About Deep Creek Loop (Three Waterfalls Trail)
Deep Creek is a favorite for families because three waterfalls fit in one easy morning. The National Park Service lists a 2.4-mile loop on several short trail segments to reach Juney Whank Falls, Indian Creek Falls and Tom Branch Falls. The route is moderate in effort and gentle overall.
The hike
From the Deep Creek trailhead you walk up the Deep Creek Trail alongside the creek, passing Tom Branch Falls on the far bank, then reach Indian Creek Falls, a pretty cascade. A short side loop climbs to Juney Whank Falls, a thin double drop crossed by a footbridge. Return on a different trail to complete the loop. The route has some rocky and root-crossed sections, and the final stretch can be muddy.
Indian Creek Falls and Juney Whank Falls also have their own pages.
When to go
Spring and fall are lovely; summer is busy and popular for tubing in the creek below the trail (confirm current rules with the park). Winter is quiet and open.
Getting there
Deep Creek is on the North Carolina side, about two miles north of Bryson City on Deep Creek Road. The lot fills on summer weekends. Entry to the park is free, but a parking tag is required if you park more than 15 minutes: $5 a day, $15 a week or $40 a year. America the Beautiful and other federal passes do not count, and the tag has to be displayed in the vehicle.
Know before you go
Wear sturdy shoes, keep children away from the creek edge on wet rocks, and bring water. Pets are not allowed on these trails. The Deep Creek area page has current conditions.
Pair it with
Other hikes in the same part of the park:
- Oconaluftee River Trail: an easy riverside walk that allows dogs
- Kephart Prong Trail: a 4-mile round trip to a CCC camp
- Chasteen Creek Cascade: a 3.6-mile round trip
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 Deep Creek Loop (Three Waterfalls Trail)?
- Deep Creek Loop (Three Waterfalls Trail) is 2.4 miles one way, with about 200 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.
