About Grotto Falls
Grotto Falls is a 25-foot waterfall that you can walk behind, and the only one in Great Smoky Mountains National Park where the trail passes behind the water. The hike is 2.6 miles round trip on the Trillium Gap Trail through old-growth hemlock and rhododendron, and it is a good first big-waterfall hike while Laurel Falls is closed.
The trail
The trailhead is on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, a one-way loop that leaves Gatlinburg at traffic light #8. The Park Service lists the 2026 season as April 17 through November 29, with winter closures for snow and ice. The trail climbs steadily and crosses several streams. Roots and wet rock can be slick, and the NPS has posted a bear caution on this trail, so give any bear plenty of space.
Behind the curtain
A worn path leads behind the falls into a mossy alcove. The rocks stay wet and the passage is narrow, so go slowly and let people pass. Expect spray on camera lenses. The trail continues to Mount LeConte, but most people turn around here.
Parking and crowds
The small lot often fills by mid-morning, and the Park Service recommends a backup plan or a shuttle. Entry to the park is free, but any vehicle parked more than 15 minutes needs a parking tag ($5 daily, $15 weekly, $40 annual). Federal passes such as America the Beautiful do not replace it, and the tag must be displayed in your vehicle. Arrive before 9 a.m. on weekends and in October.
When to go
- Spring: Full flow and wildflowers.
- Summer: Cool alcove on a hot day; the lot is the challenge.
- Fall: Good color along the trail.
- Winter: The road may be closed, and ice forms on the trail and around the falls.
Check the closures page before you drive. Carry water, a rain layer and an offline map; cell service is poor.
Good to know
- How tall is Grotto Falls?
- Grotto Falls drops about 25 feet.
- How far is the hike to Grotto Falls?
- It is about 1.3 miles each way, rated moderate.
- Can you swim or climb at the falls?
- Please don’t climb on or around waterfalls. Wet rock and algae are extremely slick, and falls from waterfalls are a leading cause of death in the Smokies. Enjoy the view from the trail.
- Do I need a parking tag?
- 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.
