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Great Smoky Mountain National Park is the most visited park in the National Park system. There is so much to see and do in this area that many families keep coming back every year. There are plenty of hiking and walking trails, the most famous is the Appalachian Trail which cuts through the park. There is also plenty to see from your car if you are not in the mood for hiking. With Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge just minutes from the park entrance, you will find plenty of entertainment options for all ages.
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Model Itinerary
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Day 1:
Great Smoky Mountain National Park is located on the Tennessee/North Carolina border. The park is 45 minutes south of the Knoxville Tennessee airport and 48 minutes west of Ashville, North Carolina. There are 3 main entrances to the park. The most popular is located near Gatlinburg, Tennessee, but there are also entrances in Townsend, Tennessee and Cherokee, North Carolina. There are several companies that offer cabins for rent that are not far from town, or you can choose from the many hotel accommodations available in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge. We stay at The Park Vista- Double Tree by Hilton. |
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Day 2:
The Gatlinburg Entrance is the most popular because of the towns: Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville. They offer a variety of hotels, cabins, restaurants, shopping, and tourist attractions. From the Gatlinburg entrance, head toward the Sugarlands Visitor Center to pick up a park map and find out about any Ranger activities during your stay. Take Newfound Gap Road to the Clingmans Dome parking lot. The one mile trail to the observation tower is steep, but paved. At the observation tower, you get a 360 degree view of the park. When you head back to the parking lot, look for the Forney Ridge Trailhead on the right. Take the trail to Andrews Bald (3.5 mile moderate hike). The Bald is a grassy mountain top with great views. It is a perfect place to stop for a sack lunch. My second choice hike from this parking area is the Double Springs Trail (moderate). This is a ridge line hike with views on both sides of the trail. Hike about 1 mile of the trail and back for the best views. |
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Day 3:
Spend the day exploring Gatlinburg. There is a variety of tourist attractions in the area. From taking a tram ride to Ober Gatlinburg, to visiting Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, there is plenty to do. Enjoy walking, shopping, and dining in downtown and rest up for another day in the park. |
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Day 4:
The most popular drive in the park is on the Cades Cove Loop Road. Pack a picnic lunch and head out on Little River Road past Sugarlands Visitor Center. The Laurel Falls Trailhead ( 2.6 mile easy hike) is marked on the right side of the road going toward the entrance to the Loop Road. Laurel Falls is an easy and popular hike to a waterfall. When you are done, there are several places to stop and picnic beside the many rivers along the road. The Cades Cove Loop Road is an 11 mile one-way road that gives you an opportunity to view some wildlife. You can also stop and visit some historic buildings along the way. Pick up a self-guided tour map at the Visitor Center. If you are feeling adventurous, the parking lot and trailhead to Abrams Falls (5 mile moderate hike) is located past stop #10 on the Loop Road. The trail travels partially along the river and ends at Abrams Waterfall. |
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Day 5:
Visit the town of Pigeon Forge, located a few miles from Gatlinburg. There are many tourist attractions to visit in this area, including Dollywood, WonderWorks, Dixie Stampede, and Tanger Outlet Mall in Sevierville. |
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Day 6:
Pack another picnic lunch and head out for your last day in the park. There are two hiking options from the Newfound Gap Road area: Alum Cave Trail and Chimney Tops Trail. The Alum Cave Trail has 3 options, a 2.6 mile easy hike to Arch Rock, a 4.6 mile moderate hike to Alum Cave Bluffs, and a 10 mile strenuous hike to Mt. LeConte at the summit. The trail starts with a nice, quiet walk along the river, goes through a rhododendron forest, and ends at Arch Rock. From there you can continue on to Alum Cave Bluffs, which is harder, but can be hiked without much difficulty. At the Bluffs, you can turn around or continue on to the top of Mt. LeConte and LeConte Lodge. No trip to the park is complete without a picnic at The Chimneys picnic area. Kids of all ages love to play on the rocks in the Little Pigeon River next to the tables. There are grills available and plenty of shade to rest and refuel for one last hike. The Chimney Tops Trailhead parking lot is located just past the picnic area. There are 2 hiking options for this trail. You can hike the start of the trail, which crosses several bridges and turns around before the trail begins the steep climb to the summit (2 mile easy hike), or continue the hike to the Chimney Tops (4 mile round trip strenuous hike). |
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Day 7:
Return home and start planning your next family adventure! |
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