Ramsey Cascades Trail Reopens Full-Time After Restorations

One of the most popular trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park has reopened full-time following the completion of a three-year restoration project! The Ramsey Cascades Trail project, in collaboration with the National Park Service and Friends of the Smokies, has brought significant improvements to the trail that will enhance the visitor experience. Here’s what you need to know about the Ramsey Cascades Trail reopening full-time:

About the Project

Years of wear and tear from mother nature and visitors necessitated a major restoration effort of the Ramsey Cascades Trail. A significant portion of the trail was closed in 2021 following devastation caused by heavy rains. This multi-faceted project includes the following improvements:

• New Footlong Bridges: Essential for crossing the trail’s numerous streams effectively, the new bridges improve accessibility for hikers while minimizing environmental impact. 
• Upgraded Hiker Bridge: A 20-foot bridge received new decking and handrails, providing a secure passage over the area’s rugged terrain.
• Trail Regrading: More than 2.5 miles of the trail were regraded to help prevent erosion, making the hike safer for visitors and protecting the surrounding environment.
• Over 600 New Steps: Carefully placed steps now make the steepest portions of the trail more navigable for visitors and help to prevent erosion.
• Installation of Drains: A total of 151 trail drains have been installed to help prevent washouts and flooding of the area.
• Removal of Hazards: Tripping hazards such as roots and rocks have been removed, making the trail easier for hikers of all skill levels. Overgrown vegetation has been pruned to help the trail dry during rains and improve the experience for guests.

Ramsey Cascades Trail is now open 7 days a week following the completion of these restoration efforts. The trail had been temporarily open only on Fridays to Sundays while crews worked on the project from Mondays through Thursdays.

The project was funded by the Friends of the Smokies Trails Forever Endowment. Work on the trail began in spring of 2022 but was interrupted by a flood that caused damage to parts of the trail and Greenbrier Road, temporarily delaying restoration efforts. A new 900-foot section of the hiking route was built to bypass an area washed out by flooding.

About Ramsey Cascades Trail

Located in the Greenbrier portion of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Ramsey Cascades Trail has long been a favorite of both visitors and locals alike thanks to a long list of scenic highlights. It’s home to the tallest waterfall in the park, Ramsey Cascades, checking in at roughly 100 feet with water cascading over several separate tiers of jagged rock formations.

In addition, it’s known for its stunning wildflowers during the spring months, old-growth forests, serene rivers and streams, and more. The trail stretches for about 8 miles round trip and gains more than 2,000 feet in elevation. It’s considered to be a moderately strenuous to challenging hike.

Now that the Ramsey Cascades Trail has reopened full-time, will you make plans to visit? It’s one of several can’t-miss hiking trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park!