Tennessee · Hiking

Laurel Falls Trail

Laurel Falls TrailPhoto: David Dugan, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
3.1 mi
one way
1,365 ft
climb
3,640 ft
high point
Point to point
route
Sep–Oct
best months

Is Laurel Falls Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It doesn't name Laurel Falls Trail, so check the source for the area it covers (4 listed).

As of · Source: NPS · Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Laurel Falls Trail is a 3.1-mile point-to-point hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee, managed by the National Park Service. The trail rises from about 2,288 feet to 3,640 feet, a total gain of 1,365 feet, and is rated moderate. The climb is back-loaded, with the steepest stretch at about 1.3 miles, where the grade reaches 24 percent. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Newfound Gap weather station, which sits about 1,400 feet higher than the trail, show July highs around 74°F with lows near 57°F. That station's figures run cooler than conditions on the trail, so expect warmer temperatures here. The hike takes about 1.5 hours. Bikes and horses are not allowed. The closest neighbors are Little Brier Gap Trail and Metcalf Bottoms Trail, both about 1.6 miles away, and Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Pavilion, about 2.1 miles off. Elkmont Group Camp is about 2.3 miles away.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Sep–Oct

    Best time to visit Laurel Falls Trail

    Best months: September–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      39° / 22°

      13 wet

    2. Feb

      42° / 25°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      49° / 30°

      13 wet

    4. Apr

      58° / 38°

      13 wet

    5. May

      66° / 47°

      15 wet

    6. Jun

      71° / 54°

      16 wet

    7. Jul

      74° / 57°

      16 wet

    8. Aug

      72° / 56°

      14 wet

    9. Sep

      68° / 51°

      11 wet

    10. Oct

      59° / 41°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      50° / 32°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      43° / 27°

      12 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Newfound Gap, TN, 11.5 mi away at 5,040 ft. The station sits about 1,400 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Laurel Falls TrailPhoto: David Dugan, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors