My Experience Hiking Rainbow Falls
Last December, I had the chance to hike Rainbow Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and it did not disappoint! There's a good reason that the Smokies are one of the most visited parks in the United States.
One of my favorite parts about the Smoky Mountain National Park and East Tennessee is that the weather can be great year-round. The park is also full of waterfalls, plants, and wildlife. You might find perfect weather during your trip too. So, what’s it like hiking in Rainbow Falls?
What to Expect When Hiking Rainbow Falls
After you drive up and find a parking spot, you'll find well-maintained restrooms open before you hit the trail. The trail is roughly 5 miles with a mild elevation gain. The trails were well maintained, with a little brush covering the trail. Rainbow Falls can be one of the busiest parks in the Smokies, so I would recommend arriving early before 8:30 am.
The rivers alongside the trail are gorgeous. You'll hear the comforting sounds of softly flowing water and see green moss-covered rocks and small waterfalls leading up to Rainbow Falls. There are a few side trails you can walk down to get closer to the river. I enjoyed taking pictures at one of the river areas below.
Once you’ve got less than half a mile left to reach Rainbow Falls, you’ll find a small waterfall along the trail. This waterfall is a gorgeous highlight in and of itself. When we were there, we found ice surrounding the falls, and it was a perfect spot to grab a bite to eat before trekking onto Rainbow Falls. This mini waterfall is also less busy than Rainbow Falls, so it’s also a great spot to get pictures at a less busy spot before heading up to Rainbow Falls.
You’ll know immediately when you make it to Rainbow Falls—the waterfall can easily be seen from a distance due to its impressive height. You can hike up fairly close to the falls, but be careful not to get too close since the rocks can be slick. We were able to see snow and ice sickles surrounding the falls since we were there in December, which gave Rainbow Falls a wintery look.
Overall, Rainbow Falls is a remarkable spot to hike year round. With the elevation gain not being too notable and the difficulty being easy to moderate, you’ll find all the magic you’re looking for nearby Gatlinburg right here.
Are You Visiting Rainbow Falls?
What do you think? Share your thoughts on Rainbow Falls below. I enjoyed this hike so much that I even made a shirt to commemorate the gorgeous Smoky Mountain river we saw during the hike. If you’re interested, you can check out the Smoky Mountain Rivers T-Shirt here.
