Deep Creek Waterfall Loop: 3 Waterfalls in 2 Miles!

The Deep Creek Waterfall Loop is a 2.4-mile section of the Deep Creek Trail on the North Carolina side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Featuring three gorgeous waterfalls, this is one of the best easy trails in the Smokies!

indian creek falls on deep creek waterfall loop

In this guide, I’m going to share everything you need to know about the Deep Creek Waterfall Loop, including where to park, when to hike it, what to expect along the route, things to do nearby, and more!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on the links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own. Thanks so much for your support!

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK AT A GLANCE

Before diving in, here are a few highlights for planning a trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Getting There: The closest airport to Great Smoky Mountains is McGhee Tyson, which is about 1 hour and 15 minutes from the Sugarlands Visitor Center. Find affordable flights here.
Entrance Fee: No entrance fee but you do have to purchase and display a parking pass.
Where to Stay: Camp in the park or stay right outside the park in the town of Gatlinburg, Townsend, or Cherokee. Read my Where to Stay guide here!
How to Get Around: You’ll need to rent a personal vehicle to get around the Smokies.
Best Time to Visit: March – October
How Long to Visit: 3-5 days (Click here for my ultimate itinerary!)

Table of Contents

Deep Creek Waterfall Loop: 3 Waterfalls in 2 Miles!

juney whank falls on deep creek waterfall loop

Parking Info & Fees

Parking is located at the end of W Deep Creek Road.

From Bryson City, NC, head into the park via W Deep Creek Road. You’ll pass the campground entrance and picnic area before the road dead-ends at the main trailhead parking area. (Note that you can also access the parking area from the east via Tom Branch Road. You’ll arrive at the parking area just after crossing the bridge).

The main parking area only holds about 50 vehicles, but there is more parking available at the picnic area. A walking trail connects the picnic area to the main parking area.

Parking Tag

To park at Deep Creek (or anywhere in Great Smoky Mountains National Park), you need to display a parking tag on your vehicle’s dashboard.

The closest kiosk to purchase a parking tag near the Deep Creek Waterfall Loop is at the Deep Creek Campground.

You can read my full guide on the Smokies parking tag program here.

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed on the Deep Creek Trail!

Dogs are only allowed on two hiking trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park: the Gatlinburg Trail (located behind the Sugarlands Visitor Center) and the Oconaluftee River Trail (located behind the Oconaluftee Visitor Center).

If you’re looking for dog-friendly things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, check out my guide!

When to Hike the Deep Creek Waterfall Loop

The best time of year to hike the Deep Creek Waterfall Loop is late spring when the waterfalls are flowing at full volume.

Summer is the most popular season to hike this trail because this stretch of Deep Creek is also an exciting tubing route. So if you go in the summer, prepare for crowds!

Getting to the Deep Creek Trailhead

From the main parking area: On the northeast end of the parking lot, you’ll see an unloading zone for tubers. The trailhead is located to the left of this parking area.

From the picnic area: On the northeast end of the picnic area lot, you’ll see a path beyond the parking spaces. This path leads across a bridge and ends at the main parking lot. The trailhead is located to the left of the unloading zone parking.

There are flush toilets at the picnic area!

Deep Creek Waterfall Loop Trail Description

Length: 2.4 miles
Type of Trail: Loop
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 426 feet
Pet-Friendly: No
Trailhead Location: Google Maps link

The Deep Creek trailhead is on the northeast end of the main Deep Creek parking lot.

You can take the trail in either direction, but for the sake of this guide, I’ll take you counterclockwise.

From the Deep Creek trailhead, you’ll only have to hike about 0.2 miles before coming to the first waterfall, Tom Branch Falls. If you go in the summer, you’ll probably see many tubers milling around it.

There are benches and big boulders beside the creek for those who want to hang out. But don’t worry; there are many other quieter places to enjoy the water further down the trail!

When you’re ready, continue past the falls. You’ll soon cross a bridge. This is one of the spots where tubers go in.

And in less than a half-mile, you’ll reach a junction.

sign for indian creek falls on deep creek waterfall loop

Turn right on the Indian Creek Trail to get to Indian Creek Falls. You won’t have to hike far – the falls will be down a set of wooden stairs to the left of the trail in about 200 feet.

Once you’re ready to continue on the loop, take the Indian Creek Trail back down to the junction and turn right to hop back on the Deep Creek Trail.

sign for no tubing beyond this point on deep creek waterfall loop

Past Indian Creek Falls, the crowds dwindle. The little river hideaways become quieter and more scenic. Find a spot in the water to claim as your own and enjoy the refreshing water!

(This one below might be my favorite).

Soon, you’ll come to another junction. Follow the signs for the Deep Creek Horse Trail (to the left). This next 0.5-mile section is the most difficult section of the trail – you’ll climb almost 400 feet.

About a half-mile past the “difficult” stretch, the Deep Creek Horse Trail will come to a T at the Juney Whank Falls loop. Turn right and then immediately veer left. Follow the signs for Juney Whank Falls.

sign for juney whank falls on deep creek waterfall loop

Since you’re nearing the end of the loop, the crowds trickle back in (if you’re visiting in the summer).

Soon, Juney Whank Falls comes into view! The falls are directly beside the wooden bridge.

Then you’ll continue past the falls to complete the waterfall loop. In about 0.3 miles, the trail will end at the parking lot.

FAQs About the Deep Creek Waterfall Loop

What Are the Three Waterfalls in Deep Creek?

The three waterfalls on the Deep Creek Waterfall Loop are Tom Branch Falls, Indian Creek Falls, and Juney Whank Falls.

(Pictured in order below)

Can You Swim Off the Deep Creek Trail?

Yes! There are many spots to swim along the Deep Creek Trail. This spot below might be my favorite! It’s near the Indian Creek Trail junction.

Can You Tube Off the Deep Creek Trail?

Yes! There are two tubing routes off the Deep Creek Trail.

One is the adventurous route – the intense rapids will likely separate you from your tube. This route begins about 0.7 miles from the Deep Creek trailhead, near the Indian Creek Trail junction. Note that you are not allowed to put your tube in beyond this point – there is a sign that reminds you of this rule. From this point, you can then tube back down to the trailhead parking lot or the picnic area.

Next is the “lazier” route – calmer rapids but still exciting. This route begins just beyond the first bridge on the Deep Creek Trail (about 0.4 miles from the Deep Creek trailhead). You can tube back to the trailhead parking lot or the picnic area.

Leave No Trace

As always, respect the landscape by packing your trash out. NEVER litter.

Always follow these 7 Leave No Trace Principles:

Plan Ahead & Prepare
Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces
Dispose of Waste Properly
Leave What You Find
Minimize Campfire Impacts
Respect Wildlife
Be Considerate of Others

Read more about Leave No Trace and how you can do your part to protect these natural spaces here.

Things to Do Near the Deep Creek Waterfall Loop

girl floating down deep creek next to tom branch falls

Go River Tubing on Deep Creek

One of the best things to do in the Deep Creek area is river tubing! And you can do it right from the Deep Creek Trail.

There are two tubing routes off the Deep Creek Trail.

One is the adventurous route, which begins about 0.7 miles from the Deep Creek trailhead, near the Indian Creek Trail junction. Note that you are not allowed to put your tube in beyond this point – there is a sign that reminds you of this rule. From there, you can then tube back down to the trailhead parking lot or the picnic area.

Next is the “lazier” route, which begins just beyond the first bridge on the Deep Creek Trail (about 0.4 miles from the Deep Creek trailhead). You can tube back to the trailhead parking lot or the picnic area.

See Mingo Falls

Just 15 miles from the Deep Creek Trail, just outside of the National Park, is Mingo Falls, a 120-foot waterfall! And you can access it via a semi-steep 0.4-mile roundtrip hike.

Drive the Tail of the Dragon

The Tail of the Dragon is one of the most famous motorcycle and sports car roads in America. Sandwiched between the Great Smoky Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest, this 11-mile road contains a staggering 318 hairpin curves.

This route begins roughly 45 miles from the Deep Creek Trail.