this road for 3.5 miles to the trailhead. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate and a partner of other affiliate programs including Booking.com, CJ and Tripster, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases via links found in this article. The waterfall consists of an upper and a lower section, divided by a walkway which crosses the stream at the base of the upper falls. Walkway is a little misleading as you have a couple stream crossings and rock scrambles. In 1935 workers also completed the Cove Mountain Fire Tower. Had to rock hop a little bit over streams but nothing too hard. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. This was an excellent trail especially for our group of two families (kids ages; 10, 10, 8, 8, 8, 4). The Appalachian Trail passes nearby. This page shows the elevation/altitude information of Laurel Falls, Tennessee, USA, including elevation map, topographic map, narometric pressure, longitude and latitude. Loved it. Finally, it approached a visitor in search of a handout, when it didnt get what it wanted, it bit a hiker.
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