Imagine a hiking trail that passes through two distinct climate zones, weaves through the largest remaining old-growth forest, and unlocks access to the base of the tallest waterfall in the Smoky Mountains.
This is what it’s like to hike to Ramsey Cascades, the most exciting and underrated waterfall hike in the Smokies.
As someone who has hiked dozens of miles of trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I can confidently say that Ramsey Cascades takes the cake as the best waterfall hike in the Smokies.
This detailed Ramsey Cascades trail guide (written by me, a local – hi!) contains everything you need to know about this wildly underrated waterfall and hiking trail, including when to hike it, what to bring, inside info on the crazy weather changes, and exactly what to expect on this trail from start to finish.
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 in the Smokies 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 (full itinerary here)
Ramsey Cascades Trail Guide: Smokies’ Tallest Waterfall
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Directions, Parking & Hours
Though Ramsey Cascades sits on the outskirts of the touristy town of Gatlinburg, its length and difficulty often deter casual hikers and visitors.
But those who are willing to put in the work and conquer the trail will reap a high reward: standing at the base of the tallest waterfall in the Smokies!
To get to the Ramsey Cascades trailhead from Gatlinburg, drive east on Highway 321 and turn right onto Greenbrier Road (across from the Hungry Bear BBQ #1).
The first mile of Greenbrier Road is paved. But once you pass the ranger station, the road narrows and turns to gravel. 4×4 isn’t required, but vehicles larger than pickup trucks are not recommended beyond this point.
About two miles past the ranger station, you’ll pass the Greenbrier Picnic Area on the left. Since there are no restrooms at the trailhead, you’ll want to stop here and use the vault toilets before your hike.
Once you’ve used the restroom, turn left out of the picnic area and then turn left in about a quarter-mile onto Ramsey Prong Road.
The trailhead and large gravel parking area are located at the end of the road, about 1.5 miles from the turn.
The Ramsey Cascades Trail is open and accessible 24/7, year-round. If the trail or roads leading up to it (Greenbrier Road or Ramsey Prong Road) have to close for some reason, it’ll be listed on the official NPS website. So check it before you go!
Know Before You Go
Dogs are not allowed on the Ramsey Cascades Trail. Dogs are only allowed on two trails in the entire national park: Gatlinburg Trail and Oconaluftee River Trail.
The reason dogs are not allowed on this trail, or most others in the park, is to help protect wildlife and preserve fragile plants and landscapes.
If you’re interested in bringing your dog into the Smokies, read my blog post to find out where dogs are allowed and what fun things you can do with your furbabies.
Parking tags are required. Since you will be parked inside the national park boundaries for more than 15 minutes, you are required to display a valid parking tag on your vehicle.
Parking tags are available for purchase online, in visitor centers, and at kiosks sprinkled throughout the park. The closest spot to this trail to purchase a parking tag is the Greenbrier Ranger Station.
Anyone who doesn’t display a parking tag will be fined and potentially towed. There’s a ranger station just 4 miles from the trailhead, so trust me, they’ll check!
There’s no cell service in the area. Once you pass the ranger station, cell service pretty much drops off. We didn’t have a signal for the entire hike, so make sure to download driving directions and trail maps ahead of time.
Please Leave No Trace when recreating outdoors. This area of the Smokies is extremely fragile, as it contains the largest remaining old-growth forest in the entire park.
Leave the trail, rivers, and waterfalls exactly as you find them. Please do not carve into the trees, do not move or stack rocks, and do not pluck wildflowers. And make sure to pack out all of your trash.
Bonus points if you bring a trash bag and pick up other hikers’ garbage along the way!
When to Hike to Ramsey Cascades
Ramsey Cascades is open and beautiful year-round, but there are some things you should know before you decide when to go!
First, the trailhead and waterfall are in different climates. The trailhead is around 2,000 feet above sea level, while Ramsey Cascades sits at about 4,200 feet above sea level.
As a result, the waterfall (and trail leading up to it) is subject to cooler temperatures and more unpredictable conditions. Not to mention, precipitation like snowfall and rainfall is more common up there than at the trailhead.
When we hiked to Ramsey in June, it was sunny and 80 degrees at the trailhead, but rainy and 60 degrees at the waterfall. A lot can change in 2,000+ feet of elevation gain, including the climate!
Be prepared for all types of weather by packing layers, such as a rain jacket and a puffy, even if conditions at the trailhead are warm, sunny, and dry. And bring microspikes for winter hikes, even if the trailhead is snow and ice-free.
Because chances are, conditions are significantly different up top!
Second, Ramsey Cascades typically maintains a good flow throughout most of the year. Many waterfalls turn into a trickle in the off-season, but Ramsey is usually flowing nicely year-round. The reason for this is that the waterfall is fed by streams at Mount Guyot, which receives about 6-8 inches of rain per month.
Note that the falls can freeze (at least partially) in the winter.
Finally, the rhododendrons on this trail are spectacular. They usually bloom in June in this area!
For the best overall conditions, I’d recommend hiking to Ramsey Cascades in June, July, or August. This will give you your best chance at decent weather, good trail conditions, flowing water, and blooming wildflowers!
What to Bring
Here are some things to bring for your day hike to Ramsey Cascades:
- Trekking poles – To help you navigate the elevation and rocky terrain
- 10 essentials – Don’t hike without packing these items
- Day pack – To store all of your essentials
- Lunch – To enjoy at the waterfall or along the river!
- Trash Bag – To pack out your trash (and others’ trash that you may find!)
Ramsey Cascades Trail Description
- Length: 7.9 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2,185 feet
- Type of Trail: Out & back
- Difficulty: Strenuous
The trail starts at the back of the parking lot, just behind the trailhead sign. While the path is extremely easy to follow, I’d recommend downloading offline maps ahead of time so you can see your progress as you hike. Get 30% off an AllTrails+ subscription with my code alexysabroad30.
Views are wildly scenic from the very beginning. Shortly after passing the trailhead, you’ll hear the thrashing river as you approach and cross the bridge that stretches across the Little Pigeon.
Glance over the edge to see tumbling waterfalls as far as the eye can see.
Once you cross the bridge, you’ll walk on a wide, gravel path. Because the path looks wide enough for a vehicle, I was not surprised to learn it was once a logging route before the national park was established.
While the path is spacious and isn’t as steep as later portions of the trail, it does steadily climb. There’s a tiny reprieve after 0.7 miles before it relentlessly ascends once again.
At the 1.5-mile mark, you’ll notice that the trail becomes narrower, rockier, steeper, and more uneven. Gentle, graded gravel transforms to root-filled paths, rocky steps, and bridges. This is where the old gravel roadway ends and the real adventure begins.
If you’re ready for lunch, I spied some great riverside spots behind the sign pictured below. If not, keep pushing forward!
At the 2-mile mark, you’ll reach a long bridge, pictured below. If you’re scared of heights, try not to look down as you’re crossing it!
Due to how scenic, open, and bright it was, we ended up choosing this spot to eat lunch at on the way back. There are several nice private spots tucked away from the trail and along the river. While we ate, we took off our socks and shoes and soaked our sore, sweaty feet in the cool, clear pools. It felt luxurious!
After crossing the bridge, you’ll dive right back into the dense forest. This is the largest old-growth forest remaining in the Smokies, home to some of the oldest trees in the entire park.
Take the time to glance up and around, and notice all of the massive trunks that have been standing for hundreds of years.
At mile 2.5, you’ll come across this behemoth of a tree! (Pictured below) You probably won’t be able to resist wrapping your arms around it and giving it a big hug!
The trail becomes more and more scenic as it continues to travel up in elevation and follow a branch of the Ramsey Prong. The scenery is a good distraction from the relentless climb.
As you weave through the forest, the sounds of the water crescendo and decrescendo. Listening to nature’s peaceful soundtrack on an endless loop was one of my favorite parts of the hike!
Make sure to appreciate the trail’s new makeover as you’re hiking! Thanks to the Trails Forever program, the trail is now safer and easier to travel.
Sparkly new footbridges, steps, handrails, and decking were constructed to ensure hikers’ safety, while hazards were removed and vegetation was pruned to protect the fragile landscape.
The last quarter of a mile or so is the trickiest in terms of terrain. Not only is it steep, but it’s very rocky. You’ll have to scramble up rock steps and cross an unbridged river with jumbo boulders.
If it’s raining during your hike, like it was for ours, the rock steps transform into a waterfall, making the stretch even more treacherous.
It felt like we were walking through a river. Not only was water racing down the mountain through the trail, but it was also pooling in crevices between the rock steps. Pockets of deep water mixed with moving water created a spicy concoction. It was exciting, but it made everything extra dicey! Make sure to proceed with caution if this happens to you!
At the 4-mile mark, Ramsey Cascades finally comes into view. You’ve made it to the tallest waterfall in the Smokies! See? Totally worth the climb for this view.
While it may be tempting to creep closer to the falls, don’t venture too far out. Avoid getting too close to the waterfall, and don’t climb the ledges, as the current is strong and the boulders are extremely slippery.
Even without rain, the area is slippery and dangerous from the waterfall’s spray. In fact, a sign was posted by the falls, warning hikers that four people have drowned here as a result of swimming or scrambling.
Once you’ve enjoyed the jaw-dropping view and are ready to head back, turn around and retrace your steps to get back to the trailhead.
As I mentioned before, there are some great spots to have lunch along the river if you don’t end up eating by the falls!
Ramsey Cascades FAQs
Are There River Crossings at Ramsey Cascades?
Yes, the trail crosses the river over a dozen times. Some have footbridges, while others just have rocks to cross over.
Depending on the time of year, the crossings could be flooded or impassable.
Either way, your boots/shoes will likely get wet!
How Difficult is the Ramsey Cascades Trail?
Very difficult! This strenuous trail gains about 2,185 feet of elevation in just 4 miles.
How Tall Is Ramsey Cascades?
100 feet. It’s the tallest waterfall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
NOTE: Many people often think 120-foot Mingo Falls is the tallest waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains, but Mingo Falls is not in the park – it’s on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. So, Ramsey Cascades is the tallest waterfall in the Smokies!
How Long Does It Take to Hike to Ramsey Cascades?
This is largely dependent on factors like conditions, speed, and number of stops, but expect to spend 4-6 hours hiking the trail.
For reference, it took us about 5 hours total. This included stops for snacks, lunch, and waterfall viewing. Due to rain, we pretty much ran the two miles from the waterfall to our lunch spot at the halfway point.
Finish Planning Your Trip to the Smokies
No matter which season you’ll be visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I’ve got guides to help you plan your trip!
- Smoky Mountains in the Winter
- Smoky Mountains in the Spring
- Smoky Mountains in the Summer
- Smoky Mountains in the Fall
Looking for more great Smokies hikes? Below are some of my faves:
- Mount Cammerer
- Meigs Creek Trail (+ The Sinks!)
- Laurel Falls Trail
- Mount LeConte
- Mouse Creek Falls + Midnight Hole
- Spruce Flats Falls
Discover Your Next Adventure
Where to next? I’ve got some suggestions!
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