Explore Rainbow Falls, a Beautiful Trail with the Smokies' Highest Waterfall!

We used the rainbow falls trail to descend from our stay at Le Conte Lodge (a total of 6.6 miles one way), but we passed many day-hikers trekking in the reverse direction to get a view of the impressive falls (5.4 miles up and back). 

If you are hiking up from the parking lot, you will cross two footbridges and several water features that may have you wondering when you will arrive at the 80 foot waterfall that’s the trail’s namesake.  Keep going – the falls are 2.7 miles into your hike!  These gorgeous falls are the highest single-drop falls in the Smokies.  Be careful on the rocks and just stay on the trail!  They are slippery and can ruin your trip - we saw a middle aged guy take a tumble and he had to have the Search and Rescue team get him down the mountain (he will be ok but dislocated his knee!)

If you are headed to Le Conte, you’ll then climb 3.2 miles past the falls and more than 1700 feet to reach the Bullhead Trail junction.  It makes it difficult for the youngest kids, so plan accordingly.  I think it would be fine for older kids and teenagers.

The trail is mostly shaded and there are many great spots for picnics along the walk.

Beware that after very heavy rains, the falls may not be passable to the lodge (per signage along the way).

Past the falls towards Le Conte, you'll pass through the wake of the 2016 fire in the area.  The trees are a reminder of all of the destruction that occurred just a short time ago.