About Cataract Falls Trail
Cataract Falls is the easiest waterfall walk near Gatlinburg. The path starts behind Sugarlands Visitor Center and runs about a quarter mile (roughly half a mile round trip) to a small waterfall on a stream.
The hike
The trail is short, wide and gentle. The falls are small but pretty, best after rain. It is a nice add-on to a stop at the visitor center. Stay on the trail and off the wet rocks.
When to go
Any season. Spring flow is best.
Getting there
Sugarlands Visitor Center is on Newfound Gap Road just inside the park near Gatlinburg. The park charges for parking rather than entry: a parking tag is $5 a day, $15 a week or $40 a year, required for any vehicle parked more than 15 minutes. America the Beautiful and other federal passes are not accepted.
Know before you go
Pets are not allowed. See the Sugarlands page.
Pair it with
Other hikes in the same part of the park:
- Gatlinburg Trail: an easy 4-mile round trip that allows dogs and bikes
- Grotto Falls: a 2.6-mile round trip to a waterfall you can walk behind
- Rainbow Falls: a 5.6-mile round trip to an 80-foot waterfall
Planning and safety
Because the walk is short and gentle, it suits families, first-time visitors and anyone with limited time. Mornings are calmer than afternoons, and a weekday visit makes parking easier.
Cell service is spotty across much of the park, so download a map ahead of time and tell someone where you are headed. Stay on the trail, keep dogs and other pets on the few trails where they are allowed, and give wildlife plenty of room. Trail conditions are posted on the park's closures page.
Good to know
- How long is Cataract Falls Trail?
- Cataract Falls Trail is 0.25 miles one way (0.5 miles round trip), with about 50 feet of climbing. It is rated easy.
- Are dogs allowed on this trail?
- No. Inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, dogs are allowed only on the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail.
- Do I need a parking tag to hike here?
- A Park It Forward parking tag ($5 a day, $15 a week or $40 a year) is required for any vehicle parked more than 15 minutes inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Entry is free, and federal passes such as America the Beautiful do not replace the tag.
