The Smokies

The Great Smoky Mountains welcomed over 12 million visitors in 2024—and it’s easy to see why. Vast views, cozy meals, and trails that beg to be explored make this park a favorite for anyone craving a little wild mixed with comfort.

HIKING

• Alum Cave to Mt. Leconte

  • Location: Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte, Tennessee - 15,021 Reviews, Map | AllTrails 

  • Difficulty: 11-14 miles (depending on how far you go) | Strenuous | Elevation Gain=3,077 ft | steady incline the first 5-7 mil

    es

  • Travel Tips: START EARLY. There are two main parking lots for this trail, and typically they fill up by 9:00 am. The afternoons are very busy, so getting an early start is the best move!

Alum Cave Bluffs

There are options to completing this trail. You can stop at this point (Alum Cave Bluffs) about 2.3 miles in, after climbing many stairs and seeing beautiful views--a great option for those hiking with children.

BUT should you choose to keep going, you won't be sorry. Keep hiking another 2.7 miles, and you will reach Mt. Leconte Lodge. If you are looking for a beautiful view, do NOT stop at the Lodge (more to come about this).

Cliff Tops

LeConte Lodge is the highest guest lodge in the eastern US. It is a simple setup with upper and lower double bunk beds with options to have a cabin to yourself/your party or stay in the lodge where you have a private bedroom but share a common space. No electricity. For more information, please visit Home - Leconte Lodge. If you are interested, book quickly, as rooms run out fast.

Myrtle Point

Once you've reached the LeConte Lodge, follow the trail markers to either Cliff Tops or Myrtle Point. This is where the views will be best! Either of these will add about an extra 1-1.5 miles so be prepared.

• Charlie's Bunion

  • Location: Charlies Bunion via Appalachian Trail, Tennessee - 9,800 Reviews, Map | AllTrails

  • Difficulty: 8 miles | Moderate | Elevation Gain=1,886 ft

  • Highlights: The best part of this trail is truly the end view. The hike there is filled with a tree-covered trail, and you will get pockets along the way.

  • Travel Tips: park at the Newfound Gap parking lot

    
    

    

• Chimney Tops

  • Location: Chimney Tops Trail, Tennessee - 8,574 Reviews, Map | AllTrails

  • Difficulty: 3.6 miles | Hard | Elevation Gain=1,286 ft

  • Travel Tips: this is also a very busy trail. Go in the morning!

  • Highlights: Once you reach the end view, there will be a gate stating, "Trail Closed." After the fires in 2014, upkeep of the trail beyond the gate decreased, thus "closing" the remainder of the trail.

    Since then, hikers have the option to move around this gate and move forward to the rockface formation. If you are particularly adventurous, you can even climb this rock formation. PROCEED WITH CAUTION: individuals have been injured doing so.

• Andrew's Bald

  • Location: Andrews Bald Trail, North Carolina - 3,330 Reviews, Map | AllTrails

  • Difficulty: 3.6 miles | Moderate | Elevation Gain=875 ft

  • Travel Tips: Parking is located in the same lot as parking for Kuwohi (formerly known as Clingman's Dome); again, start early to reserve parking

    

• More Trails

  • Rainbow Falls | 5.1 miles | Hard | 1,594 elevation gain | Rainbow Falls Trail, Tennessee - 13,029 Reviews, Map | AllTrails

  • Grotto Falls | 2.6 miles | Moderate | 521 ft elevation gain | Grotto Falls via Trillium Gap Trail, Tennessee - 8,928 Reviews, Map | AllTrails

  • Kuwohi Observation Tower | 1.3 miles | Moderate | 337 ft elevation gain

    • This is the highest point in the park; however, the observation tower has the same view as the parking lot, so completing this trail isn't necessary to get beautiful views.

    • Typically closed in the Winter months.

WHERE TO EAT/DRINK

Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge (the two main towns near The Smokies) have an endless supply of restaurants, cideries, and wineries.

• Pancake Pantry--cinnamon roll pancakes?! ALWAYS! Pancake Pantry, Gatlinburg, TN – Tennessee’s First Pancake Specialty Restaurant

• Ole Red--the restaurant owned by Blake Shelton. Great drinks, solid food, and frequently has live music. Live Country Music, Restaurant & Bar - Ole Red Gatlinburg

• Jason Aldean's--the mac n' cheese is the way to go. Gatlinburg - Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar

• Gatlinburg Wine Trail

  • Try five of the best wineries/cideries in the area. For only $10, you can try ALL of the wines at these locations. Visit all of the locations and receive a stamp and you will get a free shirt.

    • Tennessee Cider Company

    • Tennessee Homemade Wines

    • Smokin' Banjo

    • Old Mountain Wine Company

  • If you don't want to pay $10, you can do their "three for free" deal at each location; try three of their wines for free.

  • For more info Gatlinburg Wine Trail: Taste At Your Own Pace - PigeonForge.com

JUST FOR FUN

If hiking isn't your thing, not to worry! There is still plenty to do in the area including:

• Dollywood | Amusement Park | Dollywood Parks & Resorts | Family Fun In Pigeon Forge, TN

• Anakeesta | Treetop area with walking paths, restaurants, and drinks | Anakeesta Mountaintop Adventure Park in Gatlinburg Tennessee

• Hillbilly Golf | a unique mini-golf experience, riding an incline railway cart to the mountaintop hill where there are two 18-hole courses to choose from. If you return for a second game, you get a discounted price.