About Grotto Falls Trail (Trillium Gap Trail)
Grotto Falls is the easy-to-reach waterfall many visitors now want, especially while Laurel Falls Trail is closed. The National Park Service lists the hike at 2.6 miles round trip on the Trillium Gap Trail, and it is the only waterfall in the park where the trail runs behind the falls.
The hike
From the trailhead on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, the path climbs gently through old-growth hemlock and hardwood forest, crossing several small streams. The trail is well traveled but muddy and slippery in spots; about 500 feet of climbing makes it moderate. At the falls you can step behind the curtain of water onto a rock shelf. Stay on trail and watch your footing on wet stone.
When to go
Spring and early summer have the best flow. Fall color on the road in is a bonus, and winter can be pleasant but icy. Weekends fill up fast, so arrive early or visit mid-week. NPS notes bear activity on the Trillium Gap Trail this season, so keep a safe distance and store food.
Getting there
The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a one-way loop that is closed in winter. In 2026 it was open mid-April through Nov. 29, and the narrow road is not suited to vehicles over 25 feet. The parking lot is small, and on the first stretch of Cherokee Orchard Road, from the park boundary to the Ogle Homesite, NPS currently asks drivers to stay in their vehicles because of bears.
Plan on a parking tag ($5 daily, $15 weekly, $40 annual) if you will be parked longer than 15 minutes. Federal passes do not substitute for it, and a screenshot will not do; the tag must be displayed in the vehicle.
Know before you go
Wear shoes with grip, bring water, and expect crowds in summer and fall. Pets are not allowed. For other waterfalls, see the park's waterfalls guide.
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
- Rainbow Falls: a 5.6-mile round trip to an 80-foot waterfall
- Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail: a paved half-mile loop
Planning and safety
Give yourself more time than the mileage suggests. Rocks, roots, stream crossings and short climbs all slow the pace, and most people stop often. An early start gives you the quietest trail and the best chance at a parking space.
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 Grotto Falls Trail (Trillium Gap Trail)?
- Grotto Falls Trail (Trillium Gap Trail) is 1.3 miles one way (2.6 miles round trip), with about 500 feet of climbing. It is rated moderate.
- 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.
