Great Smoky Mountains National Park

North Side (Gatlinburg & Newfound Gap Road):
🥾 Mount LeConte via Alum Cave Trail (11 miles, 3,061 feet elev. gain): This popular out-and-back trail takes hikers through Alum Cave to the park’s third-highest peak, which offers opportunities for stunning sunrises and sunsets.
🥾 Charlies Bunion via Appalachian Trail (8 miles, 1,886 feet elev. gain): Charlies Bunion is a rocky outcrop that provides beautiful panoramic views of the park’s northern terminus. It can be most easily accessed via the AT starting at Newfound Gap.
🥾 Chimney Tops (3.6 miles, 1,286 feet elev. gain): This trail guides hikers to its namesake, a rocky ridge that provides great views of the heart of the park. Arrive at this trail early, since parking can be scarce during peak visiting hours.
🥾 Rainbow Falls (5.1 miles, 1,617 feet elev. gain): One of the park’s most beautiful waterfalls can be accessed by its namesake trail, whose trailhead is near Gatlinburg. The trail continues past the waterfall to Mount LeConte. Trailhead parking can be scarce.
🥾 Laurel Falls (2.4 miles, 403 feet elev. gain): Against my better judgment, I still thought Laurel Falls deserved a mention on this list. This easily accessible waterfall is beautiful, but has become overrun with careless tourists in recent years. Since 2021, the NPS has implemented measures to manage crowds and rehabilitate the trail. Visit Laurel Falls if you must, but bring your patience.

West Side:
🥾 Abrams Falls (5.0 miles, 616 feet elev. gain): This large, gorgeous waterfall near Cades Cove is a popular hiking destination and is worth the miles to see up close.
🥾 Look Rock Tower (0.8 miles, 170 feet elev. gain): Located along the Foothills Parkway that circles the western edge of the park, this short hike is worth a stop if you’re embarking on the scenic drive. The trail takes you to a lookout tower that provides a stunning view of the Smokies to the east.
🥾 Twentymile Loop (7.7 miles, 1,381 feet elev. gain): Nestled in the quiet woods on the western side of the national park, the Twentymile Loop offers a serene walk through the forest. Along the loop, you’ll cross several bridges over the Twentymile Creek.
🥾 Shuckstack Fire Tower (6.6 miles, 2,244 feet elev. gain): This short section of the Appalachian Trail traverses a rising ridge line that culminates in the summit of Shuckstack, which houses a rickety old fire tower. If you’re brave enough, climb the fire tower for unbelievable views of the western Smokies and nearby Fontana Lake.

South Side:
🥾 Deep Creek Waterfall Loop (2.4 miles, 413 feet elev. gain): The one worthwhile hike in the southern corridor of the Smokies guides you through a lush forest as you pass three waterfalls: Juney Whank, Indian Creek, and Tom Branch. While you’re here, pay a visit to downtown Bryson City for dinner, drinks, souvenirs, and ice cream.

East Side:
🥾 Mount Cammerer Summit (11.1 miles, 3,149 feet elev. gain): Though long, the trek to reach the rocky summit of Cammerer is absolutely worth the effort. Consider hitting this hike in the fall, when vibrant foliage creates an artists palette across the park’s landscape.
🥾 Mount Sterling Summit (5.3 miles, 1,942 feet elev. gain): Mount Sterling houses a fire tower that provides sweeping views of the eastern Smokies. This hike offers comparable views to some of the longer hikes on this list, but with fewer miles.

🎒 Backpacking: Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the definition of a backpacker’s paradise. Frequently-placed campsites and shelters equipped with bear cables and over 800 miles of trails make it easy to spend days or weeks in the park’s beautiful backcountry. Secure backcountry permits in advance and consult the park’s trail map to plan your trip adequately.
⛺ Camping: The park offers a whopping ten developed frontcountry campgrounds that accommodate overnight stays. Most campgrounds offer similar experiences, so pick a campground based on your preferred location in the park.
🗼 Clingmans Dome: Visitors can drive to the park’s highest point and access its observation tower – which provides 360-degree views of the park – via a paved trail.
🐻 Cades Cove: Those looking to see wild black bears should consider a stop in Cades Cove. To avoid traffic, consider biking to the cove on Wednesdays, when the road is closed to motor vehicles.
🌄 Watch a Sunrise or Sunset: The park offers incredible viewing opportunities for sunrises and sunsets (see photos below). Mount LeConte, Clingmans Dome, Charlies Bunion, Shuckstack, and Mount Sterling are just a few places where you can view them.
🐴 Horseback Riding: Many of the park’s trails are friendly to horses, and local concessioners offer guided horseback rides.
🦎 Search for Salamanders: Many species of salamanders can be found throughout the park. Salamanders are easy to spot in cool, moist areas at night.

🏙️ Gatlinburg: This resort town sits directly north of the park and is a popular lodging spot for those who do not want to camp. It is loaded with guided outdoor attractions, fun restaurants, museums, and shops. If you’re passing through, check out Log Cabin Pancake House for a breakfast you’ll never forget.
🏙️ Pigeon Forge: Pigeon Forge is a resort city and Gatlinburg’s more garish, extravagant neighbor. Those driving to the Smokies from the north will likely find amusement in simply looking at the city’s colorful attractions on the way to the park. Pigeon Forge offers plenty of family-friendly amusement and can be a fun spot to spend a day.
🌲 Nantahala National Forest: This sprawling forest in North Carolina is home to many stunning hikes and overlooks. Check out the hikes to Cullasaja Falls, Pickens Nose, and Albert Mountain.
🏙️ Asheville: The city of Asheville is a culturally vibrant city in North Carolina whose popularity has grown greatly in the 2020s. Its home to plenty of restaurants, bars, live entertainment, and access to nearby hiking & the famous Blue Ridge Parkway.
🌲 Pisgah National Forest: Like the Smokies, Pisgah is a backpacker’s paradise. It’s also home to Mount Mitchell, the highest point in North Carolina.

📅 When to Visit: Personally, I recommend visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park from either May-June (spring) or September-October (fall). This is when the park is at its best weather-wise and the natural colors are most vivid. Summer is also a good time to visit, but prepare to deal with hot temperatures at low elevations and frustrating crowds.
⌚ How Long to Visit: To enjoy the highlights in the Smokies and to see nearby attractions, budget 2-4 days at a minimum. Those seeking greater adventure in the park’s backcountry can easily spend a week or more on its trails.
🚗 How to Get There: The park is easily accessible by car from many major cities and population centers. If you are visiting from afar, consider flying into Atlanta, Charlotte, or Asheville.
🛏️ Where to Stay: The park maintains ten developed frontcountry campgrounds that offer reservations during peak season. Additionally, the park features dozens of backcountry campsites. Those looking for more comfortable lodging can look no further than Gatlinburg.
🧳 What to Bring: Bring your usual hiking, camping, and/or backpacking gear, depending on what your plan in the park is. Bring bear spray if you plan to spend lots of time outside, and layers if you plan to visit the park’s higher elevations (where temperatures can be 10-20 degrees cooler than below). Sturdy hiking boots and trekking poles are helpful on the park’s rugged trails.

✅ DO start popular hikes early or late in the day to avoid crowds and to find parking.
✅ DO venture at least a mile beyond trailheads in the park, as this is the best way to escape crowds found near the park’s roads.
✅ DO be prepared for noticeable changes in temperature as you gain or lose elevation in the park.
✅ DO bring a garbage bag to hold litter on the park trails. Unfortunately, litter is more common in the Smokies than in other national parks. Help keep the park clean.
❌ DON’T approach bears, elk, or other wildlife. Give them at least 50 yards of space.
❌ DON’T bring untreated firewood into the park, as this is a great way to introduce invasive or harmful pests into the park.
❌ DON’T embark on backpacking trips without the proper supplies or a map. Don’t leave without letting someone know your plan.