Great Smoky Mountain National Park is about an hour east of Knoxville, Tennessee and four hour drive from Nashville. An average of 12.5 million visitors a year visit the national park, making it is the most visited national park in the country! Admission to the park includes over 800 miles of hiking trails. There is no lack of things to do on my Complete Guide to the Great Smoky Mountains!

Best Time to Go

In my opinion, THE best time to see this national park is in fall time! Autumn colors start to pop up in higher elevations starting in mid-September and climb down the mountains until early November. Also enjoy the spring time as the snow melts off the mountain, making the waterfalls so epic for the wildflower blooming and baby animals everywhere.

Where to Stay

Give me a hot tub, fire pit, and location near the entrance to the park and I'm golden. There are amazing hotels and other types of amenities in Gatlinburg and all around the national park, but not inside the NP. I am not a huge fan of staying in town so here are a few Airbnbs that I have stayed in previously and loved….

GLAMP x Stay Minty

The Lodge at Dunn’s Creek

Blackberry Mountain Resort

The easiest way to get to the national park is to fly into either Nashville or Knoxville, Tennessee. I recommend flying into Nashville and doing the whole 4 hours road trip through the state. Make a stop at the largest gas station in Cookeville called Buccee’s. Or make a pit stop for all your groceries and last minute needs before hitting the mountains. I love stopping in Knoxville and exploring their thriving hipster scene.

How to Prepare

Definitely bring a car to be able to explore all the national park has to offer! Drive slow to avoid hitting wildlife that regularly crosses the streets. We've seen anything from wildcats, to elk, to even black bears! Click here for more information about bear safety and what safety equipment to bring with you if you're planning on hiking!

I recommend cooking at the cabin or on-the-go meals to picnic in the park to make the most of your mountain experience! But if you wanna try out some of the local cuisine, check out this blog on the best restaurants in the Smokies I wrote for Stay Minty’s blog, Minty Musts.

One more tip... don't forget to bring layers. Fall and elevation causes the weather to change through the day. So in your car with your layers and bear safety spray, where should you go?! I gotchuu. Click here to shop my Amazon shop front where I recommend the best glamping musts.

Things to Do

Cades Cove

This 11 mile, one way loop was once the home to the hunting grounds of the Cherokee Native American tribe. European settlers first homesteaded in the are around mid 1800's. The valley is now one of the most visited areas of the park. The drive typically takes around 2-4 hours depending on traffic, and during fall... there will be traffic. This to me was a bit frustrating because people are dicks. Ya know?! Try stopping along the drive to check out the multiple structures restored to their 19th century beauty and stretch yo legs!

Clingman's Dome

Being the tallest point in Tennessee (also cool to note that it straddles the TN/NC border), this spot is one of my absolute favorites. Clingman's Dome offers 360 degree views of the Smoky Mountains!

The road up to this spot can get very congested since it ends at the parking lot to the trailhead. Head up early or park along the road and hike up. Be warned that the hike up is pretty steep! You gain 300+ ft in elevation and the gradient is over 13% on a concrete incline. Worth it in my opinion!

Drive through the Mountains

My absolute favorite things about visiting the Smokies in the fall is that it surprises you. Around every turn there is a vista that makes you slam on your breaks and pull over. There is nothing like the excitement of finding something that was unexpected and spontaneous!

So rather than give you an exact location, take the route towards Clingman's Dome on GPS. Remember what turns you make just in case you lose cell service, because up in them mountains it gets kinda sketchy to keep connected to Maps. Hot tip: Save locations to your Google Maps beforehand (and download your maps to be offline) when you have service and the address to your Airbnb. You should be able to find routes without service. You will not be disappointed by every bend in the road.

Check out Downtown Gatlinburg

I was floored when I first laid eyes on downtown Gatlinburg. Personally, I think of it as a Redneck Disney World. The flashy animatronic bears next to the extravagant indoor putt putt is just not my bag. But if you are looking for some entertainment, casual drinks/treats, or souvenir shopping, check it out. It was worth it for the people watching tbh. We also did a tasting at the Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery that was fun!

Waterfalls

Mouse Creek Falls Smoky Mountains Waterfall Hike — Photo Cred NPS

Wanna take a swim? With year round rainfall and so much to explore, how do you narrow down the list to the closest and coolest spots in the park. Here’s where I recommend: Abrams Falls, Mouse Creek Falls, or Rainbow Falls

Hiking

Best-Places-to-See-the-Smoky-Mountain-Wildflowers-e1647459286299.jpg

Want to explore our lands more than just the waterfalls in the region?! Make sure to check out these epic hikes within less than an hours drive from most stays. Alumn Cave Trail, Schukstack Fire Tower, Andrews Bald.

Dollywood

Just named the number one theme park in the nation is the queen of Tennessee, Dolly Parton’s DollyWood. I can confirm that it is a GREAT amusement park and would 10/10 recommend this for my friends with kids. They have amazing food and live music. And as you can imagine the people watching is chef’s kiss. Bring loads of water!

Horse Back Riding

Enjoy being on the back of a horse for an hour through a shady trail at Jayell Ranch. You can experience more than just horseback rides with a view at this spot as well. Make sure to also check out their UTV, ATV, and extreme sliding adventures after your peaceful trail ride.

No reservations are necessary and it is first come first serve starting at $39 a person. Tickets get you access to the 4 mile, 1 hour, shady trail ride winds through more than 260 acres of the best scenery in the Smoky Mountains. Throughout the ride, you'll see views of North Carolina, Mount Leconte and Shield's Mountain Fort, taking a ride through Tennessee's true history.

Llama Hiking

This unique adventure includes a trail buddy, A LLAMA! Meet Walker Texas Ranger and his buddies on a trek through the woods and learn all about these llamazing animals. Steve and Joanna Garrett’s farm is fun for our animal lovers who want to get up close to big fuzzy creatures (ahem not bears). Click here to book your experience.

Zip Lining

The adventures aren’t limited to the ground in the Smokies. Take flight along some of the tallest zip lines in the country at several different spots around the national park and surrounding cities. I have limited them down to the biggest and baddest.

Race side by side at Climbworks, just a few minutes drive from GLAMP for 360 degree views or take on the fastest (over 60+ mph)/longest zip line in the area at Firefox Mountain. Most adventure parks have an age limit of at least 7 years old and weight requirement so make sure to check out these two places that meet your personal situation.

Sky Bridge

About 500 ft above downtown Gatlinburg is the 680 ft skybridge. These views will set you back about between $22-52, so book in advanced for the best deals. We did not do this on our trip and tbh the views of the mountains were enough for me. But if you are up for an adventure or aren't as big into the outdoors, this is a good option.

White Water Rafting

The Smoky Mountains are world renowned when it comes to their whitewater rafting adventures. In fact they are some of the fastest white water rapids in the USA. Enjoy the advanced Class 4 rapids of Upper Pigeon River or the Class III rapids for kids as young as 3 on Lower Pigeon River.

Check out Smoky Mountain Outdoors Rafting or Rip Roaring Adventures for the best of the best rapids. Each option provides guided tours that last around 2-3 hours each. There are multiple packages and we hope to be able to offer exclusive offers for guests soon. Make sure to bundle and save with their combo zip line packages with partners in the area.

Tubing

Less of a thrill seeker and wanna be lazy?! Check out River Rat Tubing in Townsend or Five Rivers near the glamping domes. This is the perfect activity for the summertime. The water will cool you off for a few hours. Just $20 for unlimited floats down the river. Make sure to bring water shoes as the bottom of the river and banks can be muddy and rocky. Age limit of 8 years and above. THEY ALSO HAVE PAINTBALL!

Explore Cherokee, NC

On the other side of the mountains from Gatlinburg lies a quaint village where the Cherokee Native American tribe has called home for centuries. The town has many shops full of fun turquoise and other souvenirs. The meadows in the area are known to be home to wild elk, that we were lucky enough to witness walking around!

Helicopter Rides

Wanna take in a birds eye view from above the Smoky Mountains?! Rides begin at $29 per person and range to full day tours all the way out into the national park or to Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary (supposedly haunted).

Crime Museum

If you are into the thrilling experience and interested in the macabre/possibly haunted side of the Smokies, check out Alcatraz East Crime Museum. Their private collection of some of the world’s most heinous crimes was shocking. Some of the most notable items are Gacy’s Clown Suits, OJ Simpson’s Bronco, and Dahmer’s Glasses. A true crime tourist trap that I actually recommend lol!

Shopping

There are loads of tourist traps in the area and I am here to guide you away from the strip and the outlet malls. I found a complete shopping guide on the tourism board’s website so you can chose the store that look like your style. But some of my favorite local owned boutiques include Cosmic Ties,

Make sure to also cruise through the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts road that includes an 8 mile stretch of shops and cafes, like the Painted Bear Coffee shop. Also try the Wild Plum Tea Room for a unique Austrian inspired lunch when the hanger sets in. On the 8 miles stretch of shops you’ll find local basket making, candles, glass shops, jewelry, leather, painting, pottery, soaps and fine art all made locally.

Where to Eat

There is lots of good ol country cooking so get ready for BBQ, sugar, and all the fried snacks. The best policy to eating well in the smokies is to plan out a menu and plan to cook. Most cabins and glamping facilities have grills and other fancy kitchen equipment there waiting to be used. When you don’t feel like cooking or find yourself out exploring at meal time, where are the best places to eat….

Sevierville: Trish’s Mountain Diner, Hungry Bear BBQ, Green Hemp Cafe

Pigeon Forge: Listening Room, Wear’s Valley Food Truck Park, Elvira’s Cafe

Gatlinburg: The Fox and Parrot Tavern, Smoky Mountain Brewery, Whole Earth Grocery

Events

Synchronous Elkmont Fireflies Event in the Smoky Mountains — Photo cred: Visit my Smokies

Last but not least, there is always something happening near Knoxville and in the Smoky Mountains. Each year they have a Wildflower Pilgrimage in late April, Hot Air Balloon Festival in August, and all sorts of vintage car shows. You can even enter a lottery to be chose to see one of natures craziest events every year, the Element Synchronous Firefly Shows. Check out the list of events in the area when you are planning on going!

Take away from this post?! Get out and explore the Smokies in Tennessee. With over 800 miles of hiking trails and countless things to do in the Smoky Mountain National Park, you will leave feeling like you've been some where and seen something amazing. Some of my favorite memories are from friends weekends in the Smokies so I am super fond of all the trips I have been able to take out there. Who is ready for a cabin weekend now?!

Complete Guide to the Great Smoky Mountains