Top Things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
What to do and see in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park: The Best Things to do for Honeymoon
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1. Little River Road
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 218 reviews
Scenic road through the Great Smokies.
Reviewed By crystalm37 - Gatlinburg, United States
It snowed our first night in town so we decided to venture into the Smokies. Little River Road had amazing views of the mountains. Most of the ride from Sugarlands Visitor Center to Miegs Falls was a Winter Wonderland with white fluffy snow! It was beautiful!
2. Alum Cave Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 418 reviews
One of the most popular hikes in the park, it is the quick route to Mt. LeConte Lodge.
Reviewed By explorcation - Florida, United States
This trail is known to be the most hiked trail in the Smokies and for good reason. It follows a river in the beginning, takes you through a naturally formed rock arch and leads you to the Alum Cave Bluffs. You can decide how far you want to take the trail. If you want to do a full day hike you can take it all the way to the Mount LeConte peak! Hiking to the peak can take between 6 to 10 hours depending on your pace and how frequently you stop. The whole trail is so beautiful it would be hard to not stop frequently. This area is very popular, so arrive early to get a spot in the parking lot. During our visit many cars had to park along the side of the road. If you are planning a trip and want to see some video footage of the Alum Cave Trail check out our Alum Cave Trail hiking video on our YT Channel Explorcation. The link is in our bio. It also includes some more tips for visiting. Happy trip planning!
3. Mount LeConte
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 280 reviews
One of the most popular hiking mountains in the park.
Reviewed By Bee_Keeper_05 - Crossville, United States
We hiked Mt LeConte yesterday, and it was worth the soreness I am feeling now. Such a challenging day! We took Bulls Head up to LeConte Lodge (7.82 miles)and came down toward Rainbow Falls. There are a lot of views on the Bulls Head Trail, a lot more then the Rainbow Trail. The fires cleared the trees for amazing views! The burnt trees stood like statues refusing to fall, and surprising like art themselves. There are not a lot of switch backs on the way up and it is a climb to summit. I was surprised of the temperature drop, once on top. It was was pretty cold, and. Was glad I had hiking pants on. LeConte Lodge was so neat to see, and a must see. Rainbow Falls was good, but very crowded and I did not stay long. Highly Recommend
4. Newfound Gap Road
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 744 reviews
Reviewed By MaryKop - Colorado Springs, United States
Being from the west, we miss all the deciduous trees turning green in the spring..such a beautiful drive, winding road with pull outs to enjoy all the creeks and waterfalls, etc...worth it--we spent hours wandering along this road.
5. Chimneys Picnic Area
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 325 reviews
Reviewed By melissabubash - Cincinnati, United States
I ended up in Chimneys Picnic Area because my husband and I were going to hike the Cove Hardwoods Nature Trail (our legs needed a break...the trail was disappointing after the massive hikes we'd already completed). The picnic area though was absolutely beautiful. Great sites to hang out for the day including picnic tables and grills. We were there Memorial Day weekend and at the trail head around 9am and people were already staking out spots for the day. So I would recommend going very early to get the prime spots along the stream.
6. Foothills Parkway
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 577 reviews
Reviewed By CountryChick94 - Velpen, United States
Did a June motorcycle trip in the Smokies, and the Foothills Parkway was great. The "missing link" was our favorite stretch. The missing link has enough curves and hills to give you the joy of a mountain ride without the challenges of the Tail of the Dragon. The road is very well cared for, not much traffic, and a lot of pull-offs for site seeing. Ask the locals if you need to know how to get to the missing link. They're happy to tell you why it's called that and how to get there!
7. Roaring Fork
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,313 reviews
Reviewed By tgny23 - Alexandria, United States
Definitely worth driving through Roaring Fork! A one way drive through the Smoky Mountains with so much to see! We went over several bridges and were able to enjoy Little Pigeon Stream before it became an actual river. There are several old abandoned structures from yesteryear to explore and appreciate. There are are few great spots to stop and take a photo of downtown Gatlinburg from above the town. We were intent on seeing a bear, but we never did locate one, but several others I talked with did see a bear. Take it all in, it’s breathtaking.
8. Spruce Flats Falls
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 130 reviews
Reviewed By Alex0518 - Fort Mitchell, United States
A moderate trail. Rocks and stumps so watch your step. A couple of nice views along your hike. Somehow uphill both ways lol. Beautiful waterfall makes a perfect place to cool off and have a snack. Not as trafficed as some of the other Smoky Mountain trails
9. Clingmans Dome
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,972 reviews
The highest peak in the park.
Reviewed By E93QZthomasc - Ridgeland, United States
Be in shape to hike this half mile straight up trail to Clingmans dome,, you can drive up and dont have to do the hike It is ABSOLUTELY Amazing!The drive , traffic and views are awesome, went in November and saw snow and Ice, (not on the road) Huge Icicles on the Huge ountain Rock .the Cedar trees and views are spectacular the smell of the cedar tries, awesome, Live Christmas trees everywhere, WATCH YOUR STEP, Do Not get to close to the edge ! you are a mile high !
10. Sugarlands Visitors Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,019 reviews
GSMA Store Locations and HoursCades Cove Visitor Center HoursOpen every day except Christmas Day.January 9:00 am - 4:30 pmFebruary 9:00 am - 5:00 pmMarch 9:00 am - 6:00 pmApril – Aug. 9:00 am - 7:00 pmSept. – Oct. 9:00 am - 6:00 pmNovember 9:00 am - 5:00 pmDecember 9:00 am - 4:30 pmLocationInside the park near the mid-point of the 11-mile, one-way Cades Cove Loop Road.Special ProgramsRanger-led programs are conducted seasonally. Check at the visitor center for times.ExhibitsIndoor and outdoor exhibits of Southern Mountain life and culture. Includes Cable Mill, a grist mill which operates spring through fall, the Becky Cable house, and other historic structures. Available FacilitiesGreat Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. Public restrooms. Oconaluftee Visitor CenterHoursOpen every day except Christmas DayJan. - April 8:30 am - 4:30 pmMay 8:30 am - 5:00 pmJune – Aug. 8:00 am - 6:00 pmSept.- Oct. 8:30 am - 6:00 pmNov. – Dec. 8:30 am - 4:30 pmLocation1194 Newfound Gap RoadCherokee , NC 28719Inside the park, 2 miles north of Cherokee, NC, on US-441Special ProgramsRanger-led programs conducted seasonally. Check at the visitor center for location and times.ExhibitsThe adjacent Mountain Farm Museum contains a fascinating collection of log structures including a farmhouse, barn, smokehouse, applehouse, corn cribs and others. Demonstrations of farm life are conducted seasonally.Available FacilitiesGreat Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. Public restrooms and telephones. Soda and water machines. Backcountry permit station. Sugarlands Visitor CenterHoursOpen every day except Christmas Day.Jan. – Feb. 8:00 am - 4:30 pmMarch 8:00 am - 5:00 pmApril - May 8:00 am - 6:00 pmJune – Aug. 8:00 am - 7:00 pmSept. – Oct. 8:00 am - 6:00 pmNovember 8:00 am - 5:00 pmDecember 8:00 am - 4:30 pmLocation 1420 Little River RoadGatlinburg TN 37738Inside the park, 2 miles south of Gatlinburg on US-441Special Programs Ranger-led programs conducted seasonally. Check at the visitor center for locations and times. Exhibits Free admission to 20-minute film about the park. Extensive natural history exhibits. Available Facilities Great Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. Public restrooms and telephones. Soda and water machines. Backcountry permit station. Gatlinburg Welcome Center - DowntownHours Open every day except Christmas Day.10:00 am - 6:00 pmLocation520 ParkwayGatlinburg TN 37738At traffic light #3 on the parkway in downtown GatlinburgAvailable FacilitiesGreat Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. City of Gatlinburg information. Public restrooms and telephones.Gatlinburg Welcome Center - On the Spur between Pigeon Forge and GatlinburgHoursOpen every day except Christmas DayApril - October 8:30 am - 7:00 pmNovember - March 8:30 am - 5:30 pmLocation1011 Banner RoadGatlinburg TN 377382 miles outside of Gatlinburg on US-441 SouthAvailable FacilitiesGreat Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. City of Gatlinburg information. Public restrooms and telephones.Sevierville Visitor CenterHoursOpen every day except Christmas Day.9:00 am – 6:00 pmLocation3099 Winfield Dunn ParkwayKodak, TN 377641.25 miles from Interstate 40/81 on Highway US-66 near SeviervilleAvailable FacilitiesGreat Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. Sevier County, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville information. Public restrooms and telephones.Townsend Visitor CenterHoursOpen every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.Jan. - May 9:00 am - 5:00 pmJune – Oct. 9:00 am - 6:00 pmNov.- Dec. 9:00 am - 5:00 pmLocation7906 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy (U.S. 321)Townsend TN 37882Available FacilitiesGreat Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. Townsend and local area information. Public restrooms and telephones.Historic Grist MillsCable Mill in Cades CoveHoursOpen From March 15 through the Sunday following Thanksgiving 9:00 - 5:00LocationInside the park near the mid-point of the 11-mile, one-way Cades Cove Loop Road.ExhibitsWater-powered grist mill.Mingus Mill near OconalufteeOpen From March 15 through the Sunday following Thanksgiving 9:00 - 5:00LocationInside the park, 2 miles north of Cherokee, NC, on US 441.ExhibitsTurbine-powered grist mill.Tremont Institute
Reviewed By NancyF406 - Des Moines, United States
Very nice visitor center with lots of books, gifts, trail guides, clothing, kids books and games and - jams and jellies and pickle relishes. the3 Rangers have great hints and in the entry are lots of pamphlets about different aspects of the park: history, trial, falls, etc. there is also a nice area where they have some stuffed animals and insects and birds to begin to learn about the fauna in the park.
