Did you know the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is the MOST VISITED national park in the United States?!? Whether you’re a nature lover or a hiking enthusiast, you can easily spend a week exploring this incredible park. If you’re short on time, a day or two will still allow you to experience a lot of what the park has to offer.
KEY FEATURES & ATTRACTIONS
- Newfound Gap: Stand atop the mountain at the state line and gaze at Tennessee on one side and North Carolina on the other.
- Appalachian Trail: Discover the world’s longest hiking-only footpath, stretching 2,190 miles from Maine to Georgia.
- Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome): Hike the highest peak in the park via a steep, paved half-mile trail to the observation deck for breathtaking 360-degree views.
- Mountain Farm Museum: Located at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center on the NC side, this museum offers a glimpse into the past with an entire homestead including living quarters, stables, food storage structures, and more.
- Cherokee History: Just outside the park, learn about the area’s rich history at the indoor Museum of the Cherokee and/or outdoor living history at Oconaluftee Indian Village in Cherokee. (entrance fees apply)
- Sugarlands Visitor Center: Discover museum exhibits and taxidermy on the TN side.
- Cades Cove: Enjoy a loop drive with stunning mountain views on the TN side.
- Synchronous Fireflies: Witness this natural wonder in May and June.
ACTIVITIES & EXPERIENCES
- Waterfalls: Numerous trails feature stunning waterfalls. If you’re a fan, plan your route to include these natural spectacles.
- Day Hikes: Immerse yourself in the calming sounds and scents of nature. Spring and summer bring beautiful blossoms, while fall paints the hills in vibrant oranges, yellows, and browns.
- Hike and/or Backpack the Appalachian Trail: Experience the world’s longest hiking-only footpath. Even a short section offers amazing beauty. For more adventure, consider a backpacking trip.
- Horseback Riding: rentals are available in the park near the Sugarlands Visitor Center in Gatlinburg, Cades Cove Visitor Center in Tennessee and Smokemont area in North Carolina.
- Explore History: From Cherokee tribes to early European settlers, visit the Museum of the Cherokee People, Mountain Farm Museum, and historical structures like mills, churches, cemeteries and log cabins. The Mingus Mill is a gristmill still in the location it was built in 1886 – just half mile north of the Oconaluftee Visitor Center
- Wildlife Discovery: Known as the “Salamander Capital of the World”, the park is home to over 30 species, including the endemic Jordan’s red-cheeked salamander. The area is rich with birds and other wildlife. To see a concentrated array of the plants and animals that live here, check out the Sugarlands Visitor Center. Bring your camera and/or nature journal to capture your favorites.
TIPS
If you love rhododendron blooms in the day and fireflies at night, the best time to visit is early June where you’ll get the best show of both. Fall offers beautiful autumn foliage and cooler temperatures.
Our recommended itinerary: (or do in reverse order if starting out on the Tennessee side)
NORTH CAROLINA SIDE: Spend 2-3 days in Cherokee, NC or nearby town to explore the NC side of the park and part of the Blue Ridge Parkway, if that’s on your list. Choose a trail with or without a waterfall. Visit the indoor and/or outdoor museums of the Cherokee people to learn about the long history of this area and the native people including their customs and culture. Get your national parks passport book stamped at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and tour the outdoor Mountain Farm Museum. Walk the 3 mile round trip Oconaluftee River Trail.
This trip we did the Juney Whank Falls, Indian Creek Falls and Tom Branch Falls loop since we had a small grandson with us.
ON THE BORDER AT THE TOP: Depart in the morning to make the approximately 29 mile, one hour drive along the beautiful and windy mountain highway 441 to the TN side of the park. Stop about halfway and spend a few minutes, hours or the day at the top in Newfound Gap. Consider the 8 mile roundtrip out-and-back hike along the Appalachian Trail to Charlies Bunion lookout. Drive 16 miles southwest to walk about .5 mile up Kuwohi Trail (formerly Clingmans Dome) to the observation deck for 360 degree views at the highest peak in the park. There is also a 3.6 mile roundtrip hike to Andrews Bald here. Return to Newfound Gap to continue on to Sugarlands Visitor Center, TN, and explore the many displays of wildlife and history, or save this center for the following day.
TENNESSEE SIDE: Spend 2-3 days in Gatlinburg, TN or nearby town to experience the TN side of the park. You can spend time in the towns of Gatlinburg and/or Pigeon Forge as they have some good restaurants as well as attractions if you want a little city life. Stop by the Sugarlands Visitor Center, if you haven’t already. Take the 1 mile trail to Cataract Falls. Consider another scenic drive for approximately 25 miles and one hour to Cades Cove. This area is known for having an abundance of wildlife with bears, coyotes, turkey and deer to name a few. You can enjoy a more intimate experience with nature, by riding horses here near the Cades Cove Visitor Center (horse rentals are available here as well as near Sugarlands Visitor Center).
If you’ve been to the Great Smoky Mountains, what did you enjoy most, and what would you recommend?
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