Waterfall Record

This is a portion of a waterfall with a rainbow.

The Waterfall Record

Indian Creek Falls, North Carolina

Indian Creek Falls is a 30 foot / 9 meter tall waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the North Carolina side. Rhododendrons surround both sides of the falls.
Indian Creek Falls in March 2017

Quick Facts

Accessibility: 9/10 (easy)
Height: 30′ / 9 m
Length of Hike: 1.6 miles / 2.6 km round-trip

The Record

The mountainous region of western North Carolina is an absolute paradise for waterfall lovers, with countless cascades to be found around every turn (not much of an exaggeration). A perfect example of this is the Deep Creek area in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, just north of Bryson City. Here, you can see three beautiful and distinct waterfalls, including Indian Creek Falls, on a single, very easy hike, making it one of the most rewarding short trails in the entire park.

Starting from the Deep Creek campground and trailhead, the hike is a family-friendly 1.5-mile round trip that is somewhat of a loop. The trail is wide and follows the beautiful Deep Creek, making for a pleasant walk. Along the way, you’ll first encounter Tom Branch Falls, a wide cascade that flows gracefully into the main creek. A short spur trail takes you to Juney Whank Falls, but the main path continues on to Indian Creek Falls.

Indian Creek Falls is a 30-foot drop that cascades into a wide pool. A wooden bridge crosses the creek just downstream, providing a perfect vantage point for photos and enjoying the view. The combination of seeing three unique waterfalls in such a short distance on an easy trail is hard to beat. For anyone visiting the North Carolina side of the Smokies, the Deep Creek waterfall hike is a great hike for everyone.

Directions

  1. US-19 and US-74 both lead into Bryson City from the east, and US-74 from the west.
  2. The Tuckasegee River runs through Bryson City, with the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains on the north side of the river.
  3. Deep Creek Road starts in Bryson City. You want to stay on the west side of Deep Creek, on W Deep Creek Road. This leads directly to the campground (though the roads may not be “direct”, but winding).
  4. The Deep Creek Falls and Trail parking is essentially at the end of the road.
  5. Following the Deep Creek Trail, you’ll pass Tom Branch Falls, cross a bridge over Deep Creek, and then you’ll encounter a trail on your right that leads to Indian Creek Falls. You’ll only walk a short distance on that trail before encountering the falls.

Where in the World is Indian Creek Falls?

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