Hiking Project Logo
Climb
MTB
Hike
Trailrun
Ski
Limited Time70% OffonX Backcountry

Laurel Falls to Cove Mountain Fire Tower

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 3.9 (29)
  1. Areas
  2. NC
  3. …West and Mountains
  4. …Great Smoky Mountains National Park
  5. Elkmont
Explore in 3D
Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Previous Next

“A great hike past a popular waterfall followed by a peaceful climb to a remote fire tower. ”

David Hitchcock
Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Google Map
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

8.4

Miles

13.4

KM

Out and Back

4,055' 1,236 m

High

2,291' 698 m

Low

1,781' 543 m

Up

1,781' 543 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (5°)

24%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Family Friendly The first 1.1 miles of the trail are paved, with a moderate climb. An out and back to Laurel Falls is a hike that the whole family can enjoy while older kids might enjoy venturing further.

Closed when the Little River Road is closed from the Townsend Y to Sugarlands Visitor Center. For park road conditions, information can be found at twitter.com/smokiesroadsnps or by calling (865) 436-1200 and dialing extension 2, 2.

Overview

Laurel Falls is one of the more popular waterfalls in the park, and the trail to this point can be a bit crowded, but the falls are worth the hike to see them. Past the falls is some of the beautiful, quiet hiking that the Smokies are known for. It is definitely recommended that you extend your hike if you have time for a day trip up to the Cove Mountain Fire Tower.

Description

From the Sugarlands Visitor Center, go 3.8 miles on the Little River Road. The main parking lot for Laurel Falls is on both sides of the road at the trailhead, with additional parking in lots on either side of the gap. From the Townsend "Y" intersection, take the Little River Road 13.7 miles to the Laurel Falls Trailhead.

As you start from the parking lot, follow the paved trail to Laurel Falls, an 80-foot waterfall that offers great photo opportunities, despite the number of people who will probably be there. The first portion of the Laurel Falls Trail is one of the most popular trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park due to it being paved, having only 300 feet of elevation gain, and a rewarding view of 80-foot Laurel Falls about 1.1 miles into the trail.

Once you have taken all of your photos, continue on the trail up the hill. This is the beginning of your 2.9-mile climb to the top of Cove Mountain, and once you pass the falls, you'll have a relatively quiet hike in the woods to the top of Cove Mountain. At Cove Mountain there is an old fire tower that now serves as an air quality monitoring station with limited views into Wears Valley, an area outside of the park.

You'll wind through a quiet forest, some areas which were not heavily logged by the various lumber companies in the early 1900s. About three miles into the trail, you'll find the intersection of the Little Greenbrier Trail, which you can take down to the Little Greenbrier School and Metcalf Bottoms via the Little Brier Gap Trail.

Continuing on the Laurel Falls Trail for another 0.9 miles, you end up at the intersection of the Cove Mountain Trail. Turn left up the hill to the Cove Mountain Fire Tower. This is a great place to grab a snack or have lunch before returning to your car via the path you came.

Flora & Fauna

Mountain laurel around the falls.

Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Shared By:

David Hitchcock
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.9 from 29 votes

#3

in Elkmont

#845

Overall
  3.9 from 29 votes
5 Star
34%
4 Star
38%
3 Star
17%
2 Star
3%
1 Star
7%
Recommended Route Rankings

#3

in Elkmont

#22

in North Carolina

#845

Overall
47 Views Last Month
5,854 Since Aug 4, 2016
Intermediate Intermediate
8%
4%
60%
8%
20%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Hike the popular 2.3 mile roundtrip trail to reach the 80 foot Laurel Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The falls is broken up in an upper and lower section with a narrow bridge cutting across. This photo is shot at the bottom of the lower section of the falls.
Apr 7, 2016 near Gatlinburg, TN
Laurel Falls by Smoky Moments Photography. Please don't attempt to climb on and around the falls. Several people have been seriously hurt falling on the slippery surfaces.
Oct 5, 2017 near Gatlinburg, TN
Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Laurel Falls
Jan 21, 2016 near Gatlinburg, TN
Vista on Laurel Falls Trail. Overlooking The Smoky Mountains.
Nov 24, 2015 near Gatlinburg, TN
View over the Smokies.
Mar 25, 2018 near Gatlinburg, TN
Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Laurel Falls.
Aug 4, 2016 near Gatlinburg, TN

0 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Aug 21, 2021
Carrie Braden Bright
Had lake with me
Jun 13, 2021
Christopher Leturno
Mar 20, 2021
Jeff Kuban
Jan 2, 2021
Jared Jennings
Oct 1, 2020
Matthew Ertel
Jun 23, 2020
Matt Musser
Jan 24, 2020
Karen Turner
13h 35m
Oct 13, 2019
Jackie Brem
Nice starter hike 2.6mi — 9h 00m

Nearby Recommended Routes

Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started