Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Your Guide to Camping, Hiking, and Fun!
Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links and sponsored content for products and experiences that I actually do use, recommend, or think are worthwhile. I may earn a commission if you click through.
Updated July 2026
As the most visited national park in the US, I had high hopes for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which spans the Appalachian Mountains between Tennessee and North Carolina. Having spent much of my childhood hiking and living near the Rocky Mountains in Utah, I was skeptical that the small mountains in the East would live up to the hype.
Boy was I wrong.
I spent a week in mid-August exploring the vast national park, as well as the surrounding towns of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Cherokee. Besides Costa Rica, I had never before been surrounded by so much green as I was in the Smokies. I love trees and was blown away at how green and full of trees the area is.
Check out this guide to camping and hiking in the Smoky Mountains, as well as exploring the greater Smoky Mountain region, to plan your own incredible camping trip!
Top Smoky Mountains Scenic Drives
One of the most popular (and unavoidable) things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains is to take a scenic drive, looking for wildlife and enjoying breathtaking views. During my visit I explored two iconic scenic drives.
Newfound Gap
Newfound Gap is the lowest pass through this part of the Appalachian Mountains, spanning from Cherokee, North Carolina, to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It is the main road through the Smokies, so driving along here will be a part of any visit. I stopped at several lookout points along the road and was greeted with stunning views each time! It is beautiful anytime of the year, but especially during its autumn glory.
Don’t want to do all the driving yourself? Take a Newfound Gap tour in a pink jeep! Let your guide show you the best scenic viewing locations and handle the stress of navigating curvy mountain roads.
Roaring Fork
From Gatlingburg, there is an entrance to a beautiful, one-way motor trail, popular for its scenery and the kid-friendly hikes along the way. I spent half a day driving the loop and hiking on one of the trails. It was a rainy day, but that just made everything even more vibrant and green! While there, look out for wildlife, such as deer, salamanders, and other small creatures.
Additional Drives: Cade’s Cove (A haven for finding black bears!)
Best Hikes in the Smokies
There are dozens of hikes throughout the Smoky Mountains, making it one of the best activities to do in the Smoky Mountains. Since the park is so popular, you’ll want to choose a mixture of both iconic hikes—which may be more crowded—and hidden gems that you can have to yourself.
Clingman’s Dome
Being as accessible as it was—with a short, paved pathway to the top—visiting the highest peak in the Smokies was full of other people wanting to reach it. The steep hike wasn’t much to get excited over, but once I reached the observation dome at the very top, I was blown away at the miles of views on every side! Make sure to go on a clear day—the views would have been even more amazing if it wasn’t as cloudy and misty.
Grotto Falls
Waterfall hikes are plentiful in the Great Smoky Mountains! I enjoyed this hike along the Roaring Fork Motor Loop, but was worried I would pass the trailhead on the one-way road, so I ended up parking way before the actual trailhead and walked at least a mile longer than I needed to. However, the sights were beautiful and that’s where I saw a deer! Afterwards, I rewarded myself with ice cream from Mad Dog’s in Gatlinburg!
Laurel Falls
This was another kid-friendly, fun waterfall hike, right off the road near my campsite! Although the trail is paved, it is fairly steep most of the way up to the 80-foot waterfall and more difficult than I expected it to be. The scenery and views of this hike were stunning and the waterfall at the end was worth it, which is probably what makes it so popular.
Avent Cabin
This hike to a secret log cabin in the middle of the woods remains one of my favorite hikes, even after hiking in Southern Utah, New Zealand, and all over Yosemite. I think I enjoyed it so much because it was a treasure hunt. The trail is not well-known and there is nothing marking the start of it from the main trail it branches off of (Jake’s Creek Trail), so I had to keep an eye on my map to know when to look for it. Once I found it, I was led across a log bridge, up a winding narrow path, and to the 1800’s-era log Avent cabin that I had all to myself!
Appalachian Trail
When I was a naturalist at a Georgia state park, I worked with someone who hiked the entire Appalachian Trail—all 2,190 miles of it! She’s my hiking inspiration and, although I only walked a few steps along the trail in comparison, I was excited to be there and think about the dedicated people who make that iconic trek from Georgia to Maine.
Additional Hikes: Alum Cave, Charlie’s Bunion, Spruce Flats Waterfall
Before you hit the trail, check out my hiking tips below!
Other Things to Do Nearby
Perhaps to accommodate the large numbers of people visiting the area every year, the small towns surrounding the Great Smoky Mountains are packed with exciting things to do—beyond hiking and driving around—especially for families.
Mingus Mill & Mountain Farm Museum
The Appalachians were historically a major place of early settlements because the quickly moving water down the mountains provided energy for grist mills. This grist mill is a historic example of how the water energy was used, as well as a beautiful area to explore. Nearby is a whole settlement where visitors can walk around and see how life was back then. I learned a lot about the people of Appalachia and even saw a herd of elk at the nearby meadow!
Sugarland Visitors Center
Close to Gatlinburg, this Smokies visitors center has a large display of the types of animals native to the area, as well as information about the park and its history. I enjoyed browsing and getting a few souvenirs here during my visit.
Anakeesta Adventure Park
Just outside of the Smoky Mountains, in the town of Gatlinburg, you can find an incredible adventure park that includes a skywalk, obstacle courses, an observation deck, a gondola, and more family fun!
WonderWorks
Lining Pigeon Forge’s main street are dozens of whimsical buildings and family-friendly activities that can fill a whole week’s worth of time (reminiscent of the family attractions all over the place near Mount Rushmore). I didn’t make a lot of time for enjoying the city, but I did have a lot of fun at WonderWorks. This unique upside-down building has a variety of fun science-filled interactive exhibits.
Want to visit multiple attractions in Pigeon Forge? Get combo tickets for both WonderWorks and the Titanic Museum.
Tubing on the Oconaluftee
The Oconaluftee River runs right through Cherokee, North Carolina, making it an easily accessible place to go tubing. Grab a tube and hop on the river for a fun time!
Zorbing
If you’ve never heard of Zorbing, you’re in for a treat! This unique activity originated in New Zealand (where I first tried it), and it involves rolling down a hill inside a giant inflatable ball. Your family will never forget this experience!
Dollywood
Dollywood is a full-on theme park, co-owned by famous Appalachian singer, Dolly Parton. There are thrill rides, water rides, kids rides—anything you could want to fill a day of fun. If you’re in Nashville, check out these Dollywood tickets that include round trip transportation to and from the park!
Ziplining
Ziplining is one of my favorite activities, especially in the mountains. Find a 7-course zipline just outside of Pigeon Forge that comes with great views of the Smoky Mountains.
Where to Stay Near the Smokies
There are ample places to stay near the Great Smoky Mountains and, since the park is so large, I would recommend staying on each side of the park for at least a night. I camped on one end and stayed in a hotel on the other end, which allowed me to experience the park in very different ways.
Elkmont Campground
Nestled along a main road in the Great Smoky Mountains, lies a peaceful and shady campsite. I spent several days here and loved waking up in the morning to the gorgeous nature all around! This campground is also in a great location, close to Gatlinburg—but far enough away to feel secluded—as well as near several hiking trails.
Hotel in Cherokee
I stayed one night in Cherokee before driving home. I liked walking through the small town, finding Native American souvenirs and signs in the Cherokee language all over the place. It was a cool cultural experience, reminiscent of the American Southwest. One of the biggest attractions in the town is Harrah’s Casino that has a spa, pool, several upscale restaurants, and of course a casino (or arcade for the kids). A stay at Harrah’s is the perfect way to end a Smoky Mountain trip.
Additional lodging: Use the widget below to find lodging from Gatlinburg to Cherokee
Overall, my trip to the Smokies was green and exciting and adventurous! I enjoyed my time hiking and camping, as well as exploring the small towns and the culture of the area. I would recommend this trip for families, nature lovers, and anyone looking to experience an iconic part of America’s East Coast region!
For more information on Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including park alerts and closures, visit the National Park Service website.
I am a big nature lover, which is what made this trip so great, but I love big cities, too! Check out my other East Coast trips to New York and Washington, DC next!
Love National Parks as much as I do? Join my newsletter and get a free National Park checklist sent straight to your inbox! Just fill out the form below.
More National Park Posts
Pin for Later!
