GSMNP Porter Creek




Trail Name	GSMNP Porter Creek
Park	Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Nearest City	Gatlinburg
State	Tennessee
Trail Marking	None
Trail Use/Features
Difficulty Rating	Easy
Hiking Time	2.5 Hours0.156 Days <br />150 Min <br />
Distance: round-trip/trail only	3.74 Mi6.019 km <br /> / 1.87 Mi3.009 km <br />
Trail Type	In-and-Out
Climb/Descent Elevation	1,021 Ft311.201 Meters <br /> / -296 Ft-90.221 Meters <br />
High Point	6,635 Ft2,211.667 Yards <br />2,022.348 Meters <br />
Parking	35° 41' 48.30" N, 83° 23' 17.59" W
Trailhead	35° 41' 48.30" N, 83° 23' 17.59" W
Nearest Medical	Sevierville
Trip Reports	Click Here


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Trail Overview[edit]

Located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, an easy hike along a cascading stream to see wildflowers, settler's life, and small waterfall.

How to get there[edit]

From Gatlinburg, TN:

Take US321 North (actually heading east) out of town.
Turn right into Great Smoky Mountains National Park at Greenbrier entrance.
Travel just over five miles on road which changes from paved to gravel - passing the road bridge to left to GSMNP Ramsey Cascades.

Trailhead starts at locked gate with brown information sign.

Route Description[edit]

The trail follows a gravel logging road at first, then continues uphill to follow the stream to the waterfall. At the farm site, make sure to take the far left "Porter Creek" trail along the stream versus the "Brushy Mtn." trail which leads towards GSMNP Grotto Falls in seven miles.

Distance (mi)	Elevation (ft)	Description
0.0	XXXX	Trailhead
0.75	XXXX	Ownby Cemetery
1.0	XXXX	John Messer farm site
2.0	XXXX	Fern Branch Falls

Continuing up the trail will reach backcountry Campsite #31 at 3.4 miles.

Typical Conditions[edit]

National Park Service does trail maintenance primarily between May thru Nov, thus some blowdowns possible during the off-season. Gravel roadbed for first mile, changing to rocky footpath. The latter section can be muddy after a significant rain.

Fees, Permits, etc.[edit]

No fee. Per NPS policy, no mountain bikes or dogs (even if their owners cannot read the clearly posted signs).

After the Hike[edit]

Misc. Information[edit]

Be aware that black bears are in the area.

Maps[edit]

Photos[edit]

Trailhead sign
Fern Branch Falls
John Messer Barn ~1875
Trail bridge