Abrams Creek
- Hike
- 5 mi round trip
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Not allowed
Entry fee: Parking tag: $5 daily, $15 weekly, $40 annual (over 15 min). Abrams Creek is a waterfall basin in Blount County, Tennessee.
Closures and warnings
NPS: swimming strongly discouraged due to slippery rocks and a deadly undertow. Water recreation is not recommended park-wide; drowning is a leading cause of death in the park. As of September 28, 2026.
Before you swim
| Water type | Waterfall basin |
|---|
Access
| Hike | 5 mi round trip |
|---|---|
| Road | Paved |
| Road note | Trailhead is on the one-way Cades Cove Loop Road; allow up to three or four hours for the loop drive in peak season. |
| Parking | Abrams Falls Trailhead at the end of Abrams Falls Road between Cades Cove Loop Road sign posts 10 and 11. |
| Fee | Parking tag: $5 daily, $15 weekly, $40 annual (over 15 min). America the Beautiful passes do not replace it. |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Seasonal closure | Abrams Falls Trail closed Mondays through Thursdays Aug 24 to Sep 30, 2026 for footlog bridge replacement; open Fridays through Sundays and Labor Day during that window. |
| Managed by | National Park Service (Great Smoky Mountains National Park) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Note | Pit toilet at the trailhead, available year-round. |
Rules
| Dogs | Not allowed |
|---|
Common questions
Common questions
Is Abrams Creek open?
NPS: swimming strongly discouraged due to slippery rocks and a deadly undertow. Water recreation is not recommended park-wide; drowning is a leading cause of death in the park. As of September 28, 2026. Seasonal closure: Abrams Falls Trail closed Mondays through Thursdays Aug 24 to Sep 30, 2026 for footlog bridge replacement; open Fridays through Sundays and Labor Day during that window.
How long is the hike to Abrams Creek?
It's a 5 mi hike round trip. The road in is paved. Trailhead is on the one-way Cades Cove Loop Road; allow up to three or four hours for the loop drive in peak season. Parking: Abrams Falls Trailhead at the end of Abrams Falls Road between Cades Cove Loop Road sign posts 10 and 11.
Do you need a reservation for Abrams Creek?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at Abrams Creek?
The fee is Parking tag: $5 daily, $15 weekly, $40 annual (over 15 min). America the Beautiful passes do not replace it.
What facilities are at Abrams Creek?
Restrooms. Pit toilet at the trailhead, available year-round.
What are the rules at Abrams Creek?
Dogs are not allowed.
Nearby
Camping nearby
Public land
Abrams Creek is inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park .
Sources
3
- https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/hike-to-abrams-falls.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager / access.hikeDistanceMi, access.hikeDistanceBasis / access.amenities.restrooms, hazardNote, waterbodyName / swimmerNotes.waterType, access.roadNote)
- https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fees.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.fee, access.permitRequired)
- https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/waterfalls.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs hazardNote)
More: Tennessee swimming holes