There are more than 100 waterfalls in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you enjoy seeing waterfalls in the Smokies, you’ll love knowing that there are a few you can see while taking scenic drives! Here are 5 roadside waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains you can’t miss:
1. The Sinks
The Sinks is located off Little River Gorge Road close to Gatlinburg. This area is close to the Meigs Creek trailhead and provides a great scenic experience! It includes the 15-foot waterfall itself as well as the large pool that the Little River rushes into. When the trees are not full of leaves, you may even get a slight view of the mountains. The Sinks may be small, but they definitely make up for their size with the amount of rushing water they offer for visitors to see!
2. Place of a Thousand Drips
If you are visiting downtown Gatlinburg, you won’t have to go too far to find Place of a Thousand Drips! It is a waterfall located on the Roaring Fork Motor Trail. Like some other waterfalls, Place of a Thousand Drips is named because of its main feature. From 20 to 30 feet, smaller streams of water flow over several rocks. The best time to get the full beauty of this waterfall is to go see it after a nice rain! On top of that, you’ll also be able to get a view of the carved spots on the rocks where the falls have flowed over time.
3. Cane Creek Twin Falls
You can find Cane Creek Twin Falls on the trip along Little River Gorge Road between Cades Cove and Gatlinburg. This is a small set of falls that may be easy to miss when there is lush greenery around it. The left section of the falls flows over a large flat rock. Conversely, the right side has rushing water that cascades over a small cliff of rocks. If you want to see this waterfall without stopping, it is best to travel toward it from the Townsend side of the drive.
4. Meigs Falls
Another waterfall that you can see from your vehicle is Meigs Falls. Like Cane Creek Twin Falls, this waterfall is a little hidden if you’re not actively looking for it. Meigs Falls is located about 13 miles away from the Sugarlands Visitor Center and about 10 miles from the Elkmont area. A great time to see these falls would be during the winter after it snows and when Smoky Mountain roads are open. You might have the chance to see Meigs Falls frozen over with hundreds of icicles and snow!
5. Cliff Branch Falls
Although most of the roadside waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains are in Tennessee, you may want to make a trip to North Carolina for one more. If you take a scenic drive on Newfound Gap Road, keep an eye out for Cliff Branch Falls! It is a roadside waterfall located in Bryson City, not far from the Smokemont Campground. This waterfall contains a few cascades rushing over rocks from a height of 12 feet but is definitely a hidden gem you don’t want to miss in the Smokies.
Now that you know about some roadside waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains, you’ll be ready for your next scenic drive in the area! Interested in staying in the Smokies for a while? Consider spending the night at one of these campgrounds in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
