Grotto Falls

Hike up to this lovely waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Grotto Falls is located on the north side of Mount Le Conte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This waterfall is 25 feet tall and is accessed via the Trillium Gap Trail; you can park at stop #5 on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail to reach the trailhead. Grotto Falls is considered a moderate hike and is about a three-mile round trip trek, making it an ideal day hike while touring the Great Smoky Mountains. Be aware that the Great Smoky Mountains are black bear country. If you see a bear, do not approach it and never turn your back to one if you notice it coming towards you.

It takes most visitors two to three hours to hike to the falls and back. Please wear appropriate footwear, several portions of the trail are rocky and uneven, and it is not a pet-friendly trail. Also, be vigilant near the falls; the rocks are slippery and unsafe to climb. If you are planning a trip to Tennessee, be sure to visit the Grotto Falls.