Deep Creek Loop

Bryson City, North Carolina

5.0/5

based on 2 reviews

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Details

Distance

5.01 miles

Elevation Gain

892 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Brian Whitener

The Deep Creek Loop Trail near Bryson City, NC is a nice hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are three waterfalls and a beautiful stream along the trip. There are many opportunities for camping, horseback riding, and fishing here as well. Bryson City, NC is only a few miles away.

After parking in the Deep Creek Campground parking lot follow the signs for the Deep Creek Trailhead. The Tom Branch waterfall is just .3 miles on the right side. Hike another .5 miles, at the next intersection stay right, and you will approach Indian Creek Falls. After viewing the falls you can choose to continue straight up the Indian Creek Trail or go back down to the intersection and journey to Juney Whank Falls via the Three Waterfalls Loop trail. Three waterfalls loop is 2.2 miles and the Indian Creek Loop is 4.5 miles with a slight elevation change. The trails are marked very well with mileage along with a map at the trailhead.

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Features

Fitness

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Hiking

Bathrooms

Forest

Picnic Area

River

Scenic

Waterfall

Wildflowers

Wildlife

Swimming Hole

Reviews

PRO

Lucas Bremer

PRO

Deep Creek Loop

07/14/20

Bryson City and the surrounding area of the park is just as if not more beautiful than other pets, but with a lot less crowds of those adjacent to gatlinburg.

5.0

Explorer

Jess Fischer

Explorer

Deep Creek Loop

05/19/17

This hike is great but it's also amazing for fly fishing. Hike a mile or two up the trail to get away from the crowds and get in the river. Native rainbows can be found but will be tough to catch. Multiple waterfalls along the hike are a perk as well. Really wonderful area, but can get crowded on weekends. Also on a hot summer day you can rent tubes from nearby and float down the lower half of the river.

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Hike the Juney Whank Falls Loop

Starting at the Deep Creek Trailhead, take a short walk until the trail meets up with Juney Whank Falls Trail. From here, hang a left and head onto the Juney Whank Falls Trail. Once you've reached the falls, continue the loop to get back to the trailhead. The falls are said to be named after Mr. Junaluska "Juney" Whank who is believed to be buried in the area. Please no dogs on this trail.

Hike to Tom Branch and Indian Creek Falls

From the Deep Creek Trailhead, you can hike to both waterfalls heading up the Deep Creek Trail. You will come across Tom Branch Falls quickly, after 0.2 miles. Once you've had your fill of Tom Branch, head further along the Deep Creek Trail for another 0.5 miles. Turn right on the Indian Creek Trail and hike for 0.1 miles until you reach Indian Creek Falls. On your return, you can head back ...

Hike Three Waterfalls Loop

Start the loop by hiking the Juney Whank Falls Trail to Juney Whank Falls. The footbridge across the creek makes an excellent place to rest and take in the falls. Follow the trail across the bridge and up the bank. After about 300 feet take a right and follow Deep Creek Horse Trail towards Deep Creek Trail. After intersecting with Deep Creek Trail turn left and walk about half a mile passing T...

Deep Creek to Clingmans Dome Loop

This is a ~36 mile loop that goes up Clingman's Dome (the tallest point in Tennessee). Pretty challenging, not for the novice backpacker. Park at Deep Creek campground in Bryson City, NC. We did it as a 3-day, 2-night camping at sites 53 and 61. As it is a loop it could easily be done in reverse. You need to obtain camping permits from the Smokies website. The campground is a very popular one, ...

Hike to Lonesome Pine Overlook

To start the hike to Lonesome Pine Overlook begin from the Noland Divide Trailhead in Deep Creek. The trail is a steady climb with an average gain of 700 ft. every mile. Approaching the top you'll walk along a rocky ridge line where you are able to see the overlook. As you continue, be sure to look closely for the spur trail out to the overlook because the sign has fallen over. From the overlo...

Explore Old 288 and the Lands Creek Bridge

NC 288 was constructed in the 1920's, but did not last long with the construction of the Fontana Dam as the resulting lake covered the highway. The U.S. government entered an agreement in which they would provide a replacement road, but to this day it has not been completed and is know by locals as the Road to Nowhere. The consequence of the dam upon the highway and communities within the area ...

Deep Creek Loop

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Leave No Trace

Nearby

Hike the Juney Whank Falls Loop

Hike to Tom Branch and Indian Creek Falls

Hike Three Waterfalls Loop

Deep Creek to Clingmans Dome Loop

Hike to Lonesome Pine Overlook

Explore Old 288 and the Lands Creek Bridge

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