Indian Creek Falls Hike
Waterfall | North Carolina
2.4 mi loop
Indian Creek Falls Hike at a Glance
The Indian Creek Falls hike via the Deep Creek Waterfalls Loop is 2.4 mi loop.
| Elevation at the falls | ≈ 2,050 ft |
|---|---|
| Trail | Deep Creek Waterfalls Loop |
| Distance | 2.4 mi loop |
Your time: about 50 min of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 1 h at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 450 kcal. No elevation gain is published for this route, so climbing time isn’t included.
Adjust for your pace and breaks →Route line not shown. The 2.4 mi distance for this hike is verified (nps.gov), but we don't yet have a trail track we trust, so the map shows only the destination. Carry an official map.
About Indian Creek Falls
Indian Creek Falls is a waterfall in North Carolina, on land managed by Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the Deep Creek Waterfalls Loop: 2.4 miles as a loop, from Deep Creek Trailhead. Distance from nps.gov.
Before You Go
- A parking tag is required to park in the Smokies for more than 15 minutes. (nps.gov)
- The Gatlinburg Trail and Oconaluftee River Trail are the only park trails where pets are permitted. (nps.gov)
- The hike has some steep sections, stairs, and occasional roots and rocks on the trail. (nps.gov)
- Rock around waterfalls is slick when wet; stay on the trail and back from the edge.
- Check Great Smoky Mountains National Park for current conditions, closures and parking before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to Indian Creek Falls?
The Deep Creek Waterfalls Loop to Indian Creek Falls is 2.4 miles as a loop.
Where does the Indian Creek Falls hike start?
It starts from Deep Creek Trailhead.
Is there a fee to hike to Indian Creek Falls?
A parking tag is required to park in the Smokies for more than 15 minutes.
Are dogs allowed on the Indian Creek Falls trail?
The Gatlinburg Trail and Oconaluftee River Trail are the only park trails where pets are permitted.
Safety Information
Current Hazards
- Slippery wet rock near the falls
- Fast, high water after rain or snowmelt
- Check weather before departure
Turn-Around Time
3:00 PM
Plan to reach the falls by this time so you are back before dark.
Essential Gear Checklist
* Critical items - do not hike without these
Emergency Contacts
Emergency / Search & Rescue
911Point Forecast
NWS Point Forecast →In most of the US, backcountry search and rescue is dispatched through 911 — tell the operator you have a hiker emergency and your GPS coordinates.
Downloads
Sources for The Indian Creek Falls Guide
Where the trail data, elevation and route line on this page come from.
- Verified against
- nps.gov
- Distance
- nps.gov
- Falls location
- discoverjacksonnc.com
- Elevation
- ≈ Copernicus GLO-90 elevation model at the falls coordinates (via Open-Meteo)
Conditions change. Check the land manager for closures, fees and weather before you go.
Nearby Hikes
Other hikes within 30 miles of Indian Creek Falls.