Ramsey Cascades Trail Hiking Guide

Ramsey Cascades is the tallest waterfall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a 105-foot falls at the end of a demanding day hike from Greenbrier. The trail starts easy on an old roadbed and ends as a narrow, rocky climb through old-growth forest. It is a full day, and a good one.

permit requiredno dogs
Difficulty
hard
Distance
8 mi
Elevation gain
2,185 ft
Trailhead
Gatlinburg
105-foot Ramsey Cascades, the park's tallest waterfallold-growth cove hardwood forestfootlog bridges and stream crossings
springsummerfall

Permit: Park at the Ramsey Cascades trailhead only with a valid Great Smoky Mountains parking tag displayed (needed for any stay over 15 minutes): $5 daily, $15 weekly or $40 annual. Tags are sold at Greenbrier Grocery and from a machine at the Greenbrier Ranger Station. There is no entrance fee.

Eight Miles, Two Thousand Feet

NPS and AllTrails agree on 8 miles round trip. For the climb, the park's trail page says more than 2,000 feet and its waterfalls page says more than 2,100; AllTrails puts it at about 2,185 feet. AllTrails estimates five to five and a half hours. The trail was rebuilt by the park's Trails Forever crew with Friends of the Smokies, a rehabilitation finished in 2024, but expect a steep, rugged trail all the same.

Roadbed, Then Rock

The first stretch follows an old roadbed through cove hardwood forest. Higher up the path narrows, turns rockier and crosses several streams and footlog bridges as it gains elevation. The park rates many sections steep, with roots and rocks underfoot. Turn around early if afternoon clouds start building; summer thunderstorms are common in the Smokies, and the upper trail is slow going in a downpour.

At the Cascades

Don't try to climb to the top: the park warns that the rock beside the falls is muddy and slippery, and its waterfalls page blames scrambling near falls for a long list of injuries. Find a dry rock at the base, eat lunch and save your legs for the descent.

Getting to Greenbrier

The trailhead is on Ramsey Prong Road in the park's Greenbrier section, reached from Gatlinburg. NPS warns of extreme crowding and limited parking and suggests a shuttle or an alternate hike, such as Hen Wallow Falls from Cosby. Restrooms are back at the Greenbrier Picnic Area. Buy your tag at Greenbrier Grocery or the ranger station machine on the way in if you don't already have one.

Bears

In April 2026 rangers closed Ramsey Prong Road and this trail after three bear incidents in one weekend: a bear took two backpacks from hikers, and another chased a group. The park says bears here have shown predatory behavior such as stalking, especially toward solo hikers. Hike with others, keep your pack on, give bears 50 yards or more and consider carrying bear spray. Dogs are not permitted.

Hiking tips for Ramsey Cascades Trail

  • Start early; you need most of a day and the trailhead lot fills.
  • Keep your backpack on at rest stops; bears here have taken unattended packs.
  • Never climb the cascades; the rock beside the falls is muddy and slick.
  • Carry plenty of water; the park suggests at least a liter for every two hours of hiking.
  • Pick up a parking tag at Greenbrier Grocery or the ranger station machine on the way in.

Nearby trails to explore

  • Porters Creek Trail (Greenbrier)
  • Hen Wallow Falls via Gabes Mountain Trail
  • Grotto Falls via Trillium Gap Trail

Hike this trail with TrailMates

Ramsey Cascades is a long climb to the tallest falls in the park. Use TrailMates to find hikers heading to Ramsey Cascades in the Smokies. Download the TrailMates app to connect.