Great Smoky Mountains & Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Use this guide to get a quick overview before you visit the area. Don’t miss the beautiful hikes in the National Park, the unique sightseeing opportunities in Gatlinburg, and the engaging dinner shows in Pigeon Forge.
HIKING
Check out the Hiking in the Smoky Mountains website for an alphabetical list of the hikes with parking info and trail descriptions.
For easy hikes I recommend Laurel Falls, Grotto, Baskins Creek Trail, or Abrams Falls. For more intense hiking I would recommend Chimney Tops or Rainbow Falls.
Chimney Tops Trail is a 3.8 mile round trip hike that takes you to one of the only rocky mountain tops in the Smokys.
Clingman’s Dome - the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, about 23 miles from Gatlinburg.
It's 7 miles to the end of Clingman’s Dome Road, and there are scenic pullouts with endless views of ridges and valleys along the way. The road ends in a large parking area from which a 0.5 mile steep, paved trail leads to the observation tower at the summit.
Roaring Fork Loop - a 6 mile one way loop for driving with mountain streams and historic buildings. Multiple trails start from this loop.
Rainbow Falls (5.4 miles roundtrip)
The tallest waterfall in the Smoky Mountains. Moderate hike.
Grotto Falls (2.6 miles roundtrip)
It’s the only waterfall in the Smoky Mountains Park that you can walk behind.
Baskins Creek Trail (3 miles roundtrip)
Baskins Creek Falls is one of the parks best kept secrets
11 mile, one way loop through a broad valley with lots of historic buildings surrounded by mountains. This is a great place to see wildlife, especially black bears.
Numerous trails originate in the Cove:
Abrams Falls
Spence Field (roundtrip 10.3 miles)
Spence Field (via Anthony Creek) for beautiful panoramic Views
Cades Cove Nature Trail.
Longer hikes to Thunderhead Mountain and Rocky Top (made famous by the popular song) also begin in the Cove.
Cataloochee - valley area with lots of elk
Laurel Falls - 2.6 mile hike, easy trail.
Forbidden Caverns - you can take a cave tour.
Swimming Holes
Midnight Hole (70 ft wide and 10 ft deep) - From Sevierville take I-40 East to Waterville Exit; Turn R then veer L onto Waterville Rd. Follow straight to Big Creek entrance. Pass the ranger station, and park in the lot just beyond Big Creek trailhead. Follow the Big Creek Trailhead 1.4 miles, and you will see the Midnight Hole on your left. Half a mile from the swimming hole is Mouse Branch Falls (45 ft tall).
Metcalf Bottoms – popular area with swimming, bath houses, picnic tables. A short hike from the historical Little Green Briers School and the Walkers Sisters Cabin.
Abrams Falls Swimming Hole – at the base of Abram Falls in Cades Cove.
GreenBrier – On the west prong of the Little Pigeon River below the rapids. Super Clear Water. From Gatlinburg head East on HWY 321, travel approximately 7 miles, and then you will see these pools along the left side of the road.
The Townsend Y – a very popular swimming hole. Easy access inside the entrance to the National Park. Large pool where the Little River and the middle prong of the Little River meet. From HWY 441 turn left onto Wears Valley Road. Drive approximately 12 miles to TN-73. Turn left onto this road and follow it to the pools.
Take the drive from Gatlinburg, Tennessee to Cherokee, North Carolina, directly through the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The scenery is incredible, and there are numerous spots to stop, take in the view, or walk some of the trails.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
White Water Rafting - there are many great options in the area!
$38.95/person, it starts from downtown Gatlinburg. Ride the iconic yellow chairlift to Crockett Summitt, cross the SkyBridge - the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America, take in the panoramic views at Clayton’s Landing. Explore the 1.5 mile trails system and take SkyTrail to Tulip Tower and learn about the park’s diverse flora and fauna. Check out the SkyDeck amphitheater and enjoy the view.
AMUSEMENT PARKS & MUSEUMS
Download the Visit Gatlinburg, Tennessee App.
Ober Gatlinburg (Winter Ski Park)
Aerial Tramway - Ober Mountain ($29/person)
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
Ripley's Believe It or Not! Gatlinburg | Tickets, Hours, Events
You can purchase combo tickets with other attractions like the Odditorium, the Guiness World’s Record Museum, Mirror Maze, Mini Gold, Mountain Coaster etc.
Dollywood - Theme Park & Water Park
WonderWorks (Indoor Amusement Park and upside down museum)
Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge
DINING
Dixie Stampede (dinner theatre)
Dolly Parton's Stampede Dinner Attraction - dinner and a horse show. (***We enjoyed this experience).
Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show - dinner theatre Family Feud Style
Paula Deen's Lumberjack Feud Supper Show | Pigeon Forge, TN - “this ain’t no song and dance show, it’s an axe swinging, log rolling, tree climbing and dog jumping Axe-tion packed family experience unlike anything else in the Smoky Mountains!”
Best Italian – recommended by some friends
Blaine’s Grill and Bar - this New Orleans style restaurant features a balcony with a view of downtown and the Smoky Mountains (**We ate here on the balcony and loved it).
Loco Burro Fresh Mex Cantina (It has a rooftop patio. Looked pretty cool).
LODGING (most of these options are for 2 people)
Gatlinburg TN Cabins | Smoky Mountain Rentals & Suites (long list of all of them)
Autumn Ridge Rentals - this Family run business offers 5 secluded cabins with beautiful views spread out over 7.8 acres. ***We stayed at the McKenzie Cabin and enjoyed our experience there.
