Great Smoky Mountains National Park

North Carolina, United States
 (19 votes, 20 reviews)
Whether you delight in the challenge of a strenuous hike to the crest of a mountain or prefer to sit quietly and watch the sun set, Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers a myriad of activities for you to enjoy. The hardest part may be choosing which auto tour, trail, waterfall, overlook, or historic area to explore!
Activities
Auto Touring - An auto tour of the park offers a chance to see panoramic vistas, rushing mountain streams, weathered historic buildings, and majestic forests stretching to the horizon. Inexpensive booklets are available to serve as your personal tour guides along many park roads.

Bicycling - Ride through Cades Cove on a misty summer morning for a truly memorable way to experience the park.

Camping - Escape into the Smokies wilderness for a backpacking adventure or opt for a tamer excursion in one of the park's developed campgrounds.

Fishing - Anglers can match their skills against wily brook, brown, and rainbow trout on over 700 miles of fishable streams in the park.

Hiking - Choose from over 800 miles of trails ranging from quiet walkways to multi-day backpacking treks through the backcountry.

Historic Buildings - The park has one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Nearly 80 historic structures—homes, barns, churches, schools, and grist mills—have been preserved in the park.

Horseback Riding - The park has hundreds of miles of horse trails and five drive-in horse camps. If you don't own a horse, four rental stables provide mounts and guides.

Picnicking - Craving hotdogs, potato salad, water melon... and ants? There are eleven picnic areas to choose from in the park—many have pavilions that can be reserved in advance.

Waterfalls - Waterfalls can be found on nearly every river and stream in the park. Here's your guide to some of the best.

Wildflowers - Great Smoky Mountains National park is known as the "wildflower national park." You can find blooming plants year-round here, but spring and summer are renown for spectacular displays of wildflowers along roads and trails.

Wildlife Viewing - Hoping to see an elk, white-tailed deer, or black bear? Read some tips to improve your chances of spotting animals during your visit to the park.

Trails

Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Metcalf Bottoms Trail
This is a short nature trail type of hike to Little Greenbrier School in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Easy
1.4 mi/
2.3 km
Laurel Falls at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Nice easy trail to a small waterfall. Along the way there are a few nice views of the nearby hills and rock formations
Easy
2.6 mi/
4.2 km
Trillium Gap Trail to Grotto Falls
Combined hiking and horseback riding trail leading to Mt. LeConte
Easy
5.2 mi/
8.4 km
Cade Cove Loop Road at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
This road through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park runs through a lush valley, see wildlife & historic buildings
Easy
10.1 mi/
16.3 km
Clingmans Dome at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Short moderate hike to the best viewpoint in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Moderate
1.3 mi/
2.1 km
Rich Mountain Loop Trail
Learn more about Cades Cove's natural and cultural history and the Great Smoky Mountains at www.NaturePods.com
Moderate
2.5 mi/
4.0 km
Moderate
4.3 mi/
6.9 km
Ocoee Run
My all-time favorite run.
Moderate
9.7 mi/
15.6 km
Mt Leconte Summit via Alum Cave Trail
Hike to the top of Mt. Leconte via the Alum Cave Trail inside the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
Difficult
12.0 mi/
19.3 km
Newfound Gap Road at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Drive across the mountains in the parks most-traveled road.
n/a
29 mi/
47 km
Guides
Laurel Falls at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Laurel Falls at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, United States
 
Easy: 2.6 miles, 1 hour or less
Nice easy trail to a small waterfall. Along the way there are a few nice views of the nearby hills and rock formations
Mt Leconte Summit via Alum Cave Trail
Mt Leconte Summit via Alum Cave Trail
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, United States
 
Difficult: 12.0 miles, Full day
Hike to the top of Mt. Leconte via the Alum Cave Trail inside the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
Trillium Gap Trail to Grotto Falls
Trillium Gap Trail to Grotto Falls
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, USA
 
Easy: 5.2 miles, 1-3 hours
Combined hiking and horseback riding trail leading to Mt. LeConte
Ocoee Run
Ocoee Run
Ocoee River, Tennessee, United States
 
Moderate: 9.7 miles, 1-3 hours
My all-time favorite run.
Cade Cove Loop Road at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Cade Cove Loop Road at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, United States
Easy: 10.1 miles, Half day
This road through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park runs through a lush valley, see wildlife & historic buildings
Rich Mountain Loop Trail
Rich Mountain Loop Trail
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, United States
Moderate: 2.5 miles, 1-3 hours
Learn more about Cades Cove's natural and cultural history and the Great Smoky Mountains at www.NaturePods.com
Moderate: 4.3 miles, Full day
Wildflowers and Black Bears
Clingmans Dome at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Clingmans Dome at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, United States
Moderate: 1.3 miles, 1 hour or less
Short moderate hike to the best viewpoint in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Metcalf Bottoms Trail
Metcalf Bottoms Trail
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, United States
Easy: 1.4 miles, 1 hour or less
This is a short nature trail type of hike to Little Greenbrier School in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hikes
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hikes
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, United States
A hiker's paradise with over 800 miles of maintained trails. Car tours of the park are also very popular.
Newfound Gap Road at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Newfound Gap Road at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, United States
Drive across the mountains in the parks most-traveled road.
Community Trips
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Chimney Tops
by MarkTurner on Nov 02, 2008
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, United States
2.2 miles
An early morning hike to the Chimney Tops in the Smoky Mountains.  The early section is very pretty and follows a scenic stream with several creek crossings.  Then comes a harsh steep section that probably stops the casual tourist.  Things finally level off and lead you to the peak and some wonderful views.We were in a rush to return to our hotel for check-out time so couldn't fully explore the rocky peak. ...
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Standing Indian, Mt Albert, Nantahala Basin Loop
by kurtisk on Oct 07, 2010
Franklin, North Carolina, United States
24 miles
This is a very popular loop trail that circles the headwaters of the Nantahala river. Standing Indian Basin is the horseshoe-shaped drainage formed by the Nantahala and Blue Ridge Mountains. Several prominent peaks over 5,000 feet in elevation—Albert Mountain, Big Butt, Little Bald, and Standing Indian Mountain—cap the rim of the drainage.  There are many trails through the area and several options exist for loop trails.  What makes this area so attractive...
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Grotto Falls
by MarkTurner on Aug 03, 2008
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, United States
1.4 miles
A beautiful hike to a very nice waterfall.  You can walk behind the falls without getting wet.
Steps to the lower falls Photo
Lower Falls View Photo
Lower Falls Photo
on the trail - 1 Photo
Graveyard Fields waterfall loop
by magellan on Apr 25, 2008
Big East Fork, North Carolina, United States
3.4 miles
This is a relatively easy hike to two waterfalls just south of the route 276 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The trail starts at the parking area and descends rather steeply right from the parking lot. The trail to the lower falls has much more traffic and there are a couple of sets of stairs along the way. From the lower falls, the trail becomes less crowded as you...
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Abrams Falls
by joe.wilkerson on Nov 07, 2008
Happy Valley, Tennessee, United States
5.8 miles
Preparing to leave Photo
Starting off down the trail Photo
First of many creek crossings Photo
Following Kimsey Creek Photo
Standing Indian Loop - AT
by cutter on Mar 18, 2010
Rainbow Springs, North Carolina, United States
24 miles
This two-night hike was made by scouts and scouters of Troop 224, Oak Ridge, Tenn. We started and finished at Standing Indian Campground in Nantahala National Forest. We made the loop in a counter-clockwise direction, starting with Kimsey Creek Trail, which took us to the Appalachian Trail at Deep Gap (3.7 miles). After a stop to check the views from Standing Indian Mountain, we continued to Beech Gap, where most of our group...
Alum Cave Creek Photo
Arch Rock Photo
Rock steps Photo
Styx Branch Photo
Alum Cave Trail, Mt. LeConte - GSMNP
by cutter on Jan 23, 2010
Fort Harry, Tennessee, United States
10.1 miles
My friend Brad joined me on this day hike to Mt. LeConte Lodge. (This was not a South Beyond 6000 summit hike.)
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Perfect Campsite Photo
Shining Rock Wilderness Loop Trail
by kurtisk on Oct 21, 2011
Canton, North Carolina, United States
12.5 miles
Begin on the Big East Fork Trail on the south side of the river, climb out of the valley on the Greasy Cove Trail, follow the Art Loeb Trail across the Shining Rock Ledge, and descend back to the trail head on the Shining Creek Trail.It is a very beautiful area and well worth visiting.  It is also riddled with trails so there are many trips that can be easily put together...
From Gregory Bald Photo
Bill on the bald Photo
From Gregory Bald Photo
Leaving the bald Photo
Gregory Bald - GSMNP
by cutter on Nov 14, 2009
Lawson Crossroad, Tennessee, United States
13.6 miles
This was a day hike to Gregory Bald from Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We parked on Forge Creek Road at Parsons Branch Road. (Parsons Branch Road is closed in the winter.) Our hike began with a walk up Parsons Branch Road to Gregory Bald Trail, then to the bald. The return trip was via Gregory Ridge Trail, which goes back directly to the parking area.
Salt Rock Gap trailhead Photo
Panthertown Valley overlook Photo
Snail on the trail Photo
North Road Trail junction Photo
6.5-mile hike in Panthertown Valley, Nantahala National Forest
by tommangan on Apr 30, 2011
Panthertown Valley, North Carolina, United States
6.4 miles
Excellent hike multiple waterfalls, wildflowers and scenery at Panthertown Valley in far southeaster North Carolina in the Nantahala National Forest. Trip writeup to come.

Reviews
jfam5kj
The trail from Cades Cove to Rocky Top was incredible. Loved it loved it loved it!
Visited on Apr 01, 2013

by jfam5kj on May 14, 2013
violakat03
In my opinion, the most beautiful place in the world. I can't believe I'm lucky enough to live here.
Visited on Feb 17, 2013

by violakat03 on Mar 11, 2013
amanda.newton.rn
Spent Thanksgiving week camping at Cades Cove Campground in GSMNP. Had a great time hiking the 5 mile roundtrip trail to Abrams Falls and treking up to Clingman's Dome. Looking forward to going back and checking out some of the other trails!
Visited on Nov 19, 2012

by amanda.newton.rn on Dec 15, 2012
NarnianRockhound
God's country. Been here many times.
Visited on Mar 13, 2012

by NarnianRockhound on Apr 09, 2012
Tom37312
Cades cove, Elkmont, Smokemont, and slow walks in the woods any of these would get five stars from my family.
Visited on Mar 10, 2012

by Tom37312 on Mar 27, 2013
pngwen
The great smoky mountains national park is one of the most beautiful and fun places on earth. I've frequented the park since I was a small child, and have hiked most of its trails. The trails were well on you with age, and I will continue to hike, camp, and fish there until I shuffle off this mortal coil. So come here, you won't be disappointed. You may even run into me and my son!
Visited on Dec 03, 2011

by pngwen on Dec 04, 2011
CliffLing
Wonderful visit, especially hitting it right at the changing of the trees in the fall.
Visited on Oct 17, 2011

by CliffLing on Apr 29, 2012
HasTowelWillTravel
It is a beautiful park, no doubt, with vast mixed forests and lots of hiking. However, the knock on this park is the traffic. There is a tremendous amount of traffic moving through the one bisecting road, and the trails are always full of people. So, while it is gorgeous, if you're looking for solitude, you have to really hunt to find it.
Visited on Oct 10, 2011

by HasTowelWillTravel on Oct 12, 2011
Tarnac
This is a beautiful National Forest with lots of trials and awesome views.
Unfortunitly dogs are banned from the Forest & Trails except for 2 highly public trails.
This will stop us from visiting again.

Visited on Jul 10, 2011

by Tarnac on Aug 25, 2011
Stray_Moose
Very crowded for the holiday.... gatlinburg and cherokee had a lot of traffic as well as 441.
Visited on Jul 01, 2011

by Stray_Moose on Jul 03, 2011
pklein1021
Started from Parson Branch Road, which is only open during daylight. Also, until 10 am on Wednesday and Saturday mornings the Cades Cove Loop is closed to motorized vehicles.

The flame azaleas were beautiful.

Visited on Jun 11, 2011

by pklein1021 on Jun 14, 2011
Stray_Moose
Great park. If you plan to hike in the back country, pay attention to the camps that require reservations, and get them early. There is no fee.
Visited on Apr 22, 2011

by Stray_Moose on Jun 25, 2011
stonemtnhiker
Wonderful wildflowers!
Visited on Apr 21, 2011

by stonemtnhiker on Apr 24, 2011
Tom37312
Any part of the park is worth a visit.
Cades cove will send you back in time. Smokemont is a great campground. I live 2.5 hrs away and visit 3 or 4 times a year.

Visited on Jan 19, 2011

by Tom37312 on Jan 19, 2011
Kizniche
The Great Smokey Mountains were my destination for a road known as the Tail of the Dragon. I camped in Cades Cove, were there's stunning, picturesque landscapes. Wild animals are afoot everywhere, even bears, so be prepared if you are going to be camping, as I was. I drove my motorcycle from North Carolina, through the Tail of the Dragon, and into Cades Cove to camp for the night. The next morning, I took Parsons Branch Road, an 8 mile, unimproved, mountain, dirt road that leads to the ToTD. If you're an off-road enthusiast, I would recommend you try this, as there are few places in this part of the US this beautiful and you can off-road on. And if you're wondering the difficulty, I completed this with my KTM 950 Adventure with 150 lb of gear and street tires. Of course, I did have a steering damper.
Visited on Oct 01, 2010

by Kizniche on Nov 22, 2010
JMilesMiller
We really enjoyed our time in the Smokies, especially Mt Leconte. Wasn't very crowded in early September/Labor Day weekend. Would love to see it in the fall with all the changing colors.
Visited on Sep 07, 2010

by JMilesMiller on Mar 15, 2011
soulcrshr
Awesome views! Grandfather Mt, Blowing Rock, Stone Mt are a must around that area. The strip b/w Boone and Asheville are stupendous.
Visited on May 31, 2010

by soulcrshr on Feb 06, 2011
SideKick-of-SideTrack
great time with my buddy Sidetrack
Visited on Jan 03, 2008

by SideKick-of-SideTrack on Mar 27, 2011
scoutmaster
You'll find other more detailed reviews posted - this one was done simply to allow me to rate this well travelled park.
Visited on Apr 30, 2005

by scoutmaster on Feb 16, 2012
Seabeeea
Bear activity closed the shelter / camp area that I had planned to backpack, but there are many many trails. No problem, just picked another. The scenery is priceless and I look forward to many returns.

by Seabeeea on Jan 16, 2011

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What people are saying...

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