This Goofballs and Waterfalls destination is in a popular spot in East Tennessee. Spruce Flats Falls is roughly a 2-mile round trip hike located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Townsend, Tennessee. Here are some fun details about this little hike.
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
Now, repeat visitors of Price-Points are already familiar with my appreciation of Townsend, especially when it comes to the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. The majority of tourist in the Great Smoky Mountains often overlook this section of the park while visiting nearby Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. This makes it a great destination if you’re looking for a place to hike with minimal contact.
That said, I have found Spruce Flats Falls to be the busiest hike in Tremont due to two factors:
- The trailhead is located near the Tremont Institute Visitor Center.
- The hike is around 2 miles with a minimal number of inclines.
Combine those factors with the fact the falls are gorgeous, and you’ve got a recipe for multiple hikers along the trail.
Spruce Flats Falls – Lay of the Land
To access Spruce Flats Falls, park at the Visitor Center’s parking lot and head towards the gravel service road. Hikers can swing a left around the Tremont dorms and follow the signs for the trail.
Spruce Flats Falls Elevation
When hiking Spruce Flats Falls, expect an elevation gain of around 450 feet, with a strong incline between 0.4 and 0.6 of the trail. That small part of the trail holds a gain of 136 feet. As long as you plan for this before hiking, you should be good. Just remember, this is a short hike, so you have plenty of time to rest, especially if you’re hiking with children (little goofballs).
Another reminder is that you have to hike that back to your car, which means it’s a steep downhill near the end of your hike.
Plenty of Room at Spruce Flats Falls
The trail can be narrow and very tight at times, which can provide some obstacles when stumbling upon other hikers. This type of hike provides a great opportunity for your little goofball to learn and practice proper hiking etiquette.
The good news is that once you arrive at the falls, the landscape opens up and provides plenty of room. There are several rocks where you can sit to set up a picnic or explore. If you’re there during warm weather, you’ll find a few swimming holes where you can cool off and have fun.
Spruce Flats Falls Shoes
A final footnote about shoes (see what I did there). Parts of this trail are rocky and can be pretty ragged. Both Max and I always wear close toe shoes when hiking this trail and pack in our hiking sandals for the water. I typically stick with my trusty trail runners, and we both change to our Chacos before getting in the water.
So, have you hiked this fun Goofballs and Waterfalls stop? If so, tell us about your experience in the comment section below. Plus, be sure to sign up for notifications so you don’t miss any more stops on this tour and future tours!