10 beautiful Smoky Mountain waterfalls to put on your must-see list
Anna Ruby Falls is formed by the confluence of the York and Curtis rivers, which meet and create the Smith River. Prints of these beautiful photos are available in various sizes and media, including archival prints, acrylic prints, canvas gallery wraps and metal prints at https://shop.andycrawford.photography. (Andy Crawford Photography)
Water tumbles 65 feet over a tiered rock ledge to create beautiful Benton Falls in Tennessee’s Cherokee National Forest. The gorgeous waterfall is located at the end of an easy and well-trafficked trail, and is worth the visit. (Andy Crawford Photography)
Big Laurel Falls in the heart of the Nantahala National Forest is a beautiful multi-tiered waterfall about 30 minutes from Franklin, N.C. It shouldn’t be confused with Laurel Falls, which is located within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The waterfall is part of Big Laurel Creek upstream of its confluence with the Nantahala River and is well worth the 1.6-mile hike. (Andy Crawford Photography)
The gorgeous, tiered Conasauga Falls is tucked away in the Nantahala Mountains of Tennessee, but it’s well worth searching out. The waterfall is located near Tellico Plains and requires a short fairly easy hike. The payoff for the drive down the rough dirt road and hike is this beautiful scene. (Andy Crawford Photography)
Cullasaja Falls is surrounded by amazing fall foliage. The huge waterfall is located near Highlands, N.C., along the Cullasaja River and is a major stop along the scenic drive through this section of the Nantahala National Forest. (Andy Crawford Photography)
Reedy Cove Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls I’ve discovered in the South Carolina foothills. It’s literally in the middle of nowhere — perfect to get away from it all. The best news is that the hike to the 70-foot waterfall is a really easy 15-minute walk, ending in an elevated overlook. There also is a primitive trail to the foot of this double waterfall, but be aware that the rocks are extremely slippery and can be dangerous. It is not recommended, especially for young children. Plus, the best view really is from the overlook platform. I recommend packing a lunch and enjoying the peaceful roar of the waterfall for a while. How do you get there? The nearest town is Pickens, S.C. Take Brevard Highway north for about 12 miles, and turn left onto State Road 39-100 for a couple of miles, and then turn right on State Road 39-92 and then another right onto Water Falls Road (on Google Maps, it shows as Twin Falls Trail). You’ll probably wonder if you’re trespassing by driving down this one-lane dirt road, but just keep going until you reach the parking lot. (Andy Crawford Photography)
Top 10 Smoky Mountains Waterfalls
10 beautiful Smoky Mountain waterfalls to put on your must-see list
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Anna Ruby Falls is formed by the confluence of the York and Curtis rivers, which meet and create the Smith River. Prints of these beautiful photos are available in various sizes and media, including archival prints, acrylic prints, canvas gallery wraps and metal prints at https://shop.andycrawford.photography. (Andy Crawford Photography)
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Water tumbles 65 feet over a tiered rock ledge to create beautiful Benton Falls in Tennessee’s Cherokee National Forest. The gorgeous waterfall is located at the end of an easy and well-trafficked trail, and is worth the visit. (Andy Crawford Photography)
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Big Laurel Falls in the heart of the Nantahala National Forest is a beautiful multi-tiered waterfall about 30 minutes from Franklin, N.C. It shouldn’t be confused with Laurel Falls, which is located within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The waterfall is part of Big Laurel Creek upstream of its confluence with the Nantahala River and is well worth the 1.6-mile hike. (Andy Crawford Photography)
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The gorgeous, tiered Conasauga Falls is tucked away in the Nantahala Mountains of Tennessee, but it’s well worth searching out. The waterfall is located near Tellico Plains and requires a short fairly easy hike. The payoff for the drive down the rough dirt road and hike is this beautiful scene. (Andy Crawford Photography)
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Cullasaja Falls is surrounded by amazing fall foliage. The huge waterfall is located near Highlands, N.C., along the Cullasaja River and is a major stop along the scenic drive through this section of the Nantahala National Forest. (Andy Crawford Photography)
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Reedy Cove Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls I’ve discovered in the South Carolina foothills. It’s literally in the middle of nowhere — perfect to get away from it all. The best news is that the hike to the 70-foot waterfall is a really easy 15-minute walk, ending in an elevated overlook. There also is a primitive trail to the foot of this double waterfall, but be aware that the rocks are extremely slippery and can be dangerous. It is not recommended, especially for young children. Plus, the best view really is from the overlook platform. I recommend packing a lunch and enjoying the peaceful roar of the waterfall for a while. How do you get there? The nearest town is Pickens, S.C. Take Brevard Highway north for about 12 miles, and turn left onto State Road 39-100 for a couple of miles, and then turn right on State Road 39-92 and then another right onto Water Falls Road (on Google Maps, it shows as Twin Falls Trail). You’ll probably wonder if you’re trespassing by driving down this one-lane dirt road, but just keep going until you reach the parking lot. (Andy Crawford Photography)
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Several waterfalls are located along beautiful Rock Creek in the Smoky Mountains near Benton, Tennessee. We found the first two, which are seen here, but the others require more work because the trail is not well marked. However, these waterfalls, one that feeds the pool above large tiered falls, are easily accessible and absolutely stunning. (Andy Crawford Photography)
Tennessee’s Rutledge Falls sits just off the road near Tullahoma, and offers visitors a peaceful break. The tiered waterfall actually is on private land, but the landowner allows – even encourages – access. It’s worth the drive to sit and listen to the roar of the waterfall. This photo available for purchase as satin fine-art prints, satin metal prints, canvas gallery wraps and acrylic prints. (Andy Crawford Photography)
Triple Falls in the DuPont Recreational Forest is stunning. The triple waterfall is part of Little River that flows through the Smoky Mountains of western North Carolina and is located only about a quarter of a mile from the Hooker Falls Access Area parking lot. The trail is fairly steep, so it can be challenging, but it is worth the effort. (Andy Crawford Photography)
Soco Falls is one of the many waterfalls found in and around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Soco Falls is a twin waterfall that is less than 100 yards off North Carolina State Highway 19 between Cherokee, N.C., and Maggie Valley, N.C It is often overlooked, but is easily accessible via a boardwalk overlook. Getting to the bottom of the waterfall is relatively easy, although the path is steep and slippery. (Andy Crawford Photography)
