Laurel Falls Trail Reopening Delayed Until 2027 in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

If Laurel Falls was on your Smoky Mountain itinerary for 2026, you'll need to make other plans.

The National Park Service now expects Laurel Falls Trail to reopen sometime in 2027 after crews encountered unexpected geotechnical conditions during construction of the new lower viewing platform. The discovery requires modifications to the project's design and extends a closure that had previously been expected to end in 2026.

No specific reopening date in 2027 has been announced.

Laurel Falls Closure: Quick Answers

Is Laurel Falls Trail open? No. Laurel Falls Trail remains closed for rehabilitation.

When will Laurel Falls reopen? The National Park Service now anticipates reopening the trail sometime in 2027.

Why was the reopening delayed? Crews encountered different geotechnical conditions than expected while constructing the lower viewing platform, requiring design modifications.

Can you still hike part of Laurel Falls Trail? No. The trail is closed from the trailhead on Fighting Creek Gap Road to the junction with Little Greenbrier and Cove Mountain trails.

Are there other closures nearby? Yes. Sugarlands Mountain Trail is closed from its Fighting Creek Gap Road trailhead to the junction with Huskey Gap Trail.

Why Has the Laurel Falls Reopening Been Delayed?

The delay is connected to work on the new viewing area at Laurel Falls.

According to the National Park Service, construction crews encountered geotechnical conditions beneath the lower viewing platform that differed from what had been anticipated. Those conditions require modifications to the design before the project can be completed.

The park has not announced a more specific reopening date beyond sometime in 2027.

That's an important change for anyone planning a Smoky Mountain vacation because earlier information about the project pointed toward a 2026 reopening.

Laurel Falls Has Been Closed Since January 2025

Laurel Falls Trail closed on January 6, 2025, for a major rehabilitation project.

At the time, the National Park Service expected the work to require approximately 18 months, which would have put the reopening in 2026. The newly announced 2027 timeline extends the closure beyond that original estimate.

The project is much more extensive than routine trail maintenance.

More than 300,000 people hike Laurel Falls Trail each year, according to the National Park Service, making it one of the most heavily visited trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Years of heavy use contributed to deterioration of the trail and significant congestion around the falls and trailhead.

What Is the National Park Service Changing at Laurel Falls?

When Laurel Falls eventually reopens, visitors should notice significant changes.

The rehabilitation project includes:

• New viewing platforms at Laurel Falls
• Improvements designed to reduce hazards and improve visitor flow around the falls
• Widening portions of the trail
• Repaving the deteriorated asphalt trail surface
• New signs and educational panels
• Improvements to the trailhead and parking areas
• Approximately 50 additional parking spaces
• A designated pedestrian pathway with a guardrail connecting parking areas to the trailhead

The existing asphalt trail was first paved in 1963 and had developed rough, uneven, cracked, and missing sections that required frequent repairs.

The larger project is intended to address both the condition of the trail and the crowding that had become common at Laurel Falls.

You can read more about the Laurel Falls Trail rehabilitation project from the National Park Service.

What Part of Laurel Falls Trail Is Closed?

The closure isn't limited to the waterfall viewing area.

The National Park Service currently lists Laurel Falls Trail as closed from the trailhead on Fighting Creek Gap Road to the junction with Little Greenbrier and Cove Mountain trails.

There is also a related closure on Sugarlands Mountain Trail from its trailhead on Fighting Creek Gap Road to the junction with Huskey Gap Trail.

Visitors should not attempt to enter Laurel Falls Trail from another direction to reach the falls.

For the latest information before your visit, check the National Park Service's current road, facility, trail, and backcountry updates.

What to Do Instead of Laurel Falls

Laurel Falls may be one of the best-known waterfalls near Gatlinburg, but it's far from the only waterfall you can visit in the Smokies.

If you were planning to hike Laurel Falls during an upcoming trip, consider one of these alternatives.

Cataract Falls

If you're looking for something short and easy near Gatlinburg, Cataract Falls is one of the simplest alternatives.

The waterfall is accessible by a short walk from the Sugarlands Visitor Center area, making it particularly convenient for families with young children or visitors who don't want a longer hike.

Don't expect something comparable in size to Laurel Falls, but it's an easy way to add a waterfall to your day.

Hen Wallow Falls

For visitors who don't mind a longer hike, Hen Wallow Falls offers a much more substantial trail experience.

The waterfall is reached from the Gabes Mountain Trail in the Cosby area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The hike is roughly 4.7 miles round trip, so it's a considerably bigger commitment than Laurel Falls.

Baskins Creek Falls

Baskins Creek Falls is another waterfall option near Gatlinburg, accessible from the Roaring Fork area.

The hike is more strenuous than Laurel Falls, with elevation changes that you'll feel on the return trip. It's a better fit for visitors looking for an actual hike rather than a short walk to a waterfall.

Little River Trail

If the waterfall itself wasn't the only reason you wanted to hike Laurel Falls, Little River Trail in Elkmont is another good option.

The trail follows the Little River through a beautiful forested section of the park and offers plenty of rushing water and mountain scenery along the way.

Middle Prong Trail

On the Townsend side of the Smokies, Middle Prong Trail follows an old railroad grade alongside cascades, rushing water, and remnants of the area's logging history.

It's particularly useful because you don't have to complete the entire trail to enjoy it. You can hike as far as you'd like before turning around.

Planning a Smoky Mountain Trip in 2026 or 2027?

If you've seen older articles, social posts, videos, or travel guides saying Laurel Falls will reopen in 2026, that information is now outdated.

As of the National Park Service's latest update, the current expectation is:

Laurel Falls Trail will remain closed until sometime in 2027.

There is not yet a specific reopening date.

That could change as construction progresses, so anyone planning a 2027 trip should check the National Park Service's current conditions before assuming the trail has reopened.

Stay Up to Date With the Smokies

Trail closures, road conditions, weather, events, and attraction updates can change quickly in the Smoky Mountains.

That's one of the reasons we're building SmokiesApp.

SmokiesApp is designed to make it easier to discover what's happening around Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, Townsend, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including hikes, attractions, events, deals, local businesses, and important updates that could affect your trip.

We'll continue following the Laurel Falls rehabilitation project and update our coverage when the National Park Service announces a more specific reopening timeline.

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