Chasteen Creek Falls

Hike Description: Begin on Bradley Fork Trail at the gate. The trail is an old park auto road that follows the lazy Bradley Fork, so it’s wide and has easy grades. At 1.18 miles, you’ll come to a fork. Turn right on Chasteen Creek Trail. You’ll soon pass a backcountry campsite. At 0.18 mile from the fork, you’ll cross Chasteen Creek on a wide footbridge. About 0.5 mile from the bridge, take the side trail that forks left. After passing a horse-hitching rail, continue on a path heading upstream. You’ll reach the falls 0.1 mile from Chasteen Creek Trail.

Overview: Chasteen Creek Falls won’t win awards for height or beauty, but it’s scenic, easily accessible, and located at the end of a terrific hike. If you’re a wildflower lover and happen to make this hike in the second half of April, you might never reach the falls. For persons staying at Smokemont Campground, this is a great family outing.
Those looking for something more challenging can combine a visit to the waterfall with a terrific loop hike featuring much of what makes the Smokies famous. From the falls side trail, continue on Chasteen Creek Trail to Hughes Ridge Trail. Follow it to Bradley Fork Trail, then take Bradley Fork Trail back to the trailhead. At 17.2 miles, it’s a killer day hike. You could make the trip as a difficult one-night backpack by camping at backcountry campsite #48, located about 1.5 miles from Chasteen Creek Falls. A better option is a two-night backpack utilizing campsite #50 on the Cabin Flats Trail spur. This is one of the better two-night backpacking trips in the park. Study a trail map for this and other hiking options in the area.

Directions to Location:

1.  From Cherokee, drive north into Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Newfound Gap Road (US 441)
2.  You’ll pass Oconaluftee Visitor Center
3.  Continue 3.1 miles, then turn right at the sign for Smokemont Campground
4.  Turn left after crossing the Oconaluftee River and drive into the campground
5.  Follow the road to its farthest point in section D and park at the end of the loop
6.  If all the spaces are full, continue around the loop and park in one of the spaces on the other side of the campground
7.  In winter, sections C and D of the campground are closed, so you’ll have to circle around section B and leave your vehicle in the hiker parking area
8.  This adds 0.34 mile to the hike.

Trails and Waterfalls can be dangerous; take no chances, only photos for memories. Read our Safety and Insider tips to have a safe, fun and enjoyable trip to Jackson County.

Leave No Trace — Seven Principles

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

For more details, visit www.lnt.org
©1999 by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics