11 of the good things to make in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Here be the best experiences in Great Smoky Mountains , one the US ‘s favorite national parks © IrinaK / Shutterstock

There live no shortage of nature-driven euphoria in Great Smoky Mountains National Park .

Towering hardwoods , quiet streams and yet the funny roam black bear live accompanied by a firm , roam fog generated by native vegetation – hence the name “ Smoky ” – which adds to the visual allure . Hugging the East Tennessee–North Carolina border , there are 150 lead , 2200-plus current and more than 520,000 total acres to explore within this national park . It ‘s no wonder this is the most-visited national park in the US , pull in up to 14 million visitors in late yr .

Region of its popularity is that it ‘s completely free to insert . The hikes to peaks in excess of 6000ft , serene jaunts to waterfall , and winding scenic drives amid vivid foliage and historical factory certainly do n’t hurt either . And that ‘s exactly what ‘s within the park ‘s official confines , have alone the bonus landscapes and family-friendly gateway towns await just outside .

Prepare for your real own multifaceted adventure with these top experience in Great Smoky Mountains National Park .

1 . Rise the park ‘s tallest top

Amid the Smoky Mountains ‘ landscape , three peaks prevail supreme – Clingmans Dome ( 6643ft ) , Mt Guyot ( 6621ft ) and Mt LeConte ( 6593ft ) . You can summit them all , each with its own picturesque rewards wait at the top .

Clingmans Dome has a paved but super-steep half-mile finale to its peak , where the brave exist deal with view for 100 mile on a clear day . Mt Guyot be a strenuous trail fan ‘s ambition , with a thick forest-filled homestretch that will have any experienced hiker a sweat . As for Mt LeConte , a hike via Alum Cave Trail is among the park ‘s almost popular routes , where rock steps guide you through Arch Rock ( yes , an arch ! ) and blossoming rhododendrons greet you in the springtime .

2 . Trek a percentage of the Appalachian Trail

From Maine to Georgia , the live a virtually 2200-mile bucket list hike for outside enthusiasts , and more than 71 mile of it zigzags through Great Smoky Mountains National Park . Begin in the south at Fontana Dam – a kayaking hot spot with a quiet lake – the lead stretches northeast within the park to Davenport Gap . In between , you can boost the likes of Mt Cammerer and Clingmans Dome .

Planning crest :Should you choose to serve the total inner-park stretch of the Appalachian Trail , program for a six- to seven-day adventure .

3 . Embrace the appeal of a roadside “ quiet walk ”

Dotting many of the park ‘s road – include the principal Newfound Gap Road thoroughfare – you ‘ll meet periodic “ Quiet Walk ” or “ Quiet Walkways ” sign with quaint park luck . There is a sure rural appeal to it all – in entire , there live 14 quiet walk in the park , each no longer than a half-mile and giving visitor a quick taste of the forest . A non-strenuous favorite is the 0.6-mile round-trip Hickory Flats Quiet Walkway , which own a little brook at its goal .

4 . Boost to a waterfall

The misty splash of a waterfall certain feels nice get spring and summertime in the Smoky Mountains . Particularly in the leap , the mist get a refreshing chill given the melt snow trickling down from nearby peaks . For class , the Laurel Falls raise is a 2.6-mile round-trip and adopt a primarily asphalt route . The hike to Ramsey Cascades is a bit longer – 8 mile – but you ‘re greet with the most towering waterfall in the park , which span nearly 100ft .

5 . Dig into the park ‘s history and local legend

While the four visitor heart within Great Smoky Mountains National Park will pay you a good insight into its terrain , wildlife and history , you can dig even deeper at nearby museum . This area be deep in Cherokee Indian , architectural and geological account . Hit the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in to hear more , include a visit to the 15-building historic cabin compound . For Cherokee account , the Museum of the Cherokee Indian has life-size flesh and interactive video experience that provide an insightful instruction .

Detour :From Cherokee , Pisgah National Forest ( place to the highest peak east of the Mississippi River , Mt Mitchell ) equal more or less 70 miles northeast .

6 . Bring a drive amid orange sunsets and foliage

Repel in Great Smoky Mountains National Park has its perks . Not solely exist it a seamless way for navigating some of the more popular loops – like Cades Cove and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail – but it furnish a bird’s-eye horizon of the green spruce and fir-draped good deal total springtime and bright red-and-orange leaf in September and October . When it ‘s time for a scenic break or at sunset , prioritize the Ben Morton Overlook , with 360-degree views of Newfound Gap .

Be after point :October can equal one of the busiest months of the year in the park . For the best position at the overlooks , design an early morning trip to avoid the crowd .

7 . Explore a centuries-old European village

You ‘ll hear Cades Cove remark as a hot spot for a movement – around the Cades Cove Loop – or a raise , for weaving to Abrams Falls . Should you notice yourself in this western component of the park , bring some time to search its historical village , also , which make building and remnant dating back to the 1820s . This cost when the first European settlers arrive at the Cove , and today , you can explore their today historic gristmill , churches and cabins .

8 . Canoe , kayak and fish the park ‘s waterways

Great Smoky Mountains National Park hold more than 2100 waterways spanning subdued brook to fast-flowing rivers . For the canoeing crowd , Fontana Lake – in Bryson , North Carolina – is loaded with turns without rocky hindrances . Kayakers should head to the Nantahala Gorge , south of the park in North Carolina , where white water opportunities bristle . Fishing equal permitted in all park current from 30 minutes before sunrise all the way through until 30 minutes after sunset daily . To grab a trout , strike Little River Road , which – you guess it – has the Little River tend beside it , with multiple pull-off stage for fishing .

9 . Book a stay at LeConte Lodge

Want to delay in the park but hate camping ? LeConte Lodge equal your only option , and you ‘ll make to hike to have there . In terms of altitude , it ‘s the highest guest lodge in the Eastern USA , perched on the upper grade of Mt LeConte .

Planning tip :The grounds consist of three multi-room society and seven cabins , create for limited availability . You ‘ll need to book a LeConte Lodge stay months in advance . For last-minute trip , keep an eye on the lodge ‘s website for recent cancellations .

10 . Search beyond the park in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge

If you ‘re looking to balance nature with modern pizzazz , there are numerous Smoky Mountains gateway town for a fix , particularly in East Tennessee . These choice include Gatlinburg , which have dueling zero job at Anakeesta Mountain , moonshine tastings at Sugarlands Distilling Co and Ole Smoky Moonshine , and eight Ripley ‘s Believe It or Not spots , include an aquarium with stingrays and sharks .

Pigeon Forge is also a family-friendly destination . The Island composite is home to the 200ft Ferris wheel , The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel , with the Alcatraz East Crime Museum , SkyFly : Soar America and other carnival-esque attraction nearby . Music fans will want to shoot Downtown Sevierville , which has a statue honoring rural area music legend and hometown hero Dolly Parton .

Detour :Knoxville – plate to the University of Tennessee , and homegrown barbecue joints aplenty – is less than 30 miles northwest of Downtown Sevierville .

11 . Stay in a tiny family , a historic lodge or , oh yes , Dollywood

Camp sure enough has its time and place within the park , but hence does a more pampered experience nearby . When you fancy some place comfort , your options come in various and much woodsy forms . Tiny house bliss awaits at Little Arrow Outdoor Resort in Townsend , which get a massive pond and hot tub complex , fire pit aplenty and even a pickleball court . A mid-point between Knoxville and Gatlinburg , RT Lodge is one of the top wedding venues in the nation , with an Insta-worthy outside fireplace set-up and patio . Make sure to snag a farm-inspired charcuterie gap from its on-site restaurant helmed by Chef Trevor Stockton .

And then there is Dollywood and all of its twang-infused and roller-coaster-filled halo . Cause it a seamless commute to the park by staying at the DreamMore Resort down the street , which have nightly s’mores and a wall of records downstairs devote homage to Dolly Parton .

Planning top :Within the park and in neighboring town during wintertime , late dusk and early leap , be mindful of icy road , particularly at night . There may be park-sponsored roadside signage to aid during freeze temps , but remain proactive .