Indian Creek Falls

Categories: Play, Hiking & Backpacking, Kid-Friendly, Waterfalls, Places of Interest, Hikes to waterfalls, Outdoor Fun, Swimming Holes, Kid Friendly Spots, Great Smoky Mountains National Park... NC

Extend Map

See all photos

Next Previous

Highlights

25 foot cascading waterfall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Deep Creek Access
Nice sized pool at the bottom to wade or swim in
Easily accessible waterfall from the trailhead near Bryson City, NC
Nearby hiking, horseback riding, camping, biking, swimming, tubing and fishing
No dogs allowed
Toms Branch Falls and Juney Whank Falls nearby

The Local Scoop

Indian Creek Falls are some of our favorite falls in the Deep Creek area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They are one of three gorgeous waterfalls (Toms Branch Falls & Juney Whank Falls) located within 1 mile (or less) of each other. They are the biggest of the three, but also happen to be the shortest at 25 feet. Indian Creek is a larger source of water than what the other two falls have. There is a nice pool at the bottom of the falls that makes for a nice spot to cool off in during the summer months.

We recommend Indian Creek Falls to the entire family excluding "Fido", that is. The trails in this section of the park are off limits to dogs. We highly recommend visiting all three waterfalls in this area if you can. They are so close to each other that it would be a shame to miss one of them.

Our best suggestion would be to stop by Juney Whank Falls first, then Toms Branch and finally Indian Creek. Because of the location of Toms Branch Falls, you will get to see them twice if visiting Indian Creek Falls at all via the main Deep Creek Trail. Or, if you would like to make one big loop we would suggest heading straight up the Deep Creek Trail from the parking lot to Toms Branch Falls, then to Indian Creek Falls via Indain Creek Trail. After Indian Creek Falls, you will need to back track to the Deep Creek Trail and go right. This takes you over Indian Creek and shortly there after Deep Creek again via bridge.

Just past this bridge you'll see a trail sign at another junction reading, "Deep Creek Horse Trail, (Trailhead) 2.0 & Juney Whank Falls 1.2". This will give you a bit of a different path to Juney Whank Falls along the Deep Creek Horse Trail which runs along the opposite side of Deep Creek that you were just on. In 1.2 miles you'll see a small sign reading "Falls" with an arrow pointing you in the right direction. At Juney Whank Falls simply cross the footbridge head up hill until you run into the Deep Creek Horse Trail again and head down hill and back to the parking area.

The Local Directions

From downtown Bryson City, NC take Everett Street across the railroad tracks and to a right onto Depot Street. Travel along side the trains and train station for approx. 0.2 mile. At stop sign take a slight left and onto Deep Creek Road for approx. 0.3 mile.

Here, you'll need to take a left onto West Deep Creek Road, just before a bridge over Deep Creek. Continue up W. Deep Creek Rd. for approx. 2.5 miles crossing into Great Smoky Mountains National Park (see sign on your right).

To get to the trailhead and parking area for Deep Creek Trail continue on and bear to the left past the turn off for the campground on your right, avoiding the large picnic area on your right. The road dead ends at the parking area on the left. Once parked go past the back of the lot and pick up the main Deep Creek Trail and sign for Indian Creek Trail.