GSMNP Grotto Falls

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GSMNP Grotto Falls.JPG
Trail Name GSMNP Grotto Falls
Park Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Nearest City Gatlinburg
State Tennessee
Trail Marking None
Trail Use/Features Dnr hiking.png Dnr waterfall.png
Difficulty Rating Medium
Hiking Time 2 Hours0.125 Days <br />120 Min <br />
Distance:
round-trip/trail only
2.46 Mi3.959 km <br /> / 1.23 Mi1.979 km <br />
Trail Type In-and-Out
Climb/Descent Elevation 974 Ft296.875 Meters <br /> / -437 Ft-133.198 Meters <br />
High Point 3,712 Ft1,237.333 Yards <br />1,131.418 Meters <br />
Parking 35° 40' 49.08" N, 83° 27' 44.82" W
Trailhead 35° 40' 49.08" N, 83° 27' 44.82" W
Nearest Medical Sevierville
Trip Reports Click Here
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Trail Overview

Located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a moderate hike up through classic forest to a waterfall you can walk behind.

How to get there

From Gatlinburg, TN:

  1. At traffic light #8 on the Parkway, turn onto the Historic Nature Trail.
  2. Proceed into Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
  3. Turn right onto Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.
  4. Continue to Stop #5 and park.

Trailhead is marked and heads uphill.

Route Description

The Trillum Gap Trail heads up the side of Mount LeConte to the Grotto waterfall and beyond.

Mileage Description
0.0 Trailhead at Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail Stop #5.
0.2 Intersection of access path from parking lot with Trillum Gap Trail.
0.23 First creek crossing.
0.65 Second creek crossing.
0.9 Third creek crossing.
1.1 Fourth and last creek crossing heading up.
1.4 Grotto Falls

Typical Conditions

National Park Service does trail maintenance primarily between May thru Nov, thus some blowdowns possible during the off-season. The well-worn dirt trail also included tree roots and large stone. Can be very muddy have significant rain.

Fees, Permits, etc.

No fee, but Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail does not allow RVs or trailers and is only open March 11 - Nov 30 during 2011. During peak summer season, you might spend more time on this roadway than on the trail.

If the Roaring Fork Motor Trail closed, then next nearest access point would be at the Rainbow Falls trailhead for a 7 mile round trip hike.

After the Hike

Explore the other older cabins at the other stops along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail on the way out.

Misc. Information

Per NPS policy, pets are not allowed on park trails.

Maps

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GSMNP Grotto Falls profile.JPG

Photos