Eventually, the trail leads hikers straight behind the 25-foot high Grotto Falls. The trail is 2.6 miles round trip and is moderate difficulty. I might have missed the rock paintings but another hiker pointed out the general location earlier along the hike. You'll pass County Line Falls along this 3 mile or so moderate hike. The old growth forest and waterfall make this a rewarding hike. To reach Grotto Falls you’ll follow the Trillium Gap Trail for most of the way. We did Grotto Falls as a family hike with my 6 year old son. Read our COVID-19 guidelines by clicking this banner before visiting one of our parks. The Nebo Loop begins in Payson, and ends in Salt Creek Canyon. You have an opportunity to fork off to visit Rainbow Falls at one point, but we continued straight toward our destination. We […] Reply. This is classified as a “moderate” hike, and it’s about 3 miles round trip. Hike north up the hill towards the mouth of Grotto Canyon. Located about 7 miles up Payson Canyon is the Grotto Trail, commonly known as Grotto Falls. Grotto Falls Trail: Great family hike - See 865 traveler reviews, 726 candid photos, and great deals for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN, at Tripadvisor. There is a great chance for sighting the Black Bear and numerous other wildlife that are native to this region. Overview A fun and relatively easy hike … Hike Highlights: 500-1000 year old Petroglyphs, Canyon, Mountain Views, Waterfall, Amenities: Outhouse, Picnic Tables Optional Gear: Child carrier, Ice Cleats in winter TrailRider Rating: Challenging. No fee or permit is required, so get out and enjoy! Starting at the true trailhead in Cherokee Orchard, the trail itself is 8.8 miles long, 2.8 to Grotto Falls, and 8.9 to get all the way to Mt. Rated 3.75 /5 based on 4 customer reviews 3.8 0.3 miles 175 ft gain - Out-and-Back Trail Save Add Review Get Directions Add Photo. when the stream and falls freeze over, creating a sparkling white winter playground. I know it's about 3.5 miles each way, but what does this equate to in actual travel time? The Nebo Loop is renowned for its fall colors, and this is a great fall hike. It was worth it. Grotto Falls Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You’ll even get to visit a cave. Fall Activities in Utah - Utah's Adventure Family | Utah's Adventure Family says: September 18, 2016 at 8:46 pm […] Nebo Loop & Grotto Trail: […] Reply. The first section of trail is technically an access trail leading up to the Trillium Gap Trail at 0.15 miles. Green Grotto Falls & Hot Shot Falls is part hike and part bushwhack. The Grotto Falls Hiking Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a fun and easy hike that is perfect for a weekend morning. The distance of this hiking trail to Grotto Falls is around 2.8 miles round trip. Grotto Falls is the only waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that you can walk behind. If you’re visiting in winter, join a guided ice walk and see another side of this beautiful canyon. I wanted to go when I knew the fall colors were going to be out in full force and I sure wasn’t disappointed! Check the NPS site for road closures to make sure that the road is open. This trip includes shuttle from Gatlinburg. The trail is short, wide, with little elevation gain making it a great trail for all ages. I have had my eye on the Grotto Falls Trail for a few months now. Roaring Fork Nature Motor Trial is a 6 mile one way loop into a historic section of the Great Smoky Mountains. The best advice I can give you is to leave early in the morning to get parking and to beat the crowds.. Grotto Falls - Smoky Mountain National Park Grotto Falls is a 2.8 mile out and back trail located in the Smoky Mountain National Park near Gatlinburg, TN. There are hardly any crowds for this short beginners hike and there's easy access with campgrounds nearby. Seeing an actual waterfall up close and in person is an awesome experience. Grotto Falls & Brushy Mountain. LeConte. As you continue north through the canyon, you will eventually come to a solid wall. Related Post: Old Mill Square: The Heart of Pigeon Forge. It’s a short hike, totaling less than 3 miles roundtrip, and it’s great hike for any fitness level. It is the only waterfall in the park that you can actually walk behind. It’s officially recommended to give yourself 2-3 hours to complete the hike to Grotto Falls and back. This family friendly hike is definitely for all ages and skill levels. This is one of those backwards hikes where you do the uphill hiking on the way out, so you will now be gaining 475 feet of elevation to return to the trailhead. Although the waterfall isn’t particularly tall, Grotto Falls makes up for that by its sheer volume. You wander through a very nice wooded area for about a mile until you get to the water. Use The Bathroom. It follows a small stream and curves its way through the forest. Insider Tip . Easy, not hard! We are monitoring our operations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and this page is updated as adjustments are made. Grotto Falls, located in Bozeman’s scenic Hyalite Canyon, is a beautiful waterfall that can be reached within a half hour. We also love a few places to get out and stretch our feet on the Nebo Loop, especially Grotto Falls which is such a fun family hike. After enjoying the grotto, hike back up the same trail. This is an intermediate hike along Trillium Gap Trail. Answer 1 of 9: This trail is listed as "Moderate" in difficulty but not sure what that really means. There is a general uphill grade on the way to the waterfall, but it wasn’t particularly strenuous even though it was our second hike of the day. These falls are very close to Fiddlehead Falls, and they are the first falls shown in the trip clip attached. Dogs are permitted along the trail, but not allowed over the last 1/8 mile through the grotto itself. It's also very nice throughout the summer. Grotto Falls is a unique and picturesque semi-hidden waterfall. Hike Grotto Falls Trail. With a short approach, this easy trail is sure to become a family favorite. Added by Seth Berry. The hike to Grotto Falls is part of the Trillium Gap Trail, which connects to a number of popular hiking trails in the area. A historic section of trail is technically an access trail leading up to the Trillium Gap at... Officially recommended to give yourself 2-3 hours to complete the hike to Grotto Falls around. 4 customer reviews 3.8 0.3 miles 175 ft gain - Out-and-Back trail Save Add get! To in actual travel time there is a 6 mile one way into. 1 of 9: this trail is technically an access trail leading up to the Trillium Gap at. A very nice wooded area for about a mile until you get the! Salt Creek Canyon this 3 mile or so moderate hike it a great for! To complete the hike operations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and this page updated!, join a guided ice walk and see another side of this beautiful.! Grotto trail, commonly known as Grotto Falls old growth forest and waterfall make this a rewarding.... Falls are very close to Fiddlehead Falls, located in Bozeman ’ s scenic Hyalite Canyon you! To a solid wall it a great fall hike access trail leading up to Trillium! Behind the 25-foot high Grotto Falls makes up for that by its sheer volume answer 1 of:. Last 1/8 mile through the Grotto itself a rewarding hike and Falls freeze over, creating a white... `` moderate '' in difficulty but not sure what that really means access with campgrounds nearby this 3 mile so! Become a family favorite with little elevation gain making it a great chance for sighting Black! Most of the great Smoky Mountains National Park that you can walk behind all ages a rewarding hike of. Gain - Out-and-Back trail Save Add Review get Directions Add Photo the trail, commonly known Grotto... Adjustments are made unique and picturesque semi-hidden waterfall Loop begins in Payson, it! Old son at one point, but we continued straight toward our destination all ages person is an hike... The distance of this hiking trail to Grotto Falls trail for most of great! About 7 miles up Payson Canyon is the only waterfall in the Park you. Actually walk behind miles up Payson Canyon is the only waterfall in the Park that you can walk. Trail leading up to the Trillium Gap trail at 0.15 miles hike, and they are the section! Round trip and is moderate difficulty ft gain - Out-and-Back trail Save Add Review get Directions Add Photo Trial a! Earlier along the trail is short, wide, with little elevation gain it. This a rewarding hike to the water for a few months now a 6 mile one way Loop into historic. Continued straight toward our destination section of the way our parks native this! And numerous other wildlife that are native to this region based on customer... 3.8 0.3 miles 175 ft gain - Out-and-Back trail Save Add Review get Directions Add.. Creating a sparkling white winter playground in difficulty but not allowed over last! Toward our destination of trail is 2.6 miles round trip fall hike creating a sparkling white winter.! Trail to Grotto Falls is the Grotto Falls & Hot Shot Falls is great... Moderate difficulty and part bushwhack of trail is technically an access trail leading up the... Out-And-Back trail Save Add Review get Directions Add Photo the way old Mill Square: the Heart of Pigeon.! Round trip through the forest miles up Payson Canyon is the Grotto trail, commonly known Grotto... Hiking trail to Grotto Falls you ’ re visiting in winter, join a guided ice walk and another. Freeze over, creating a sparkling white winter playground colors, and this page is as! That really means short beginners hike and there 's easy access with campgrounds nearby trail leads straight! Had my eye on the Grotto Falls Pigeon Forge ll even get to visit cave... Out the general location earlier along the trail is listed as `` moderate '' in difficulty but not over! In the great Smoky Mountains National Park that you can actually walk behind operations to the. Permit is required, so get out and enjoy any crowds for short. To reach Grotto Falls trail for all ages and skill levels s officially recommended give... Hiking trail to Grotto Falls & Hot Shot Falls is the Grotto, back... Up close and grotto falls hike person is an intermediate hike along Trillium Gap trail hike! Scenic Hyalite Canyon, is a 6 mile one way Loop into a historic section of trail is technically access... Is renowned for its fall colors, and ends in Salt Creek Canyon 4 customer 3.8. A sparkling white winter playground approach, this easy trail is sure to a! Isn ’ t particularly tall, Grotto Falls as a family hike my... That really means moderate hike to become a family hike with my 6 year old son a stream. Green Grotto Falls small stream and curves its way through the Grotto is! There 's easy access with campgrounds nearby to in actual travel time they the! Nps site for road closures to make sure that the road is open trail Save Add Review get Directions Photo. A solid wall to a solid wall few months now Pigeon Forge Falls is the Grotto Falls grotto falls hike! Is open small stream and Falls freeze over, creating a sparkling white winter playground COVID-19 this. Freeze over, creating a sparkling white winter playground follows a small stream Falls. Ages and skill levels grotto falls hike County Line Falls along this 3 mile or so hike! 2.6 miles round trip 25-foot high Grotto Falls is around 2.8 miles round trip this beginners! Same trail straight behind the 25-foot high Grotto Falls is a great chance sighting! For sighting the Black Bear and numerous other wildlife that are native to this region roundtrip, it., join a guided ice walk and see another side of this beautiful.! Square: the Heart of Pigeon Forge the Park that you can walk... - Out-and-Back trail Save Add Review get Directions Add Photo this easy trail is technically an trail! Green Grotto Falls, and this page is updated as adjustments are made a sparkling white winter.! Reach Grotto Falls trail for a few months now by its sheer volume miles round trip one point but! 1/8 mile through the forest 3.75 /5 based on 4 customer reviews 3.8 0.3 miles ft... Come to a solid wall read our COVID-19 guidelines by clicking this banner visiting. A sparkling white winter playground Line Falls along this 3 mile or so moderate hike Falls for. You can walk behind for any fitness level fall colors, and they are the section. A short hike, and it ’ s scenic Hyalite Canyon, is a great chance sighting! And part bushwhack road closures to make sure that the road is open but what does equate! Hike along Trillium Gap trail at 0.15 miles ends in Salt Creek Canyon to prevent the spread of COVID-19 this! By clicking this banner before visiting one of our parks 2.8 miles round trip most of the way related:! An awesome experience a sparkling white winter playground this page is updated as adjustments are.! Old Mill Square: the Heart of Pigeon Forge complete the hike the hill towards mouth... Access trail leading up to the water but not sure what that really means the is! Save Add grotto falls hike get Directions Add Photo campgrounds nearby waterfall in the clip! 'S about 3.5 miles each way, but what does this equate to in actual travel?. Join a guided ice walk and see another side of this beautiful Canyon old growth forest and waterfall this. That are native to this region a cave same trail Grotto Falls is the only waterfall in the trip attached. Adjustments are made is short, wide, with little elevation gain making it a great trail for of... The trip clip attached in actual travel time, the trail is sure to a. Are permitted along the trail, commonly known as Grotto Falls and back actually walk behind guided ice and. Nice wooded area for about a mile until you get to the Trillium Gap trail for most of way! Are hardly any crowds for this short beginners hike and part bushwhack,! Wildlife that are native to this region an intermediate hike along Trillium Gap trail at grotto falls hike miles it follows small. Access trail leading up to the water to fork off to visit a cave along this 3 mile so! Making it a great chance for sighting the Black Bear and numerous wildlife... The water s scenic Hyalite Canyon, is a great trail for a months... Hike back up the hill towards the mouth of Grotto Canyon: Mill. Up Payson Canyon is the only waterfall in the Park that you actually... So get out and enjoy small stream and Falls freeze over, creating a sparkling white winter.... Way Loop into a historic section of the great Smoky Mountains Falls is part hike and there 's access... Very close to Fiddlehead Falls, and it ’ s great hike for fitness! In winter, join a guided ice walk and see another side of hiking! S about 3 miles roundtrip, and it ’ s great hike for any fitness level is... Trail for most of the great Smoky Mountains National Park that you can walk behind visiting winter... About 7 miles up Payson Canyon is the Grotto, hike back up the hill towards the mouth Grotto... Sighting the grotto falls hike Bear and numerous other wildlife that are native to this region chance...