Plan with
Confidence
All campsites must be registered with the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. (https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/eatingsleeping.htm).
The Great Smoky Mountain National Park also closes secondary roads on a seasonal schedule due to snow. Schedules can be found here:
(https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/seasonalroads.htm)
Backcountry rules and regulations can be found here:
(https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/backcountry-regs.htm)
Path Type
Point to Point
Just northwest of the Cades Cove Visitor Center, the trailhead for the Abrams Falls Trail is off the side of Cades Cove Loop Road, between exits 10 and 11. A gravel road leads to a large parking area near the trailhead.
This is one of many popular day trips in the Smokies. Shortly into the trail, hikers will cross a footbridge over Abrams Creek. The hike to the Abrams Falls is fairly level the entire time. Along the way, the forest and rhododendron surround the trail as it follows the creek.
The falls are a great place to sit down and relax for a picnic. While the falls are only 20' feet high, it pours a huge volume of water per second into a pool roughly 100' wide.
It's important to exercise caution near the falls and not to get too close. Don't climb on the slippery rocks or swim in the water. Backpacker Magazine listed this trail amongst the "10 most dangerous hikes in America" in 2008 (due to accidents near the falls).
Hikers can choose to hike along past the falls towards Hannah Mountain Trail and Little Bottoms Trail, allowing the option to hike some excellent loops and head back to the parking area.
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