Sight · Great Smoky Mountains National Park
A 90-foot cascade makes the rooted climb worthwhile.
Overview
Hen Wallow Falls is a roughly 90-foot waterfall on Hen Wallow Creek in the Cosby section of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Do it if you want a waterfall at the end of a proper forest hike; it isn't a quick pull-off. The round trip is about 4.3 miles, with a steady climb and a steep final descent to the base. Save energy for the climb back out.
Parkwolf’s verdictIs the climb worth it?Map
Plan your stop
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Great Smoky Mountains Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Great Smoky Mountains audio tourRecorded for this place
Cosby Picnic Area and Hen Wallow Falls“Up ahead is Cosby Picnic Area, a shady place for lunch beside Cosby Creek. Bring your own picnic; the tables have charcoal grills. The picnic area is seasonal, generally spring through fall.”
Plays as you drive up to Hen Wallow Falls in the Parkwolf Great Smoky Mountains Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Guide
Use the designated hiker parking area at Cosby Picnic Area, near the campground entrance. From there, walk about 100 yards back along the entrance road to the signed start of Gabes Mountain Trail. The route climbs through hardwood forest with hemlock and rhododendron, and some sections have switchbacks, rocks and tree roots. The short spur to the falls is steep. The nearest restroom is at the picnic area, and pets aren't allowed on this hike.
At the top, Hen Wallow Creek is only about two feet wide. It divides into two streams, then spreads across a base about 30 feet wide. Look at the rock shelves where the water splits; that's what gives the falls their shape. Salamanders are often found in the pool below, though spotting one isn't guaranteed.
The descent brings you close to the lower rocks and pool. For a photo, frame the split streams and the broad fan, not just the lip; that shows how the narrow creek spreads out. Flow can be low during dry stretches, and the rooty trail can be slick after rain, so expect the falls and footing to change with conditions.
Wildlife
1,569 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
900 sightingsElkMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
13 sightingsBald EagleMost seen around 9 AMSighting map
142 sightingsTimber RattlesnakeMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
26 sightingsBobcatMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
42 sightingsRiver OtterMost seen around 7 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Great Smoky Mountains. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
ModerateGabes Mountain Trail to Hen Wallow Falls4.3 mi · 3.5 hr · 1.6 mi awayA rooty 4.3-mile out-and-back ends at a steep 90-foot waterfall.
ChallengingSnake Den Ridge Trail10.6 mi · 8 hr · 1.6 mi awayA steep 10.6-mile out-and-back to the Appalachian Trail.
ChallengingMount Cammerer Trail11.1 mi · 7 hr · 1.7 mi awayA steep climb to a historic tower above the Smokies.
ModerateSutton Ridge Overlook Trail3.5 mi · 2 hr · 1.7 mi awayA short, steep spur reaches a north-facing view over Riding Fork.
ChallengingLow Gap Trail5.4 mi · 5 hr · 1.7 mi awayCreek crossings and a steep climb to the remote Walnut Bottom junction.ChallengingLow Gap, Appalachian Trail and Snake Den Ridge Loop Trail13.1 mi · 9 hr · 1.7 mi awayA full-day loop links Low Gap, the AT, and Snake Den Ridge.
ModerateAlbright Grove Loop Trail6.7 mi · 4.5 hr · 1.7 mi awayOld-growth trees reward the long approach to Albright Grove.
ChallengingMaddron Bald Trail7.2 mi · 6.5 hr · 1.7 mi awayA long climb from old growth to a brushy high bald.
Picnic area · 1.6 mi awayCosby Picnic AreaA shady 35-site picnic stop beside Cosby Creek
Campground · 1.8 mi awayCosby CampgroundA shady, tent-heavy base with hiking routes nearby.
Sight · 2.8 mi awayAlbright GroveA long hike through one of the Smokies’ finest old-growth forests.
Scenic pullout · 3.3 mi awayCosby OverlookA short pullout with a southwest view over Cosby Valley.
Sight · 3.6 mi awayTyson McCarter PlaceThe farmyard’s unusual layout rewards a long trail detour.
Scenic pullout · 3.7 mi awayGreen Mountain OverlookA southeast-facing view worth timing for sunrise.
Sight · 4.3 mi awayMount Cammerer Lookout TowerA rock summit and a 1930s fire tower reward a big climb.
Scenic pullout · 4.7 mi awayAllen Grove OverlookA quick mountain-view break on Foothills Parkway East.Parkwolf’s Great Smoky Mountains ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
