After three years of construction, Great Smoky Mountains National Park celebrated the reopening of Ramsey Cascades Trail.
Located in the Greenbrier area of the park, this popular trail ascends for four miles through beautiful hardwood forests to the 105-foot Ramsey Cascades, the tallest waterfall in the park.
The extensive reconstruction was hindered in summer 2022 by a flood event that required constructing an extra 900+ feet of trail to bypass the washed-out section.
The National Park Service sought to restore the Ramsey Cascades Trail in a way that echoed the original and blended with the landscape. According to the official release, trail crew members used natural materials and hand tools and transported most equipment by hand or pack mule.
Improvements to the Ramsey Cascades Trail include installing two new bridges and new handrails, removing of tripping hazards, regrading the trail surface and pruning overgrown vegetation.
“Together we’ve preserved and rehabilitated trails that enhance the recreational experience of millions of visitors,” Boone Vandzura, Acting Deputy Superintendent.
State of trails after Hurricane Helene
Because the Ramsey Cascades Trail is located in Tennessee on the western half of the park, construction was not hindered by Hurricane Helene flooding.
Many areas on the eastern side of the park in North Carolina are still closed. Trails in the Ocanaluftee, Cataloochee, and Big Creek Areas, as well as multiple backcountry camping sites and trails, are still being accessed for damage. Visitors planning to hike in the Smokies are encouraged (as always) to check the park website and/or talk to staff in visitor centers or the backcountry office about current trail conditions.
