Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Hike to one of the lesser known Smokies waterfalls

Every visit to the Great Smoky Mountains is made better with a waterfall, or maybe several. Most of them require a hike of some kind to get to (although two can be viewed by car). But the trails and waterfalls themselves can get crowded at times, with so many visitors to the park, so many people seek a  little more solitude. If this is you, and you’re up for a little activity without having to take a very long hike, the trip to Baskins Creek Falls might be just what you’re looking for.

Waterfalls are one of the most popular sights to visit in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Most of them require a hike – although there are two that can be seen by car. But the park has more than 150 hiking trails, offering over 850 miles of hiking, so choosing the right trail for you and your family can be an adventure in itself.

Chimneys Picnic Area is a popular section of Great Smoky Mountains National Park that features picnic tables and grills for visitors to utilize. It is located on U.S. Highway 441 between Gatlinburg, TN and Cherokee, NC, easily accessible from both sides of the park. The area has 68 picnic sites, some of which are situated directly on the riverside, and features many shady and cool spots that are ideal to relax in.

Lunch by the river

Fern Branch Falls is a beautiful 50-foot waterfall that lies along Porters Creek Trail, which is a moderately difficult 4-mile round-trip (2 miles each way) hike in the eastern part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This trail features some wonderful natural scenery and is one of the less traveled trails that you can drive to, so it’s definitely worth a visit if you crave a walk in the woods.