Trickling Falls

Sevier County, Tennessee

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Sevier County, Tennessee
Access status: Partial guide: unofficial side path to the base; no distance given
The walk: 0.9 mile to the Road Prong Trail junction, then a short, unmeasured distance up Road Prong
Ground & access: Chimney Tops Trail and the rocky Road Prong Trail, then an unofficial path and rock-hopping in the stream. Parts of the Road Prong Trail are in the stream bed; avoid it in high water.

Trickling Falls is described by a visitor as the largest falls on Road Prong, in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. From the Chimney Tops Trailhead on Newfound Gap Road, follow the Chimney Tops Trail 0.9 mile to Beech Flats, where the Road Prong Trail branches left. A visitor account, walking down Road Prong, reached Trickling Falls by a tunnel through the rhododendron that led to the base, rock-hopped up to view two falls, climbed back up a dirt ditch to the trail, and then passed one more cascade before reaching Beech Flats. The side path to the base is not an official trail and no distance is given, so this is a partial guide. Return the same way.

Plan your visit

Chimney Tops Trailhead on Newfound Gap Road, Chimney Tops Trail 0.9 mile to Beech Flats, left on the Road Prong Trail, then an unofficial path through rhododendron down to the falls

Hiking Project gives 0.9 mile on the Chimney Tops Trail to Beech Flats, where the Road Prong Trail branches left. A visitor account places Trickling Falls a short way above Beech Flats but gives no distance.

Chimney Tops Trail and the rocky Road Prong Trail, then an unofficial path and rock-hopping in the stream. Parts of the Road Prong Trail are in the stream bed; avoid it in high water.

Where to start

Chimney Tops Trailhead on Newfound Gap Road, 6.3 miles from Sugarlands and 6.7 miles from Newfound Gap, per Hiking Project.

Timing & water

Newfound Gap Road can close for snow and ice in winter. Avoid the stream-bed sections of Road Prong in high water.

Before you go

A Great Smoky Mountains National Park parking tag is required for any vehicle parked longer than 15 minutes. The park lists daily ($5), weekly ($15) and annual ($40) tags. The tag must be displayed in the vehicle and does not guarantee a parking space. No booking is needed for the trail.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore Tennessee

Waterfall location

Sevier County, Tennessee.

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