For those wanting a longer trail with beautiful waterfalls and cascades, you'll love the Middle Prong Trail to Indian Flat Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! It is a great trail for beginners wanting to get their feet wet in some harder hikes without it being too much of a challenge.
One of the best trails in the Smokies is the Middle Prong Trail. The trail passes three major waterfalls, in addition to numerous smaller falls, cataracts and cascades.
Once you've parked, you'll start at the trail head and immediately see your first cascade. From the trailhead hikers will cross a metal footbridge over Lynn Camp Prong. Over the course of the first couple of miles you should keep an eye out for a tremendous amount of wildflowers that are in bloom during spring and early summer.
At four-tenths of a mile from the trailhead you'll reach the Lower Lynn Camp Falls. This 35-foot, multi-tiered waterfall is one of the more impressive falls in the park, especially during the rainy months of the year.
Shortly after passing the upper portions of Lower Lynn Camp Falls, look for a small cove that leads to a rocky area on your left. This very short sidetrack provides a view of an impressive cataract hidden from the main trail.
Roughly two-thirds of a mile in, you'll reach Lynn Camp Falls, another beautiful, multi-tiered waterfall.
At roughly 3.5 to 4 miles hikers will cross a footbridge over Indian Flats Prong. Just before reaching this bridge you'll cross two smaller creeks without having a footbridge, so be careful.
A hike of less than one-tenth of a mile will lead you to the base of the top tier of Indian Flats Falls. In total, the waterfall drops roughly 60 feet in three separate tiers, with the top tier dropping roughly 20 feet. The middle tier is located near the end of the trail. You'll have to look closely downstream to see the lower tier.
As always, practice Leave No Trace and take out all trash you have.