About Indian Creek Trail (Deep Creek)
If you want waterfalls without a big climb, this short walk in Deep Creek is hard to beat. The National Park Service lists a 1.6-mile round trip along Deep Creek with views of two waterfalls, Tom Branch Falls and Indian Creek Falls.
The hike
The route follows the wide, gently climbing Deep Creek Trail upstream along an old roadbed. Tom Branch Falls drops down the far bank a little over a half mile in, and Indian Creek Falls is a bit farther, a lacy cascade at the junction with Indian Creek. For a longer loop, see the Deep Creek Waterfalls Loop.
When to go
Spring brings the strongest flow and fall color is attractive. Summer afternoons draw crowds to the creek, so aim for morning.
Getting there
Deep Creek is about two miles north of Bryson City on Deep Creek Road. You need a parking tag for any stop over 15 minutes in the park. It costs $5 a day, $15 a week or $40 a year, and federal passes such as America the Beautiful are not accepted. Buy it at a visitor center or on recreation.gov, and display the physical tag.
Know before you go
Bring water and sturdy shoes. Pets are not allowed on these trails. Stay on the trail and away from slick rocks at the falls.
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 Indian Creek Trail (Deep Creek)?
- Indian Creek Trail (Deep Creek) is 0.8 miles one way (1.6 miles round trip), with about 100 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.
