Last updated: October 10, 2024
Place
Grotto Falls
NPS Photo
Quick Facts
Significance:
Point of Interest on Trillium Gap Trail
Amenities
1 listed
Scenic View/Photo Spot
Parking is often full—please prepare a back-up plan and consider using a shuttle.
Grotto Falls is a unique 25-foot (7.6) waterfall in a cool mountain cove and the only waterfall in the park with a trail that passes behind it. To reach the falls, hikers will need to walk 2.6 miles (4.2 km) roundtrip on Trillium Gap Trail. The trail crosses multiple streams and meanders through sections of old-growth forest and rhododendron before it reaches the falls and winds behind it, continuing on to Mount LeConte.
The trail to Grotto Falls is well-traveled, especially in summer, but rainfall and high water can make for muddy and slippery conditions. The parking lot for this trail is often full, so please have a back-up plan.
How to Get There
- Hike 2.6 miles (4.2 km) roundtrip on Trillium Gap Trail. Consult a park trail map for other route options (mileages will vary).
- Limited parking available at the Trillium Gap Trailhead on the one-way Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.
- Don't stress about parking—consider using a shuttle.