July 04, 2022
Our beautiful campground is just a short drive from the Greenbrier entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where you’ll find the Ramsey Cascades Trail! This 8-mile round trip hike not only features a lovely old-growth cove hardwood forest, but also the tallest waterfall in the park! If you only have time for just one hike during your stay in the Smokies, put this one at the top of your itinerary! Here are the top 4 reasons why you’ll want to hike the Ramsey Cascades Trail:
The Ramsey Cascades Trail features some of the most spectacular scenery in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, as it follows rushing rivers and streams for much of its length. The first 1.5 miles follows the remnants of an old gravel road that was once used as a logging route, then continues forward into the largest old-growth forest left in the Smokies. From here, you’ll get to enjoy the magnificent sights of large tulip trees, basswoods, silver bells and yellow birches. The trail culminates with Ramsey Cascades, where water drops about 100 feet over several tiers and collects in a small pool where salamanders can often be found.
Another reason why you’ll want to hike to Ramsey Cascades is because it offers an excellent opportunity for a workout! The trail is considered a moderately strenuous hike that will get your blood pumping, as it gains nearly 2,200 feet in elevation over its four-mile course. However, it’s a gradual climb that only gets remotely steep during the last mile or so while approaching the waterfall. This last mile is also quite rocky, so remember to use caution on your way back down!
Whether you are a professional photographer or just want to take some pictures of your adventures with a cell phone, you’ll love the awesome photo opportunities along the Ramsey Cascades Trail! When you reach the waterfall, you will want to cross over the shallow pool at the bottom to reach a rock ledge on the other side. This will put you in the perfect position for some amazing photos of the cascades! These pictures not only allow you to remember this incredible hike, but you can share the photos with your family and friends back home!
The fabulous thing about Ramsey Cascades is that it is one of the closest hikes to our Smoky Mountain campground! You’ll be ready for a rest after tackling the trail, so you can look forward to the quick drive back to our campground to relax by the banks of the Little Pigeon River! If you are visiting during the summer months, cool off with a dip in the Flint Rock swimming hole before winding down in your tent, RV or camping cabin!
Check out all of the information about our Smoky Mountain campground today to stay close to the Ramsey Cascades Trail and all of the other fantastic hiking opportunities throughout the Smokies! We look forward to seeing you soon!
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