Josh Shapiro, Trails Forever supervisor, cuts the ribbon for Ramsey Cascades Trail / NPS

The National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with Friends of the Smokies, has completed a three-year restoration of the Ramsey Cascades Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This popular trail, located in the Greenbrier area, winds through stunning hardwood forests and leads to the 105-foot Ramsey Cascades, the park’s tallest waterfall. A big section of the trail was destroyed in 2021 following heavy rains and was closed indefinitely.

Following an extensive rebuild, the trail is now open to the public seven days a week.

The milestone was celebrated today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the trailhead. After remarks from NPS and Friends of the Smokies leaders, attendees enjoyed a hike along the newly restored trail.

The trail’s restoration included major improvements:

• Two new footlog bridges and updated decking and handrails on a 20-foot hiker bridge.
• Installation of 151 trail drains and more than 600 new steps to enhance safety and prevent erosion.
• Regrading of 2.5 miles of trail for improved drainage and safety.
• Removal of tripping hazards like roots and rocks and pruning of overgrown vegetation to improve the hiking experience.

The work preserved the trail’s original design while blending it seamlessly into the natural landscape. Crews used hand tools and natural materials, transporting supplies by hand, mule, and even helicopter for inaccessible areas. The project utilized 1,200 black locust logs and 760,000 pounds of rock crush for stabilization.

“Trails Forever is a shining example of how our partnership with Friends of the Smokies supports the park,” said Acting Deputy Superintendent Boone Vandzura. “Together, we’re enhancing the recreational experience for millions of visitors while preserving these trails for the future.”

The project was made possible by the Friends of the Smokies Trails Forever Endowment, which funds expert trail crews for projects like this. To date, the endowment has contributed nearly $4 million, supporting the rehabilitation of iconic trails like Abrams Falls, Trillium Gap, Rainbow Falls, Alum Cave, Chimney Tops, and Forney Ridge.

Dana Soehn, President and CEO of Friends of the Smokies, emphasized the broader impact of the work: “This isn’t just about creating sustainable trails—it’s about inviting future generations to experience the beauty of Ramsey Prong just as we do today.”

The project, which began in spring 2022, faced challenges, including a flood that summer that washed out portions of the trail and Greenbrier Road, delaying work. Crews not only repaired the damage but also built a new 900-foot section of trail to bypass the washed-out area. Youth crews from the American Conservation Experience and Southeast Conservation Corps, along with 110 volunteers who contributed over 1,800 hours, played a critical role in completing the project.

Looking ahead, the NPS and Friends of the Smokies will begin a two-year restoration of the Bull Head Trail to Mount Le Conte in 2025.