Abrams Falls is accessible from the west side of Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Though only 20' high, it's one of the most voluminous in the Park. Abrams Creek is also a stronghold for river otters, which were extirpated in the 1920s and successfully reintroduced in the 1980s.

Abrams Falls is just 20 feet high yet pushes tremendous volume over its lip into a deep green pool

A long tailed salamander seeks refuge in the moist rock adjacent to Abrams Falls

Abrams Creek and Falls are named for local Cherokee Chief Abram - or Abraham

A black bear scans the Cades Cove area - the park has two bears per square mile and growing

View upstream of Abrams Creek from atop Abrams Falls

The long tailed salamander peers over algae from within a rock crevice

A millipede curls within the rock face at Abrams Falls

Abrams Falls is one of the park's most popular destinations - arrive early to avoid crowds

With virtually no natural predators in the Smokies - deer flourish throughout the park

From atop the falls looking down at the large pool at the base of the falls

Climbing the falls is worthwhile but very dangerous - a rope is provided for help

Abrams Falls is nestled within a hemlock forest filled with rhododendron and ferns

Blackberries grow above the falls - providing food for area fauna

Rock bars run perpendicular to Abrams Creek - diverting water and creating miniature islands

Looking across the wide let-out pool of Abrams Falls

Red Pine bark easily identified by its rust color

In 2011 a massive tornado decimated the Abrams Falls Trail resulting in a temporary closure to clear debris - the trail is now open

Abrams Creek rushes over the falls

Abrams Falls is accessible in the Cades Cove area - one of the few wide open spaces in the Smokies