About Spruce Flats Falls
Spruce Flats Falls is a tiered waterfall of around 30 feet on Spruce Flats Branch in the Tremont area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, near Townsend, Tennessee. It is more intimate than dramatic: several small ledges rather than one big plunge, in a quiet cove away from the busy trailheads.
The walk
The trail starts near the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont and is a short walk, under a mile each way, with a steep section. Ask at the Institute or the nearest park visitor center for the current route, because trail connections around Tremont can change, and follow the signs. Footing is rocky and damp near the falls.
Getting there
From Townsend, follow Little River Road to Tremont Road and continue to the Institute. The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont runs programs on site, so respect posted areas and parking. 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. The Tremont road is narrow and shared with walkers, so drive slowly.
When to go
- Spring: The best flow and wildflowers.
- After heavy rain: The most water.
- Late summer: Often thin.
- Fall: Good color; fewer crowds than Cades Cove.
- Winter: Ice on the final steep stretch; carry traction.
Pair it with
Lynn Camp Prong Cascades, a 1.4-mile round trip on the Middle Prong Trail, is a few minutes up Upper Tremont Road, and the Townsend side of the park has Cades Cove and Little River Road. Dogs are not allowed on park trails other than the Gatlinburg and Oconaluftee River trails.
Know before you go
Wet rock is slick; stay on the trail. Cell service is poor. Download a map before you go.
Good to know
- How tall is Spruce Flats Falls?
- Spruce Flats Falls drops about 30 feet.
- 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.
