Rainbow Falls

Rainbow Falls is the tallest single-drop waterfall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, an 80-foot plunge of LeConte Creek down the flank of Mount LeConte on the Tennessee side near Gatlinburg. On sunny afternoons, the falls live up to their name, casting a shimmering rainbow in the mist that rises from the base — a magical sight that rewards the climb.

Reached by the strenuous Rainbow Falls Trail, a roughly 5.4-mile round trip that climbs steadily through rich forest, the falls are a popular but demanding hike, and the trail continues all the way to the summit of Mount LeConte for those seeking a longer adventure. In winter, the spray freezes into spectacular ice formations. With its height, its namesake rainbows and its setting on the slopes of legendary Mount LeConte, Rainbow Falls is one of the most rewarding waterfall hikes in the Smokies.

Rainbow Falls is reached by the strenuous Rainbow Falls Trail, about 5.4 miles round trip, climbing steadily through forest to the 80-foot falls — the tallest single-drop in the park. Hikers come for the waterfall, the chance to see a rainbow in the afternoon mist, and the option to continue to the summit of Mount LeConte. It is a demanding but rewarding hike, popular with those seeking a real Smokies waterfall trek rather than a short, easy walk.

Spring brings the fullest flow from snowmelt and rain and the best chance of vivid rainbows in the afternoon sun. Summer is lush but humid and busy. Fall frames the falls and forest in color. Winter transforms the falls into spectacular ice formations, beautiful but the trail is hazardous. Sunny afternoons offer the best chance to see the namesake rainbow in the mist; start early to allow time for the strenuous climb.

Rainbow Falls takes its name from the rainbow that forms in its mist on sunny afternoons. The falls and the Rainbow Falls Trail up Mount LeConte are part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, dedicated in 1940. The trail is one of the historic routes to the summit of legendary Mount LeConte, traveled by generations of hikers, and the falls have long been a celebrated destination on the Tennessee side of the park near Gatlinburg.

Rainbow Falls plunges about 80 feet in a single drop — the tallest such drop in the park — as LeConte Creek pours over a ledge of the ancient, hard metamorphic rock of the Smokies, Precambrian rock uplifted hundreds of millions of years ago and carved by the stream. The sheer single drop reflects the resistant rock ledge, and the rising mist that catches the sun to form rainbows is a product of the falls’ height and the afternoon light in the gorge.

The forest along the Rainbow Falls Trail shelters black bear, white-tailed deer, salamanders in great diversity, and a rich community of birds, climbing through the lush habitat of Mount LeConte’s slopes. Bears are present, so hikers must keep their distance and store food properly. The Smokies’ extraordinary biodiversity — the Salamander Capital of the World and an International Biosphere Reserve — is on display along the streamside climb.

Rainbow Falls lies in the rich, moist forest of Mount LeConte’s slopes, where the spray-fed gorge supports mosses, ferns and rhododendron, and the trail climbs through changing forest types toward the high country. The tumbling LeConte Creek and its riparian corridor form a healthy ecosystem within the most biodiverse national park in America. Keeping to the trail protects the fragile streamside vegetation and the climbing path through this lush forest.

Rainbow Falls, as the tallest single-drop waterfall in the Smokies and a celebrated stop on the climb up legendary Mount LeConte, holds a cherished place among the park’s waterfalls. The namesake rainbows in the afternoon mist, the spectacular winter ice, and the strenuous but rewarding hike have made it a favorite of waterfall lovers and LeConte pilgrims for generations in the most-visited national park in America.

Rainbow Falls is reached by the strenuous Rainbow Falls Trail (about 5.4 miles round trip) from the trailhead on Cherokee Orchard Road near Gatlinburg, off the Roaring Fork area. There is no entrance fee, though a parking tag is required, and the trailhead lot fills early. The trail is steep, rocky and demanding, and continues to the summit of Mount LeConte. Check the National Park Service for current parking-tag requirements and trail conditions.

The National Park Service protects Rainbow Falls and the forest of Mount LeConte’s slopes within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Visitors help by staying on the trail to protect the fragile streamside vegetation, keeping a safe distance from bears and storing food properly, packing out everything, and not climbing on the dangerous, slippery falls. Protecting the trail and forest preserves both the experience and the ecology of this beautiful spot.

The Rainbow Falls Trail is steep, rocky and strenuous — carry water, wear sturdy shoes, start early, and know your limits. The rocks around the falls are extremely slippery and dangerous; serious injuries have occurred from climbing on or near the falls, so stay on the trail and keep back. This is bear country, so store food and keep your distance from wildlife. In winter the trail and falls ice over and are hazardous; come prepared.

No entrance fee, but a parking tag is required for parking. Stay on the trail; climbing on the falls is prohibited and extremely dangerous. Backcountry camping toward LeConte requires a permit. Never feed or approach wildlife — keep 50 yards from bears. Pets are not allowed on the trail. Collecting and drones are prohibited. Pack out all trash. Check the National Park Service for current requirements before hiking.

The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Grotto Falls, and the trails to the summit of Mount LeConte lie close, with the gateway town of Gatlinburg, the Sugarlands Visitor Center, and the waterfalls and high country of the Tennessee side of the park all within reach. Newfound Gap, Clingmans Dome and Cades Cove are part of a wider Smokies visit, making Rainbow Falls a rewarding stop on the slopes of legendary Mount LeConte.

Start early for the strenuous 5.4-mile round-trip hike, carry plenty of water, and wear sturdy shoes for the steep, rocky trail. Time your visit for a sunny afternoon for the best chance of seeing the namesake rainbow in the mist, and secure a parking tag in advance. Stay back from the dangerously slippery falls, store food in bear country, and consider continuing toward the summit of Mount LeConte for a bigger adventure.