Hike Deep Creek Trail to Indian Creek Falls
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
Creek-side rocks are slick year-round, especially near the footbridge at the Indian Creek junction. Watch your footing if you leave the main trail to get closer to either waterfall.
Deep Creek is a popular tubing area in summer — expect foot traffic and noise from the tubing put-in near the trailhead, which thins out quickly once you pass Tom Branch Falls.
Trail Details
- 1
Park early at the Deep Creek trailhead near Bryson City — the lot fills by mid-morning on summer weekends and fall color weekends. You'll need a parking tag, available online through the park's reservation system.
- 2
Bring creek shoes or sandals with grip. The benches near Indian Creek Falls sit right at the water's edge, and wading in the creek on a hot day is half the reason people come here.
- 3
For the best photos of Tom Branch Falls, shoot from the lower bench on the left side of the trail — you'll get the full cascade framed by rhododendron without other hikers in the frame.
Photos
NPS Photo
