The Great Smoky Mountains National Park – what a unique and breathtaking place! Located both in Tennessee and North Carolina, it is the most visited National Park in the United States and is home to roughly 1,500 black bears, according to the town of Gatlinburg’s website. This is the closest we have come to staying inside a park.

Laurel Falls

This is one of the most popular waterfalls in the park, offering a 2.4 mile out-and-back hike. The trail provides an asphalt surface for most of the way, although it can become uneven quickly. Overall, it is an easy hike suitable for most visitors. Along the trail, we discovered an abundance of wildflowers including asters, downy lobelia, goldenrod, and false foxglove. There is also the perfect spot to pause and capture a picture of the distant mountains.

Upon reaching the falls, we found a viewing area at the base of the top falls, complete with a bench for those in need of a rest. Seeking more photo opportunities, we scrambled down to where we could see the lower falls and enjoyed afternoon snack while basking in the sunshine on the large boulders.

Cades Cove

This gem was recommended to us by the group that we rafted down the New River in West Virginia. Cades Cove provides an 11-mile, one-way loop road renowned for wildlife sightings. Our early morning start was fueled by the hope of spotting a black bear or elk, although, regrettably, none crossed our path. Nevertheless, we were treated to numerous encounters with wild turkeys, and Stephen even had the luck to spot a coyote during our drive.

Beyond its wildlife allure, Cades Cove is steeped in history, which I found particularly fascinating to explore. As you traverse the loop, you’ll come across historical buildings, inviting hiking trails, and a visitors’ center, each contributing to the rich tapestry of this remarkable destination.

Hen Wallow Falls

Hen Wallow Falls was our first hiking destination in the park. It was conveniently closer to our campsite than most other trails, and, well, it’s a waterfall! This hike gave me my initial taste of what hiking in that area had in store. At times, the trail was more tree root than earth and I carefully watched my steps, thankful for my trusty hiking poles as we ascended the mountain.

Along the way, we encountered mushrooms in various shades of red, brown, and white, crossed streams on log bridges, and vines so thick they could almost pass as trees. Just before reaching our destination, the trail steeply descended to the falls. Surprisingly, we encountered only a handful of fellow hikers on this trail, making it an incredibly tranquil and picturesque experience.

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

If you are seeking a scenic drive, consider taking this 5.5-mile one way loop located just a mile from Gatlinburg. This drive is a sensory delight as it twists and turns through the lush forest and alongside mountain streams, offering numerous awe-inspiring views. Furthermore, you’ll discover trailheads for Rainbow Falls and Grotto Galls along the loop, each with designated parking for each.

Exciting Day Trip Destinations Nearby

While there is an abundance of hiking trails to choose from in the park, along with a variety of activities, it’s worth mentioning that there are several other prominent travel destinations within easy driving distance that make for wonderful day trips. These include Knoxville, Tennessee; Pigeon Forge, Tennessee; and Asheville, North Carolina. Keep an eye out for future posts about each of these locations.

Four Insider Tips

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park No Longer Offers Free Parking

Starting from March 1^st, 2023, all visitors are now required to pay for parking. This marks the first time I’ve encountered parking fees in a National Park. Unfortunately, the implementation of this new system has been less than smooth, as we found parking passes available only at a kiosk located in the visitor’s center parking lot.

There are three types of passes available: a park specific annual pass for $40, a weekly pass for $15, and a daily pass for $5. However, at the kiosk we visited, only the weekly and daily passes were available for purchase.

To our surprise, even interagency annual or lifetime passes, sometimes referred to as America the Beautiful Passes, do not exempt visitors from the parking fee, making this one of the costliest National Park that we have visited.

Please note that visitors’ centers can become particularly congested and challenging to navigate on weekends. To mitigate this, my best recommendation is to obtain a weekly parking pass during the week or in the early morning hours to avoid the crowds and the need for multiple trips.

Carry Bear Spray

While bear attacks are infrequent, they remain a possibility, and having bear spray on hand can offer a non-lethal method to deter an aggressive bear and prevent harm. Bear spray is user-friendly and can be conveniently stored in an outside pouch or attached to the shoulder straps of a backpack using a clip-on carrier. 

As we explored less populated areas of the park, carrying bear spray provided us with peace of mind, knowing that we had a means of self-defense at our disposal. Thankfully, we were fortunate to never encounter bears while hiking.

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is NOT Dog Friendly

In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, dogs are allowed on only two trails: the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail. While this restriction is not unusual in many national parks, it stands in stark contrast to both Shenandoah and New River Gorge, where dogs are welcome on numerous trails throughout the region.

Visiting Gatlinburg Parkway

The Parkway is undeniably a tourist hub, where one can easily spend a substantial amount of time and money. It comprises a bustling mile-long stretch featuring a plethora of shops, restaurants, distilleries, captivating amusements, hotels, and a bustling crowd of people. Most shops open tend to open around 10AM and though their hours of operation appear to fluctuate depending on the season.

Parking comes at a flat fee of $20 per day at the Downtown parking lot, payable by debit or credit card only.  While there is free parking along River Road, it is notably limited. Our visit took place on a weekday morning around 10AM, in the hopes of securing a parking spot, but unfortunately, luck was not on our side.

Have you been to this park? What what is your must-see spot? Comment with your favorite places and any additional tips!