Things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Laura
- 3 days ago
- 7 min read
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The scenic drives and hiking trails of the Great Smoky Mountains run through the heart of Appalachia. Straddling Tennessee and North Carolina, the 500,000 acre park is full of waterfalls, wildlife, and log cabins to discover. Use our list of free things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to get to know this amazing American resource.
The mountains and meandering rivers of “Shaconage” (place of the blue smoke) are the perfect backdrop for just about any outdoor activity. Our list of things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains will point you toward the park’s must-see sights like Cades Cove, Newfound Gap, and Clingman’s Dome as well as lesser known gems we feel you shouldn’t miss.
For information on organizing your vacation to the Smokies, read our Planning a Trip to the Great Smoky Mountains guide.
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS TOURS
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS WEATHER
Summers in the Great Smoky Mountains are hot and hazy with frequent thunder showers. Temperatures average in the 80s and 90s F. Winter temperatures drop to the 40s and 50s (F) during the day, and often below freezing at night with frequent rain and/or snow. Spring and fall are transition seasons.
BEST TIME TO VISIT GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS
Since the bulk of your activities in Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be outdoors, weather is key. The park is a US International Biosphere Reserve, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the most visited US national park – so crowd sizes should also be considered.
For weather suited for outside activities and manageable crowds, we suggest visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the months of (late) April, May, June, September, October, and (early) November – excluding peak foliage weeks. Avoid weekends and holidays if able.
TOURS NEAR SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
WHERE TO STAY IN GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS
To be near the majority of park attractions we reference in this blog post, we suggest: Gatlinburg TN for its many types of lodgings at varying price points as well as lots of restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues; and, Cherokee NC for a variety of lodgings, a casino, and several Native American attractions.
Consider these Gatlinburg and Cherokee hotels:
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS MAP
12 FREE THINGS TO DO IN GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
CADES COVE LOOP & ABRAMS FALLS HIKE
Cades Cove is a scenic valley surrounded the towering Appalachian Mountains. The Cades Cove Scenic Loop is an 11 mile drive through the valley’s spectacular landscapes. See historic churches, log cabins, cemeteries, and wildlife along the route. This popular drive is often bumper to bumper. Plan for 2-4 hours to drive the loop.
To make it a full day in the area, visitors can make a reservation to go horseback riding, or take a hike. We suggest a tackling the 5 mile roundtrip trek to Abrams Falls. The highlight of the moderately difficult trail is arriving at the 20’ falls. Be aware, that as with many waterfalls in the park, the hike in is on the down slope (out is upwards).
BIKE THE CADES COVE SCENIC LOOP
See the gorgeous Cades Cove Scenic Loop on 2-wheels without the bumper to bumper traffic. On Wednesday during the summer months the loop road is closed to motorized traffic and open to bike and foot traffic. Check the park calendar for dates (generally occurs from May through September).
ELKMONT GHOST TOWN & LITTLE RIVER TRAIL
Tour an abandoned resort community and take a trek along an old logging road. Elkmont was established as a logging camp in the 1800s. In the early 1900s, it was discovered by wealthy Knoxville residents who turned it into a resort community. When the national park was established, the community gradually died-out.
Today, you can tour the cabins of the Elkmont Ghost town. Combine your exploration with a hike on the nearby Little River Trail. The trail is rated as easy and stretches on for about 2.5miles. On this pleasant trek find lots of wildflowers, a heavy tree canopy, and river views.
CLIMB THE KUWOHI (CLINGMANS DOME) TOWER
The summit of Kuwohi Mountain (formerly known as Clingmans Dome) is one of the highest points in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. On a clear day, an observation tower at the top of Kuwohi offers exceptional views of Tennessee and North Carolina. Get to the tower via a 7 mile road from Newfound Gap. Then hike a 1-mile paved uphill path to reach the viewing platforms. There is a large parking lot and visitor center onsite.
DRIVE US-441 AND STOP AT NEWFOUND GAP
US-441, also known as the Newfound Gap Road, is a 33 mile mountain pass that connects Gatlinburg, TN to Cherokee, NC. Considered to be one of the most scenic drives in the park, the road rises to 5,046 feet at its highest point (on the border of TN and NC). Along the drive there are many scenic outlooks, mountain streams, photo opportunities, and places to picnic.
HUNT FOR BLACK BEARS WITH YOUR CAMERA
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a protected area where black bears can live in a natural setting. Park rangers estimate there are about 1,900 bears living in the park (about 2 per square mile). Catching a glimpse of a black bear is a highlight of any trip. Bears can be found at all elevations. They are often most active around sunrise and sunset.
We had good luck spotting bears on Hyatt Lane in Cades Cove. The gravel mountain pass dissects the Cades Cove loop. A word of caution: Black bear are wild animals and should not be approached. Before visiting the park, read the National Park Service’s page on black bears.
GATLINBURG & SMOKY MOUNTAINS EXCURSIONS
GO HIKING
Hiking is one of the most popular activities in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park is home to over 848 miles of trails; 74 of those miles part of the Appalachian Trail. There are hikes for all abilities. We prefer hikes of easy to moderate difficulty that last from 2-3 hours. Consider these hikes in that range:
Walker Sisters Place: 2.6 mile roundtrip with historic schoolhouse and homestead to explore.
Big Creek Trail: 4 mile roundtrip that passes 45 foot Mouse Creek Falls.
Alum Cave Bluffs: 4.6 mile roundtrip past Arch Rock to Alum Cave Bluffs.
Chimney Falls Overlook: 3.5 mile roundtrip with steep inclines to great mountain views.
DRIVE ROARING FORKS, OGLE HOMESTEAD, & HIKE
Combine a scenic drive with a tour of a historical homestead and hike. The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a twisty 6 mile paved road that winds through a mossy forest with lots of streams and waterfalls. At the entry to the motor trail, stop at the Noah “Bud” Ogle farmstead. Tour the heritage building and pick-up a map. Along the roadway consider hiking the Rainbow Falls, Trillium Gap, or Grotto Falls trails.
SEARCH FOR ELK IN THE CATALOOCHEE VALLEY
Take a scenic drive over the Cove Creek Mountain Road to reach the Cataloochee Valley. In the fields of the valley, search for the herds of elk that live in the shadow of the mountains. The herds are most active in the early morning and later in the afternoon. Also, keep a lookout for black bear, deer, turkeys, and other critters.
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN CAMPING
Great Smoky Mountain National Park caters to campers of all varieties; backcountry, front-country, traditional campgrounds, and horse camps. There are 10 campgrounds within the park and more than 100 backcountry sites. Campgrounds are generally open from April through October. Reservations are recommended.
TROUT & BASS FISHNG
Great Smoky Mountains National park is home to about 2,900 miles of streams, many of which support a healthy population of wild trout and smallmouth bass. Fishing (with proper permit/license) is allowed from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset in all streams.
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS VISITOR CENTER PROGRAMS
Pick up maps and check park alerts at the park visitor centers. Also, learn about the history of the park and the “CCC” boys who helped to build it during the Great Depression. Find park visitor centers in Sugarlands, Oconaluftee, Cades Cove, and Clingmans Dome.
Sign up for free ranger-led programs at any of the centers. There are junior ranger programs for children, black bear safety programs, and sessions that focus on the park’s biodiversity and cultural roots (wildflowers, birds, and music). Look for programs on the park’s event calendar.
Don’t let the door hit ‘ya where the good lord split ‘ya, Laura and Randy
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