About Fern Branch Falls
Beyond Ramsey Cascades, Greenbrier offers easier options, such as the Porters Creek Trail, which leads to historic structures and a smaller waterfall, Fern Branch Falls. This trail is particularly beautiful in spring when wildflowers carpet the forest floor. The Greenbrier Picnic Area provides facilities for a relaxing meal by the river. The relative quiet of Greenbrier, especially on weekdays, makes it an excellent alternative for those seeking a peaceful hiking experience close to Gatlinburg without the crowds of more popular trailheads. Visitors should check the NPS website for any specific trail closures or conditions, especially regarding the Ramsey Cascades Trail, which can be affected by weather.
55. Ace Gap Trail: Cades Cove, 5.6 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 56. Backcountry Horse Camp Trails (various): Throughout park, designated for horses. [NPS] 57. Balsam Corner Trail: Balsam Mountain, 2.5 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 58. Bearpen Hollow Trail: Cataloochee, 1.8 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 59. Birch Spring Gap Trail: Cosby, 2.7 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 60. Bradley Fork Trail: Smokemont, 6.5 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 61. Brightwater Loop Trail: Deep Creek, 0.5 miles loop, Easy. [NPS] 62. Buckhorn Gap Trail: Greenbrier, 4.3 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 63. Cades Cove Nature Trail: Cades Cove Loop Road, 0.8 miles loop, Easy. [NPS] 64. Cataract Falls Trail: Sugarlands, 0.25 miles out-and-back, Easy. [NPS] 65. Charlies Bunion (via AT from Newfound Gap): Newfound Gap, 8 miles out-and-back, Strenuous. [NPS] 66. Chasteen Creek Trail: Smokemont, 2.2 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 67. Cherokee Orchard Road Trail (closed to vehicles): Gatlinburg, 3.4 miles one-way, Easy. [NPS] 68. Chestnut Branch Trail: Cosby, 2.0 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 69. Clingmans Dome Bypass Trail: Kuwohi, 0.5 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 70. Cold Spring Gap Trail: Cosby, 1.5 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 71. Cooper Road Trail: Cades Cove, 10.9 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 72. Cosby Nature Trail: Cosby Campground, 1.0 miles loop, Easy. [NPS] 73. Creek Walk Trail: Deep Creek, 0.5 miles loop, Easy. [NPS] 74. Deep Creek Horse Trail: Deep Creek, 5.0 miles loop, Moderate. [NPS] 75. Dry Sluice Gap Trail: Newfound Gap Road, 2.5 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 76. East Fork Trail: Cataloochee, 3.5 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 77. Ekaneetlee Gap Trail: Twentymile, 3.0 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 78. Firescald Ridge Trail: Cosby, 4.5 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 79. Flat Creek Trail: Cataloochee, 2.0 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 80. Fork Ridge Trail: Kuwohi, 4.9 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 81. Gatlinburg Bypass Trail: Gatlinburg, 2.5 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 82. Grotto Falls (via Trillium Gap Trail): Roaring Fork, 2.6 miles out-and-back, Moderate. [NPS] 83. Hazel Creek Trail: Fontana Lake (boat access), 15.3 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 84. High Rocks Trail: Cosby, 2.0 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 85. Hog Camp Gap Trail: Cataloochee, 3.5 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 86. Indian Grave Gap Trail: Cosby, 2.0 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 87. Jakes Creek Trail: Elkmont, 3.3 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 88. Kephart Prong Trail: Newfound Gap Road, 4.2 miles out-and-back, Moderate, historic CCC camp. [NPS] 89. Lead Cove Trail: Cades Cove, 1.8 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 90. Little Greenbrier Trail: Metcalf Bottoms, 3.0 miles one-way, Moderate, historic schoolhouse. [NPS] 91. Longstreet Trail: Elkmont, 1.0 miles loop, Easy. [NPS] 92. Lumber Ridge Trail: Sugarlands, 4.2 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 93. Manway Trail: Cosby, 2.0 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 94. Meigs Creek Trail: Little River Road, 3.2 miles loop, Moderate, multiple stream crossings. [NPS] 95. Middle Prong Trail: Tremont, 4.0 miles one-way, Moderate, multiple waterfalls. [NPS] 96. Mingus Creek Trail: Oconaluftee, 5.8 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 97. Miry Ridge Trail: Kuwohi, 5.0 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 98. Mount Sterling Trail: Big Creek, 5.7 miles one-way, Strenuous, fire tower. [NPS] 99. Old Sugarlands Trail: Sugarlands, 3.0 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 100. Panther Creek Trail: Twentymile, 2.0 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 101. Porters Creek Trail: Greenbrier, 3.7 miles one-way, Moderate, Fern Branch Falls. [NPS] 102. Road Prong Trail: Newfound Gap Road, 2.7 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 103. Rocky Top (via AT from Kuwohi): Kuwohi, 5.6 miles out-and-back, Strenuous. [NPS] 104. Roundtop Trail: Cosby, 2.0 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 105. Salt House Branch Trail: Cosby, 2.0 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 106. Smokemont Loop Trail: Smokemont Campground, 6.1 miles loop, Moderate. [NPS] 107. Spence Field (via Bote Mountain Trail): Cades Cove, 6.9 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 108. Sugarlands Ridge Trail: Sugarlands, 0.8 miles loop, Easy. [NPS] 109. Sweat Heifer Creek Trail: Newfound Gap Road, 4.5 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 110. Tricorner Knob (via AT): Various access, high elevation. [NPS] 111. Turkeypen Ridge Trail: Cosby, 3.0 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 112. West Prong Trail: Tremont, 2.0 miles one-way, Easy. [NPS] 113. Wolf Ridge Trail: Twentymile, 3.0 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS]
The falls
Fern Branch Falls is about 60 feet tall, flow: good, best after rain.. Reach it via a 2-mile moderate hike. In winter, ice hazards around the falls are common — use caution or visit in shoulder season. Photographers favor mid-morning..
Best time to visit
Flow: Good, best after rain.. Photography: Mid-morning.. Winter access may be restricted by ice or snow.
Getting there
From downtown Gatlinburg, head toward the park entrances at Sugarlands (Gatlinburg side) or Oconaluftee (Cherokee side). A "Park It Forward" parking tag is required anywhere inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park for stays over 15 minutes (daily $5 / weekly $15 / annual $40 via recreation.gov or park kiosks).
Know before you go
Carry more water than you expect to need. Mountain weather shifts fast — pack a rain layer and warm layer even in summer. Black bears are active throughout the park. Keep at least 50 yards of distance, make yourself visible, and never leave food unattended. Stay on marked trails to protect fragile ecosystems and avoid getting lost — cell coverage is poor. Swimming and climbing near waterfalls is dangerous. Hidden currents and slick rocks cause most fatal accidents in the park.
Where to stay nearby
Most visitors to Fern Branch Falls base out of Gatlinburg or the nearby GSMNP area. Cabins, hotels, and B&Bs are all well-represented. See the Stay22 map below for live availability and pricing.
Frequently asked questions
- How tall is Fern Branch Falls?
- Fern Branch Falls drops approximately 60 feet.
- How do I get to the waterfall?
- The falls are reached via a 2-mile moderate hike from the nearby trailhead.
- Is it safe to swim at the falls?
- No. Swimming, wading, and climbing near waterfalls in the Smokies is dangerous and often fatal. Hidden currents, slick algae, and submerged rocks cause most waterfall deaths in the park. Enjoy the view from designated lookouts.