• Approximately 1,500 black bears live in the national park.

    Great Smoky Mountains

    National Park NC,TN

Indian Creek and Toms Branch Falls

Indian Creek Falls

Kent Cave Photo

An easy 1.6 mile roundtrip hike will allow you to enjoy two beautiful waterfalls in the Deep Creek area. Walk Deep Creek Trail 0.7 mile to the junction with Indian Creek Trail. On your way you can view the elegant, 60' high Tom Branch Falls located on the far side of Deep Creek. Turn right at the junction with Indian Creek Trail and proceed approximately 200' to Indian Creek Falls. The falls are 25 feet in height.

Access trail: Deep Creek Trail

Trailhead: Follow the signs to the national park through downtown Bryson City to Deep Creek Campground. Continue past the campground to the trailhead at the end of Deep Creek Road.

Trail Notes: The roundtrip distance to the waterfalls is 1.6 miles and the hike is generally considered easy. It takes about 1-2 hours to hike to the waterfalls and back. Carry drinking water with you.

Sturdy walking shoes are recommended. Bicycles are permitted on this section of the Deep Creek Trail. Pets are prohibited on the trail.

Water recreation is not recommended in the park. Do not climb on rocks around waterfalls or along riverbanks. These rocks are slippery due to mist and algae. Closely supervise children at all times. Please read this important water safety information.

Black bears are sometimes active in this area. Please read What Do I Do if I See a Bear.

Did You Know?

The park is named for the misty clouds that hang over the mountains.

The wispy, smoke-like fog that hangs over the Smoky Mountains comes from rain and evaporation from trees. On the high peaks of the Smokies, an average of 85 inches of rain falls each year, qualifying these upper elevation areas as temperate rain forests.