LAUREL FALLS TRAIL | Great Smoky Mountains National Park | National Park Waterfalls

[@davepov]

Nicely done, short but appropriately so for this simple hike. I have now retired and moved to Maryville. This is going to me my first hike in the Smokeys, August 27th! I'm very excited. I will be shooting my own video for KZbin from the perspective of a 70 year old hiker.

[@jenniferbrown4459]

Been to Laurel Falls twice and cant wait to go back. Absolutely beautiful.

[@CampTravelExplore]

One of our favorites! Did you ever do Spruce Flats falls while there?

[@zahidbutt8336]

Miss Brown. I am Zahid butt and I have my comment /deep concern above. Please comment to it so that I can decide if I will be able to visit it or it is going to be difficult for me.

[@johnbender49]

Was here with my family a few years ago. Going back to The Smokies next week, for vacation by myself for my birthday. Stoked

[@CampTravelExplore]

So great, hope you get to take the falls in!! Enjoy!

[@AmericasParks]

You always do such a nice job explaining these hikes for would-be visitors. I was thinking to myself as I was watching this - I couldn't think of half the things Tom talks about!

[@CampTravelExplore]

Lol, thanks Randy! We are learning from each other I think because I say the same thing watching yours sometimes , angles and different things! Always appreciate your feedback!

[@mkt1847]

I personally liked other water fall hikes better in the smokies like Rainbow and Grotto Falls. Laurel Falls is an easier, short and very accessible trail but I found it to crowded and its hardly a hike walking on a paved trail. Also the other water falls were prettier in my opinion. Laurel Falls is the hike everyone does and it is worth doing if you want short and easy and when you have multiple days and time, but if not I would skip for some of the other water fall hikes.

[@NationalParkWild]

This really makes me want to visit the park again. Really beautiful footage. Nice work.

[@CampTravelExplore]

Thank You so much for that feedback, we really appreciate it!!

[@tomgnau]

We visited in late July. It was unbelievably crowded, and finding a parking spot was a real challenge. The park is instituting paid reservations for parking, and that should help. But definitely try to visit very early in the morning.

[@CampTravelExplore]

I have heard about the possible reservation idea there. We always recommend these hikes as early as possible to beat the crowds!! Thanks for checking it out for us!

[@wildernessgirl7300]

This one is on my list! Excellent video! Thank you 😊

[@CampTravelExplore]

Its the most visited Waterfall at The Great Smoky Mountains National Park I heard. TY for the kind words also!!

[@ruabadkitty]

That waterfall!!

[@CampTravelExplore]

Its a heavily trafficked one, I would go early early early to have more time with less people next time.

[@GoneWanderingWild]

Very nice! I need to get back to the Smokies!!

[@CampTravelExplore]

Yes, we want to try going there with snow this next year! Thanks for checking it out!

[@SanchayanTheCollection]

Wonderful upload , heart-touching , full of creativity and so relaxing .go ahead my friend ! You have a long way to go.God bless you.welcome.❤️😊

[@CampTravelExplore]

Thank You for the kind feedback!!

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Great tips. We loved this waterfall when we were there in the summer. We have so much footage and haven’t made videos about them. I just can’t seem to find the time. Alice

[@CampTravelExplore]

It was fun climbing down to the bottom to check it out!!

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

@@CampTravelExplore Yes. Less crowded too 😅

[@dennysisk6260]

Looks like a pretty area

[@CampTravelExplore]

Very much so, thanks for checking it out for us!

[@tonijohnson6335]

I'm wondering how many hours and how many miles you hiked each of the three days in the park?

[@Bsnyddd]

How intense is that incline? I used to hike but it’s been a while. I don’t know if I’m in the best shape for a heavy incline but I’d love to go see this!

[@CampTravelExplore]

It wasn't terrible, but here is what we do and I would encourage you to do the same to be sure. We go on alltrails.com, you can put the Laurel Falls trail right in their search bar, and it will show you the exact elevation gain as well as the degree of difficulty! I research all the hikes we did ahead just like that ourselves!! Hope we helped a bit!

[@christinawilliams3746]

Looks a little like the back area of Augusta Canal where spillway is

[@CampTravelExplore]

It's a cool waterfall and the climb down to the base is really beautiful!!

[@yoursola]

Great footage... Thanks! What video camera were you using? Gosh it was good!!!!

[@CampTravelExplore]

Would you believe I shot the whole episode on my iphone 11?

[@yoursola]

@@CampTravelExplore WOW... Insane💪💪

[@pigybak]

the hardest one to find parking

[@CampTravelExplore]

You know, for those who read comments to plan, and I know people do, listen to this, get out on this one early if possible! It was the toughest to park at by far! Thanks so much for sharing this point, we could have done better in the episode I think pointing it out!

[@zohaibali9899]

Is it toddlers friendly with a stroller?

[@CampTravelExplore]

We saw plenty of strollers there the day we were hiking, just keep in mind the path is quite bumpy, but I would say worth it!

[@zahidbutt8336]

I am a senior 73 with a slightly weak left knee but I can easily walk few miles on a normal trail but climbing stairs have to slow down. Can I do this trail.Also the video maker talks about stream/water crossings. Do we step into water ? Please elaborate. thanks to assist so that i can go fearlessly in mid june on this trail.

[@CampTravelExplore]

You don't have to step in to water at all. There are some places to stop and rest along the way as well to help you. I think if you just take your time you would be just fine. I mention in the video that it was paved but it was uneven, so just watch this on the walk. If you go to alltrails.com , you can pull this hike up as well, and that is what we use to gauge the trails for us and it will show you the hardest sections in elevation gain so you are prepared. We are in our mid 50's so we scout all of these ourselves as well! Feel free to ask us anything if we can help! Oh, get there early as parking fills up quickly!!

[@zahidbutt8336]

@@CampTravelExplore Thanks a million fir your explicit and encouraging explanation. Definitely will do this fall along with cataract. How early is early like 730 am or even more early? Need more assistance from you. Your advice on Elkmont natural trail - doable? Looks it is? Spruce flats falls-looks difficult. Needs your advice too? Many thanks

[@CampTravelExplore]

Early like at least 8:00 and that would have less people in your way also! Spruce Flats falls was more difficult, and we have a video on it if you want to check out that hike we did there!! We did not do the Elkmont nature trail, so dont have any insight there. The grotto Falls trail was nice and if you take it slow, might be good. We have a video out on that one too! We actually have a playlist on our channel for Great Smoky Mountain National Park, have you seen it by chance? Some great videos that may help you!!

[@karentrejo1714]

How long is this hike? Thinking of doing it with my 7 year old! Thank you for explaining. This was the perfect video of getting feel for this hike. I have been researching family friendly hikes.

[@CampTravelExplore]

It is 2.4 miles roundtrip and an elevation gain of 400ft. We saw plenty of young children doing it, but it would be around 1 1/2 to 2 hours i believe. It is a good Family Friendly hike! Thank You for checking it out and let us know how you liked it after!!

[@bertkelly7650]

Where's the bear you said you saw?

[@CampTravelExplore]

There is a clip early on where the words pop up, Bear Sighting! Right above the exclamation point is the bear. He was about a 1/4 of the way in to the trail and there was a path to the left near him we could have gotten a bit closer but we decided to go on to the waterfall. If you travel there though, it was definitely the spot on that trail I believe you would see them regularly. Sorry thats a long response but I hope I helped in case you are going there sometime :)

[@willseitmanmusic]

Been here and almost fell lol.

[@CampTravelExplore]

This one does have some opportunities for falling in several different places, right? I almost slipped coming back up from the lower falls lol.

[@D-A-1776]

Take a gun or at least bear spray here had an angry momma bear encounter

[@CampTravelExplore]

Bear spray!

[@D-A-1776]

@CampTravelExplore . Bear spray failed me once always take a gun. Had to use mine against a black bear not here but somewhere else

[@D-A-1776]

​@@CampTravelExplore . There's nothing bad about carrying a gun to protect yourself I'd rather be sure I'm coming out alive than end up bear scat