I’ll be honest, Tennessee was not my first choice of vacation. Unfortunately, my originally-planned cruise was cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and I only had a few weeks to come up with a Plan B. But by the end of the trip, I did not want to leave! This gorgeous area of the country has so much more to offer than I realized, and I will certainly be returning to explore more one day.
Why Visit?
Many national parks are tough to get to because they are far from major cities or commercial airports, but that is not the case with the Great Smoky Mountains. The park is just 45 minutes from Knoxville, TN (TYS) and Asheville, NC (AVL). If you’re willing to drive a little further so you can fly direct or potentially save money, Atlanta, GA (ATL) is only three hours away, and Charlotte, NC (CLT) is a three and a half.
The ease of access certainly contributes to Great Smoky Mountains being the #1 visited national park in the US, but that’s not the only reason it’s popular. Lush, green forests, endless mountain peaks, and countless waterfalls make this park a gem to explore for locals and travelers alike.
Plus, the mountain range is only a few thousand feet above sea level in most areas. The altitude isn’t as much of a barrier to hiking and exploring as it is in higher elevation ranges like the Rockies, which opens up more opportunities for adventuring.
One Day in the Park
Even if you only have one day, you can still pack in a ton of sightseeing and get a great overview of the area.
Take a Scenic Drive
Head down US-441 S (aka Newfound Gap Road), stopping to admire the sweeping views at as many of the scenic overlooks as you’d like. Pack a picnic and stop at Chimneys Picnic Area (near the Chimney Tops Trail) for lunch.
Drive down to Clingmans Dome and take the short but steep walk (1.2 miles round trip; 331 ft elevation gain) to the top for a 360-degree view of the Smokies. If you can find cell service, check the NPS webcam before visiting, as the view is often covered in clouds, even when lower elevations in the park are perfectly clear.
Note: This road is closed December through April.
Look for Wildlife
Head back north on US-441 towards Gatlinburg (follow signs for Gatlinburg Bypass), and drive east to Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. This 5.5 mile, one-way road takes visitors through the forest and past rushing mountain streams. Keep an eye out for black bears, especially if you’re there near dusk (or in the early morning).
Explore Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg itself can be a little overwhelming. It’s crowded and very touristy, and it can be tough to find parking (if you aren’t staying downtown, expect to pay to park). The area that’s worth a visit simply for its uniqueness is The Village Shops. This quaint little corner, designed to look like a European town, is perfect for an evening stroll.
Try a Local Restaurant
Grab dinner at DeLauder’s BBQ (CASH ONLY). This no-frills spot just outside of downtown is a local favorite. It’s only open Thursday evenings and for lunch and dinner Friday through Sunday, but if your schedule allows, it’s worth the stop.
Two Days in the Park
Add: A visit to Cades Cove and a scenic drive on the Foothills Parkway
Visit Cades Cove
From Gatlinburg, drive about an hour to Cades Cove Loop Road. Drive or bike this 11-mile, single-lane road, and pass through gorgeous valleys and forested areas. Keep your eyes open for wildlife, especially deer and black bears.
Along the road, there are several historical cabins and churches to explore, or you can simply enjoy the scenery. This blog post from Visit My Smokies gives a great description of each site.
If you are driving, traffic can move incredibly slowly. I thought it was an exaggeration when I read that the drive can take an average of three hours to complete – spoiler alert, it was not an exaggeration!
Note: The road is gated and is closed to vehicles on certain days. Check the NPS website for opening days/times prior to visiting.
Hike Abrams Falls
Almost halfway around Cades Cove Loop Road, the trail to Abrams Falls is 4.9 miles round trip with a 629ft elevation gain (be prepared to walk both uphill and downhill in both directions).
We missed the turnoff for the parking lot, so we parked at the Visitors Center rather than the trail head. This adds a little over a mile to the total distance, and you can walk along the road or through a small forest trail (ask the Park Rangers for more information). The falls are spectacular and well-worth the hike.
Take a Detour for Great Views
Head up US-321 toward Walland until you reach Foothills Parkway. Head east on the parkway toward Wears Valley to experience incredible vistas that led a former Park Ranger to describe this road as her favorite undiscovered section of the park.
Three Days in the Park
Add: Zip lining and choice of white water rafting or hiking
Go Zip Lining
While there are numerous outfitters in this area, we picked CLIMB Works because of their glowing reviews. As it turns out, this company actually helped design and build many of the other courses in the area!
About 30 minutes east of Gatlinburg, the Mountaintop course begins with an ATV ride up the mountain and includes several staircases and sky bridges. Even through fog, the views seemed endless, and the zip lines were thrilling (especially the 1600-ft line!).
CLIMB Works also offers the Treetop course, which has larger number of shorter zip lines. Having trouble deciding? Check out the comparison chart here.
Take a White Water Rafting or Float Trip
If you’re interested in both zip lining and rafting, CLIMB Works and Smoky Mountain Outdoors offer a combo package for zip lining and rafting on the Pigeon River (the package gives a solid discount compared to the cost of each activity individually).
The Upper Pigeon River is for adrenaline-seekers (class III and IV rapids), while the family-friendly Lower Pigeon River offers a scenic float.
Hike To and Swim At a Waterfall
If rafting isn’t your thing, the trail to Mouse Creek Falls is a little over half an hour east of the zip line course. It’s a bit of a hike, at 5.7 miles round trip and 813 ft of elevation gain, but swimming at the base of the falls sounds wonderfully refreshing, especially on a hot, summer day.
Four or More Days in the Park
Add: More hiking; another day of rafting; mountain adventure park; relaxation
Explore More Trails
If you love to hike, you could easily spend weeks exploring some of the 800 miles of trails in the park. I loved the Chimney Tops Trail – at 4.5 miles round trip and 1358ft elevation gain, this was a fairly tough hike for me, but the view was worth the climb.
Note: The trail now stops at a beautiful overlook and is closed past that due to damage from forest fires. Please respect trail closures for your safety.
A few trails on my to-do list for my next visit:
- Easier: Grotto Falls (2.6 miles; 534ft elevation gain) – off of Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, this trail features a waterfall that hikers can walk behind
- Moderate: Rainbow Falls (5.5 miles; 1,653ft elevation gain) – also off of Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, this is one of the most popular trails in the park and leads to an 80-ft waterfall
- Challenging: Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte (10.6 miles; 2,919ft elevation gain) – near Clingmans Dome, this tough hike gives unbeatable views on a clear day
Take A(nother) Raft Trip
If you chose Mouse Creek Falls over the Pigeon River, or if you just can’t get enough of white water rafting, head down to Bryson City, NC to raft the Nantahala River (class I-II with one class III drop at the end) through Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC). Note: NOC also offers a combo zip/raft package.
Fuel Up with a Mouthwatering Breakfast
Head back to Gatlinburg early one morning for breakfast at The Pancake Pantry (CASH ONLY). The wait can get long, even on weekdays, so go early or be prepared to wait… but it’s worth it!
Visit a Mountain Adventure Park
Anakeesta and Ober Gatlinburg both offer scenic lifts and on-mountain activities. Anakeesta’s activities are more nature-centered, while Ober Gatlinburg has more of a carnival feel (and is pricier).
Gatlinburg SkyLift Park is home to the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, which gives brave visitors a great view of the mountains. Note: I didn’t get the chance to visit any of these parks during my trip, but I didn’t feel like I missed out.
Relax
With so many places to explore and activities to do, it can be difficult to build time into a vacation just to rest. I wish I would have stayed at least a week instead of only five nights so I could have spent more time sitting on the balcony of our cabin, relaxing, looking for wildlife, and enjoying the scenery.
Where to Stay
If you only have a day or two in the area, staying near downtown Gatlinburg will cut off quite a bit of driving time. There are plenty of cabins and hotels in the area.
If you’re staying a little longer, check out Little Valley Mountain Resort in Seiverville (about half an hour north of Gatlinburg). With cabins housing between one and 16 individuals, you’re sure to find one that’s right for your group (and some are pet-friendly as well). The resort offers plenty of (free!) activities like tennis, basketball (half court), swimming, fishing in a stocked pond, miniature golf, and more. All equipment is complimentary for guest use.
The cabins feel appropriately secluded and offer incredible views of the surrounding forest. Many have multiple balconies and outdoor hot tubs so you can relax and take in the scenery. You may even spot a black bear – during our five-day stay, we saw two bears from our balcony and four more while driving around the resort.
When to Go
Visit between April and October for the best outdoor adventure weather. Summer is the most popular time to visit, and although it can get hot and humid, this did not detract from my experience.
From mid-September through the end of October, the lush rainforest transforms into brilliant shades or red, orange, and yellow. You won’t find much solitude out in the park though, as you’ll be joining crowds of other leaf-peepers.
Keep in Mind
Connectivity – Be aware that most areas of the park do not have cell service. Download maps to your phone (or pick up a paper copy) before heading out to ensure you do not lose your way.
Weather – Mountain weather is notoriously difficult to predict. Be prepared for at least a little bit of rain, but don’t let that derail your plans (unless safety is a factor). Pack an umbrella, rain jacket, and waterproof hiking boots, and you’re all set.
With so many opportunities to enjoy nature, this breathtaking spot earned high marks in my book, despite being my “Plan B.” Whether you’re in town for a quick trip or staying for a few weeks, you’re sure to fall in love with the Great Smoky Mountains.
