Spruce Flats Falls
Spruce Flats Falls
5

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  • jgarrett2000
    Franklin, Tennessee26 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great natural hike through nature.
    I am 69 year old male, and made the hike to Spruce Flats Falls with mt family/grand daughters,10,11,and 15 years old. I highly recommend that you be in good shape to make the trek, because of steep grads. Uneven trail, and rocky/roots, high stepping that is required. Take water/protein bars. WE made a number of stops to catch our breath, and hydrate, but the final decent and finally being at the Falls will always be remembered as one of my favorite days of my life.
    Visited June 2023
    Written 22 June 2023
  • Sandy C
    United States29 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Tougher than expected, but doable, and the view was worth it!
    Some friends of ours invited us on the hike and told us it was ranked “easy”. They made it about half way up and turned around and went back. My husband and I continued the journey and it was well worth it. The view was amazing and I am so glad we did the hike! When we got back to the visitor center and read the sign, it was marked “moderate” and “moderate plus”, our friends read the sign wrong. Keep in mind the terrain is very rocky and lots of tree roots, and parts of it is narrow with a steep drop off. Anyone with mobility issues may have difficulty.
    Visited July 2023
    Written 14 July 2023
  • rebsarina
    Houston, Texas1 contribution
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Terrific first hike in the Smokies, to a lovely waterfall
    The falls at the end of the trail are an excellent reward—well worth the hike! The reason I don’t give it five stars is that there are lots of roots and some areas where footing gets unsure. Still a great way to kick off our time in the Smokies! The Tremont center is at the trailhead. It was not open when we started our hike at 8am, but it was opening as we returned at 10am, and we were thrilled to use their bathroom, pick up a park map and get a little AC. We did not see any wildlife.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 15 July 2023
  • GARY F
    Belleville, Michigan1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Well worth the hike!
    Took this hike by myself, 72 y/o, and made it fine. I would definitely recommend decent shoes, no flip-flops as there are numerous roots and rocks that you will have to navigate but it is very doable. Some narrow spots and when you reach the peak of the trail, you do get some good scenery photos. The toughest part is really the last 100 yards or so down to the falls. Of course you have to come back up. I made it even with a history of back issues. Take your time. It will take you approx 2 hours to go and come back. But as I have reiterated from prior reviews, it is a good hike and well worth it in the end. No crowds like Laurel or Grotto. On my way back ran into another party who had seen a momma bear and her cub down the revine. But I missed her. Go and enjoy. You will enjoy it.
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 5 August 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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GARY F
Belleville, MI1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Solo
Took this hike by myself, 72 y/o, and made it fine. I would definitely recommend decent shoes, no flip-flops as there are numerous roots and rocks that you will have to navigate but it is very doable. Some narrow spots and when you reach the peak of the trail, you do get some good scenery photos. The toughest part is really the last 100 yards or so down to the falls. Of course you have to come back up. I made it even with a history of back issues. Take your time. It will take you approx 2 hours to go and come back. But as I have reiterated from prior reviews, it is a good hike and well worth it in the end. No crowds like Laurel or Grotto. On my way back ran into another party who had seen a momma bear and her cub down the revine. But I missed her. Go and enjoy. You will enjoy it.
Written 5 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

rebsarina
Houston, TX1 contribution
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Family
The falls at the end of the trail are an excellent reward—well worth the hike! The reason I don’t give it five stars is that there are lots of roots and some areas where footing gets unsure. Still a great way to kick off our time in the Smokies! The Tremont center is at the trailhead. It was not open when we started our hike at 8am, but it was opening as we returned at 10am, and we were thrilled to use their bathroom, pick up a park map and get a little AC. We did not see any wildlife.
Written 15 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sandy C
United States29 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023
Some friends of ours invited us on the hike and told us it was ranked “easy”. They made it about half way up and turned around and went back. My husband and I continued the journey and it was well worth it. The view was amazing and I am so glad we did the hike! When we got back to the visitor center and read the sign, it was marked “moderate” and “moderate plus”, our friends read the sign wrong. Keep in mind the terrain is very rocky and lots of tree roots, and parts of it is narrow with a steep drop off. Anyone with mobility issues may have difficulty.
Written 14 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jgarrett2000
Franklin, TN26 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023
I am 69 year old male, and made the hike to Spruce Flats Falls with mt family/grand daughters,10,11,and 15 years old. I highly recommend that you be in good shape to make the trek, because of steep grads. Uneven trail, and rocky/roots, high stepping that is required. Take water/protein bars. WE made a number of stops to catch our breath, and hydrate, but the final decent and finally being at the Falls will always be remembered as one of my favorite days of my life.
Written 22 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ellyn R
Oxford, AL21 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Couples
This was a good moderate to hard hike. There were a lot of rocks to climb toward the end, going down to the base of the falls. It was a mile out and a mile back. The falls were well worth the pain!
Written 18 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jos Sie
37 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Family
Spruce Flat Falls
June 12, 2023 Monday.
It’s a short trail 1.4 miles took us 2 hours to get there and back. Very beautiful and calming falls. We had our 8 year old son and we kinda a little bit scared for him, but he enjoyed the falls and the trail was not hard for him to walk, he was actually talking the whole time while going uphill in which my husband and I were out of breath . Our two teenager sons walked really fast on the trail.
I recommend this trail for a peaceful walks on the mountain. You have to purchase a $5 parking ticket for a day in the information center located at the parking 🅿️ lot.
Written 15 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dawn H
Florida86 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022 • Couples
4 of us, all between 60-70 hiked this. Online said it was a moderate trail with some challenging sections. We’re not mountain trail climbers but wanted to experience the Smoky Mountains and a waterfall while traveling.
It was much more challenging due to the numerous large rocks and tree roots we needed to climb. The huge drop off the sometimes very narrow trail in spots was another. We found scavenged walking sticks which were a plus. I can’t imagine not using one!
We made it to the waterfall where we could cool our feet in the chilly water. Refreshing. But then the trek back. Proud we did it but not again.
Written 22 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David H
41 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022
Nice falls without the major crowds. Hiked here with family including a 6 and 8 year old. Keep an eye on the little ones because there are some steep dropoffs on the trail, however we had no major problems. Terrain can be a little challenging, but take your time, anyone can do this trail. Well worth the moderately short hike for the falls. The pool below the falls is the perfect place to cool off if its hot. Trail is short enough not to have to worry about bringing food or even drinks, although, its probably a good idea to bring a beverage. Highly recommend this hike for the lower crowds and time it takes to finish.
Written 21 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jennifer B
Morgantown, WV72 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022 • Family
These falls are very pretty but not easy. There’s a lot of rocks & roots to trek over & the trail can be 2’ wide at times. I though it was harder than Groton Falls. Not a lot of room when you get to the falls. Be prepared to climb over big rocks to get a good spot to sit.
Written 20 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jessica S
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2021 • Family
This trail was not very well marked and difficult to find but made it a more peaceful hike since there weren’t as many people. The hike itself was quite strenuous. Though it was only 2 miles you are climbing over rocks or tree roots almost the entire way. But the falls were powerful and beautiful and well worth the hike!
Written 23 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Spruce Flats Falls - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Frequently Asked Questions about Spruce Flats Falls