Deep Creek Trail Trailhead

Hiking area · Swain County

Deep Creek Trail Trailhead

Hiking area · Swain County

1

W Deep Creek Rd, Bryson City, NC 28713

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Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead by null

Highlights

Hike past 3 waterfalls, tube the creek, or camp nearby.  

Placeholder
Placeholder

W Deep Creek Rd, Bryson City, NC 28713 Get directions

explorebrysoncity.com

Information

Static Map

W Deep Creek Rd, Bryson City, NC 28713 Get directions

+1 828 488 7857
explorebrysoncity.com

Features

wheelchair accessible parking lot
wheelchair accessible entrance

Last updated

Aug 15, 2025

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Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National Park

"If you want to be surrounded by water — both streams and waterfalls — plan a hike on Deep Creek Loop Trail. Spiro, who leads the hiking division at Carolina Bound Adventures, says on the North Carolina side of the park she recommends “the Deep Creek Loop Trail a couple of miles outside Bryson City, where you’ll see three waterfalls within a very short hike.” The trail is also one of the few routes within the park where bicycles are allowed." - Travel + Leisure Editors

https://www.travelandleisure.com/guide-to-great-smoky-mountains-national-park-8557055
View Postcard for Deep Creek Trail Trailhead

Virginia Perry

Google
There are 3 waterfalls on this loop. Juney Whank, Tom Branch Falls and Indian falls. We didn’t do the loop but chose to visit Tom Branch and Indian Falls and then go back to the car. The trail is mostly level with some elevation gain along the way. Lots of folks rent Tubes and tube down the creek in the park as we saw lots of folks of all ages tubing. There are also tent campsites nearby in the National Park.

Mollie Starnes

Google
Great place for families,singles, and couples. 2 out of 3 waterfalls are easy hikes. Juney Wank has 2 entrance points both with steep hills. I did see a couple of people in wheelchairs doing Tom Branch and Indian Falls. They also picnic areas with tables and place to float down the river. It is a parking pass place. Machines are by the bathrooms.

Bob Gegenheimer

Google
Several trails to choose from. There's a small loop of .7 miles to a waterfall. There's an out and back to two other waterfalls. And a 4.5 mile large loop that mixes in with a horse trail. The parking was a little difficult due to MANY people tubing on the shallow river. This also made for a very crowded trail. Still a good way to get a little exercise and see a few nice waterfalls.

Kerrie Pruitt

Google
Located right outside of Downtown Bryson City, this beautiful area is equipped with a lot of walking trails. Trail is fairly easy and allows you to enjoy 3 beautiful waterfalls. (Juney Whank Falls - Tom Branch Falls -Indian Creek Falls). Camping area is available and parking is $5 . It was a wonderful experience and honestly can’t wait to return! I look forward to enjoying some trout fishing 🎣

Melissa King

Google
Well-kept trails. Lots of people of all ages walking, hiking, and biking on the trails through the Smoky Mountain National Park. We visited in the morning and there was ample parking. Enjoyed visiting the three waterfalls, and also watching people tubing down the river.

William Thomas

Google
The Indian Creek Falls trail was well worth the half mile walk over mostly compact trails with a beautiful view of the water crashing over the rocks. I wouldn’t say it’s stroller friendly if you have small children, but anyone who can walk without assistance can do this hike.

Leslie McConachie

Google
This park has so much to offer: easy and moderate hikes, camping, tubing, waterfalls, fishing, horseback riding. Close to Bryson City, but nature all around

Jill Aker, PLLC

Google
Fantastic place to hoke and see all the waterfalls. People from all ages and sizes can hike these trails. Bring water.
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Jacqueline T.

Yelp
We spent a long weekend in Asheville back in January and came here for our first day of hiking. It was cold and snowing, so it wasn't crowded for us. The hike to this falls is really short and flat though, so I'd expect it to be very crowded on a nice day. You can get to this waterfall with a hike that's less than a mile. We did the whole 4.7 mile Deep Creek/Indian Creek Loop trail where you can see 3 waterfalls. If you include the offshoot to this one, it's a little longer. It's moderate and I would expect crowds to die off after you pass the first waterfall. You get really close to this waterfall which actually makes it hard to get a good picture of it. It was a beautiful waterfall in the snow and definitely a nice, moderate hike. I'd recommend it!
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Ward D.

Yelp
A nice small set of falls up a steep slope This site can be reached by 2 different methods. Our navigation app took us the more difficult way which was a rock/dirt road that went over the hill. I would suggest looking for the paved alternate route and taking that one. I highly recommend taking the well-paved part for everyone. Parking is limited in the parking lot that is at the trailhead for the falls. This location leads to several trails and at least 2 falls that are a short hike: Juney Whank and Tom Creek. Juney Whank is only about 0.2 miles but it is up a steep winding slope. There is a turnoff to the right that takes you down to a small bridge that puts you right in front of (and very close to) the falls. The falls are not really high but it is a nice view both looking up and down from the bridge. If you continue across the bridge up the trail, you will come to a divide in the trail. The one going down will take you to another set of falls (Tom Creek falls) and back to the parking area via a large and wide road. I would recommend this site for people interested in falls but a little expectation management on this. It is not a large set of falls and some visitors might be underwhelmed.
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Dave W.

Yelp
This is a neat little trail! Nice falls. Video of falls is enclosed. The round trip from the parking lot is about a mile, with decent elevation gain. We ended up doing the deep Creek trail also. About 2 miles up to the intersection of the loop trail and back. Several more waterfalls along the way, and super relaxing as the trail follows the creek the entire way. Huge parking lot here. Currently we have government shutdown, so no rangers to ask questions. Close to Bryson City, and we ended up eating lunch at the Ingles market there. Great way to spend a couple of hours.
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Meg C.

Yelp
This place was not on our original agenda for our NC trip, but I'm so glad we ended up there. Whether you're looking for some tubing down the river or a hike, this place is great for individuals of all ages. The hike was a bit steep at times, but the views were worth it. If you're not as able bodied, there is still a phenomenal view of a waterfall that you can see without any incline.
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Lizzy M.

Yelp
Loved this! We are a family of 6; our youngest is 3 years old and he had no problem navigating the few roots on the ground. Really beautiful waterfall.
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Lindsay W.

Yelp
Holy crap! As long as the weather is nice, avoid this area because it is a huge tubing drop off place and it is packed like sardines. We would not have driven here.
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Bob K.

Yelp
Loved this place. Given the chance I would take the trail walks here every chance I could. It was a heck of an uphill hike but seemed short in the end.
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Kaitlyn M.

Yelp
How gorgeous and easy to reach was this trail!!! I can't believe Chad F. gave it one star! Although, as I'm a hiking novice and not accustomed to serious trails, I suppose that's our different perspectives. Not being from the mountains, the far end of this trail had some fair inclines that were a nice challenge for us Piedmont folk. I think it was only two miles, but it kept us busy for well over an hour. On the other hand, we did take two unintended detours off onto what turned out to be a trail far into the forest just after/before the bridge. Be careful! There's an incredibly adorable and picturesque wooden bridge that goes right in front of the falls and offers beautiful views of the waterfall and downstream into the valley. There's a second, higher loop that you can take to see the falls further up, but the sun had set so I'll just have to come back to see it! Luckily, Chad F. is right, and Indian Creek Falls is only about 1.6 miles away. It's far more impressive in width and size, and complements this trail well. Love it, and can't wait to go back!
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Jessica B.

Yelp
We did the Deep Creek Horse Trail (3 falls loop) here which takes you past Juney Whank, Indian Creek and Tom Branch Falls. This is about a 2-2.5 mile loop and the first half of it is ever so slightly more difficult than the second half as it is mostly uphill. I mean I'm pretty out of shape and I was breathless while talking but it was definitely doable still. It was a pretty hike, especially with all the fall colors. I did find the signs to be slightly confusing though and about halfway there is a sign pointing off the trail that simply says cemetery. We followed this thinking "how cool an old cemetery in the woods". We must have followed this for between .5-1 mile. It was a little steeper so more out of breath, less talking and every corner we turned hoping we had made it led to disappointment. How far is that thing?? With only about an hour of sunlight left we had to turn back. I just wish we had more time to accomplish it since we had gone so far already.
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Angela M.

Yelp
Short and relatively easy hike, though with a big of an incline, and a pretty narrow path when headed north east on the loop after crossing the bridge in front of the falls. A good bridge and a solid bench for sitting to contemplate the meaning of the universe. The falls themselves are pretty, but not the most impressive of the trio.
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Cecelia E.

Yelp
Easy hike, especially if you are with kids or you want a short hike. Benches conveniently located so that one may enjoy the falls while sitting, if that is your desire. Combine it with the nearby Tom Branch Falls and a lovely picnic at the picnic area by Deep Creek for a longer experience. (We grabbed a sub from the nearby Subway.) Nice way to spend a warm spring day.

Denise R.

Yelp
These falls are alright. But if you're spending a day hunting for falls, I might skip this one, unless you're making it part of a larger hike. In fact, I think this one is part of a longer 3-falls hike.