Hiker Dies in Fall from Ramsey Cascades Waterfall in Smokies

A man has died after falling from the top of the Ramsey Cascades Waterfall, the tallest waterfall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

On Sunday, May 28, 2017, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Rangers received a report that a 37-year-old male fell from the top of the 100-foot tall Ramsey Cascades waterfall late that afternoon. The man, who was hiking alone, was observed climbing across the top of the waterfall before he fell. Park rangers immediately responded to the scene and determined the individual, who had fallen approximately 80 feet, was deceased. Rangers recovered the body on Monday, May 29. The name of the individual is being withheld until family notifications have been made.

A view from the top of the Ramsey Cascades Waterfall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

A warning sign at Ramsey Cascades Waterfall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The 4-mile hike to Ramsey Cascades begins from the Ramsey Cascades Trailhead located in the Greenbrier area of the park. The trail reopened in April after repairs were completed to a foot log damaged by a fallen tree last August. For more information about the area, please visit the park website https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/ramsey-cascades.htm.