There are lots of fun things to do in Smoky Mountains, especially if you love the outdoors. There are endless places to explore, hike, and take gorgeous photographs, so everyone in the family can find something to enjoy.
However, the Smoky Mountains are a massive area, so how do you settle on the best things to do in the Smokies? This article will help you plan your Smoky Mountain TN travel itinerary.
Things to Know Before Visiting the Smoky Mountains
Before you visit the Smoky Mountains, it’s a good idea to learn as much as you can about the park. Here are a few tips to help you start planning.
Where are the Smoky Mountains?
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park sits on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. It’s home to the biggest mountains in Tennessee. There are three main entrances to the park: Gatlinburg (TN), Townsend (TN), and Cherokee (NC).
Is There an Entrance Fee?
No, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park doesn’t charge an entrance fee. You can enter the park at any time for no additional cost. However, if you will be parking for longer than 15 minutes at the park, you’ll need to have a parking tag. The parking passes are $5 daily, $15 weekly, or $40 annually.
Whenever you enter the park, it’s a good idea to have a map printed. You can access a map on your phone, but like most national parks, cell phone service isn’t reliable in every area. If you wander too far from developed areas, your phone may not work properly, so it’s smart to have a back up map in case of an emergency.
Respect Wildlife
There’s a lot of wildlife in the Smoky Mountains, which can be both amazing and dangerous. If you see wild animals, do not approach them or feed them. Instead, leave them be to keep both you and the animals safe.
When is the Best Time to Visit?
The Great Smoky Mountains are accessible 24 hours every day of the year. Most visitors agree that the best time to visit is in autumn because it won’t be too hot and you can admire the leaves changing colors. It’s also less busy than the summer.
Best Things to Do in Smoky Mountains
Narrowing down a list of Smoky Mountains things to do is no easy task. So, here’s a list of popular attractions you may want to visit.
1. Clingmans Dome
Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Smoky Mountains and the highest point in Tennessee at 6,643 feet. If you don’t mind a long walk, you can venture up a ramp that leads to the top of Clingmans Dome and has the most mesmerizing views. The top observation deck is wheelchair accessible.
On a clear day, you can see 100 miles in all directions from the top of Clingmans Dome. If heights make you nervous, you don’t have to go to the top of the viewing deck to get good views. Even from the parking lot next to the observation deck, you can see beautiful landscapes of the park. Since this is such a popular spot to check out, you should expect crowds when climbing to the top point.
2. Newfound Gap Overlook
Newfound Gap is another one of the most popular viewing points at the Smoky Mountains. The overlook is along Newfound Gap Road, which is a scenic route that takes about an hour to drive all the way down. When you near the overlook, it may be difficult to find parking, so parking further away and walking may be your best bet.
The Newfound Gap Overlook has an elevation of about 5,056 feet, so it’s usually colder than the other areas of the park. From the observation point, you can see several ecosystems and elevations in the distance. It’s especially beautiful in the fall when the leaves are a rainbow of colors. If you’re looking for the perfect spot for photography, this is one of them.
3. Cades Cove
Cades Cove is a breathtaking mountain valley that guests love to explore. It’s an 11-mile scenic drive, but most visitors like to stop and explore some of it on foot during their journey. Up until the early 1800s, Cades Cove was a popular hunting ground for the Cherokee people. Then, European settlers came in and built structures on the land.
You can still see many of the historic cabins in this area today. Even with the buildings nearby, Cades Cove is known for having an abundant wildlife population. Black bears are commonly spotted nearby.
4. Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian Trail is the most famous hiking trail at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trail was constructed in 1937, and it stretches for about 2,200 miles. It passes through 14 states from northern Georgia all the way to Maine. However, only about 72 miles are in the state park.
Since you can’t hike the entire trail, most people just hike part of it to get to Clingmans Dome, but there are several scenic stretches to check out. In the park, there are 12 shelters along the Appalachian Trail. The shelters are in place to keep visitors dry and safe, and many of them have outhouses nearby.
5. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
This drivable trail is a one-way road that allows you to slow your vehicle down to admire the scenery. It’s 5.5 miles long, and it’s known for being peaceful. Along the road, there are plenty of places to stop your car and explore on foot. In this area, you may come across waterfalls, streams, and a historic gristmill. You can spend as little or as much time as you want looking at different areas of this trail.
6. Cataloochee Ski Area
These massive mountains are great places to go skiing. In southwestern North Carolina, there’s the Cataloochee Ski Area, which has 18 slopes for people skiing and snowboarding. There’s also an area for people to go snow tubing. Whether you’re an expert or a beginner, there are ski slopes to fit your needs.
If skiing isn’t your thing, Cataloochee is an area with lots of other aspects to explore. Cataloochee Valley was once home to a small mountain community, so you can view some of the historic structures. It’s also a common area for elk sightings. In 2001, 52 elk were released into the area to reintroduce the species to the park. Now, over 200 elk are still seen in the same spot.
7. Grotto Falls Trail
The Grotto Falls Trail at the Smoky Mountains Tennessee leads to a gorgeous 25-foot waterfall. It can be accessed by taking the Trillium Gap Trail from the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. It’s a more secluded and peaceful area for people looking to get away from the crowds. However, it takes about 3 miles to get to the falls and back, so take that into consideration before beginning the trek. You also can’t climb on the rocks near the waterfall because they can become very slippery.
8. Alum Cave Trail
The Alum Cave Trail is one of the park’s most unique trails, with steps going through caves and impressive rock formations. Yet, it’s a moderately difficult route that’s 4.4 miles there and back. While hiking, the trail goes up about 1,125 feet. If you’re willing to take on a challenge, this trail is definitely worth it due to its one-of-a-kind views.
9. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
Sometimes, we need a break from scenic trails and nature adventures, even when visiting a national park. So, the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is a relaxing indoor attraction just outside of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This attraction has been rated the best aquarium in the United States by several sources.
This aquarium has a wide range of creatures, including sharks, turtles, stingrays, and penguins. There are also plenty of interactive attractions, such as a glass bottom boat ride, a ray petting pool, and a discovery center with learning experiences for all ages. Animal lovers won’t want to miss this attraction during their trip.
10. Chimney Tops Trail
Chimney Tops is another popular hiking trail at this national park. It’s a moderately difficult hike that has views that are worth the effort. It’s 3.3 miles round trip, and you gain about 1,500 feet of elevation while hiking. So, it’s very steep at some points, making it unideal for people afraid of heights. The highest elevation on the trail is 4,724 feet, where you can get beautiful views of the abundant forests and mountains surrounding you.
11. Elkmont Ghost Town
If abandoned places are always on your bucket list, you may want to check out the Elkmont Ghost Town along the Little River Trail. Elkmont is an abandoned town with buildings that have sat untouched for decades. The buildings are now heavily deteriorated and overgrown, giving them an eerie feel. If you get scared easily, you might want to visit during the day. However, if you visit when it’s dark out, there are rumors that you may spot some apparitions among the decaying structures.
12. Foothills Parkway
Foothills Parkway is a beautiful scenic drive that goes through the Smoky Mountains. Only segments of it are open to the public because it’s the oldest unfinished parkway near the Smoky Mountains. It has been in progress for over 75 years. When driving down the parkway, you’ll get incredible views of the mountains and forests, especially if you visit in the fall. There are several observation points where you can get out of your car to take in the views more.
13. Mingus Mill
Mingus Mill is only a half mile from the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. It’s a beautiful historic mill that was built in 1886. The mill was powered when Mingus Creek turned the waterwheel attached to the structure. The waterwheel still turns today, and despite being so old, the structure can still function as a gristmill.
You can tour the mill to see the mill in action and learn how all the mechanisms work. It’s also a popular photo spot because of the unique historic architecture. At the end of your tour, you can purchase some of the locally-made items, such as cornmeal, flour, and jam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are few questions tourists wonder when planning their trip.
What is the Highest Elevation at the Smoky Mountains?
Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Smoky Mountains, which is 6,643 feet. If you’re not afraid of heights, consider walking to the top of the observation deck.
How Big is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is 522,427 acres. That’s more than half of Rhode Island’s size.
How Far are the Smoky Mountains from Pigeon Forge?
Pigeon Forge is just outside of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so you can reach the park from Pigeon Forge by driving about 20 minutes. Pigeon Forge is full of family-friendly attractions and delicious restaurants.
How Far are the Smoky Mountains from Gatlinburg?
Gatlinburg is a city touching the Smoky Mountains, and one of the entrances is even in Gatlinburg. So, if you’re staying in Gatlinburg, it won’t take you more than 10 minutes to reach the edge of the Smoky Mountains. Gatlinburg has a beautiful attraction called a Walk Between Trees, which gives you beautiful views of the nearby national park.
Plan Things to Do in Smoky Mountains TN!
If you were unsure what to do in Smoky Mountains, hopefully this article gave you a few things to try. Visiting the Smokies involves a lot of hiking, exploring, and sightseeing. So, if you love admiring the great outdoors, it can be an excellent destination for you. However, if you’re looking for a more laidback adventure, you may want to consider other fun things to do in Tennessee instead.
Leave a Reply