Grotto Falls - Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park offered plenty of kid-friendly hiking options to check out while on our family vacation in Tennessee. We put a lot of effort into researching several before we go so we can pick a few we knew everyone will enjoy!

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We find our kiddos are highly motivated with the promise of swimming holes and waterfalls (and yummy trail snacks) so it's something we keep in mind as they find their hiking grove. Although our kids can go about 7-8 miles before their little legs give out, we find 4-6 miles to be their sweet spot. It ends up being long enough for us to feel accomplished and short enough to avoid feeling like your holding your child against their will! No one wants to hear a whiny kid on the trails... am I right?! Our kids are able to feel independent when we let them "lead" us to our destination and though our hikes do tend to take a little longer when we have to stop to look at yet another leaf and that pebble that most certainly came from a buried treasure millions of year ago (sure kid, whatever you say!), but if stopping every 50 feet keeps them interested then it's totally worth it to us!

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Grotto Falls Trail

One of the best kid-friendly hikes we found was Grotto Falls. While the hike itself was fairly easy, getting to the trailhead was an experience all itself. We left around 8:30 (mistake #1) from our campground at Riveredge RV Park and headed towards Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. There have been few roads that really have us hanging on the edge of our seat (like the one leading to Whittaker Point, Arkansas) and Roaring Fork Trail is definitely one of those. We quickly realized why they make Jeeps available for rent to drive through it! As we drove past historical sites along the winding road we didn't dare stop to explore. Thankfully the road is a one-way loop because it is extremely narrow.

With 6 miles of twists and turns this road could be a blog post all itself! Mossy green rock walls line one side while the other offers views of the river waayyyy down below. When we neared Grotto Falls parking area, cars were lined up for a mile and a half before we even got to the lot. Needless to say, the lot was full- including clearings just large enough to create a make-shift parking space. We continued down the lot in hopes of finding a place to park but cars lined up over a mile in this direction as well. We decided to check out some local shopping back in town and try again later in the day.

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We tried again around 4pm and were a little nervous to make that second drive. Heading up the same winding road we noticed it was less crowded. The parking area was still full but Grotto Falls is a relatively quick hike so we decided to wait until parking opened up.

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Running through the old hemlock forest, the trail is filled with wild mushrooms, moss-covered boulders, and creek crossings, making this hike one of our favorites in GSMNP. If the greenery that fills this forest isn't enough to keep you interested, maybe finding a trail of llama carrying supplies to the top will grab your attention! The 2.8 mile out and back trail also features the only waterfall in GSMNP that you can walk behind.

The hike is considered moderate due to it's elevation and areas of rocky path but we found it fairly easy overall. By the end of the trail the incline did get a little difficult but luckily the falls came at the perfect time. A beautiful rock staircase on the river's side created a fantasy-like path running behind the 25-foot waterfall. Making our way under the walls, the trail looped around to a swimming hole lined with boulders and the salamanders that lived there. The water was FREEZING but it didn't stop our kids from swimming in it!

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Heading back (on the road of death), there were a few sharp turns we didn't think we'd make it around but our Mini-White-Semi saw us through once again! Right before leaving, we did happen to noticed the sign stating, "No RVs". (Mistake #2)

Oops! So much for research! Learn from our (big) mistake and DO NOT ATTEMPT to drive this road with your RV or trailer- but if given the chance DEFINITELY check out Grotto Falls! Oh, and be sure to get there earlier than 9am.