The Great Smoky Mountains National Park area is much more than
just beautiful mountains, scenic trails and breathtaking waterfalls. Although there
are more than 500,000 acres of wilderness to explore, there are also plenty of other
fun diversions for the whole family to enjoy.
Mt. LeConte is considered the 'Tallest Mountain East of the Mississippi
River', rising up from the valley (Gatlinburg) and towering over us at a height
of 6,593 feet! Exploring the Smokies by car gives you a great advantage, you can
see more in a short amount of time. But don't be timid, when you get to your destination,
get out and take a good look around, and remember that you are looking at our history,
culture and remembrances of things and a time long past.
Laurel Falls
2.6-mile round-trip hike on the Laurel Falls Trail. The trail is paved to the falls.
The trailhead is 3.9 miles west of Sugarlands Visitor Center on Little River Road.
Mingo Falls
(outside Park) A .5 mile round-trip hike. From Oconaluftee
Visitor Center, drive south on US 441 and take second left onto Big Cove Road. At
first stop sign, turn left and drive 4.5 miles to Mingo Falls Campground
Hen Wallow Falls
A 4.5-mile round-trip hike. Take the Gabes Mountain Trail that begins from the parking
area at the entrance to Cosby Campground. Beyond the falls, Gabes Mountain Trail
leads to old-growth forest.
Indian Creek Falls
A 2-mile round-trip hike. Take the Deep Creek Trail that starts just past Deep Creek
Campground
Juney Whank Falls
A .6 mile round-trip hike. The trail starts from the parking are just past Deep
Creek Campground.
Rainbow Falls
5.5-mile round-trip hike. The trail starts from the Rainbow Falls parking area on
Cherokee Orchard Road near Gatlinburg.
Ramsay Cascades
An 8-mile round-trip hike. Take US Hwy 321 (East Parkway) 6 miles east of Gatlinburg,
to the Greenbrier entrance to the park. Follow the signs to the Ramsay Cascades
trailhead.
Cades Cove
11 miles of Nature and the rich history of Tennessee. Deer, Wild Turkey, and sometimes
Bear find their way into your line of sight making this one of the most popular
tours here. Historical log homes, hand hewn in the Smokies, by early pioneers offer
fun & informative diversions along the way. It is also possible to walk, bike
or stroll along this paved road.
Newfound Gap Road
26 miles of curling twists up through the mountains of Tennessee & North Carolina,
reaching heights of 5,048 ft. Offering vistas, bluffs and roadside exhibits. An
excellent way to start your vacation in the Smokies.
Little Greenbrier
Park at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Park at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area and walk across
the bridge. Take the Metcalf Bottoms Trail .6 mile to the Little Greenbrier School.
If you wish, you can continue 1 mile from the school to the Walker Sisters farmstead
on the Little Brier Gap Trail. The Little Brier Gap Trail. This trail starts at
the barricade uphill from the school.
Old Sugarlands
Park at Sugarlands Visitor Center and ask directions to this trailhead. The first
two miles of this trail offer a glimpse of the old Sugarlands community, which predated
the national park. A 6.2-mile loop hike can be achieved by combining Old Sugarlands
Trail and Two-mile Branch Trail.
Old Settlers Trail
Follow the Road into the Greenbrier area and turn at the bridge toward Ramsay Cascades
Trail. Old Settlers Trail starts on the left just after the second bridge. The first
1.5 miles of trail pass through remnants of the old Greenbrier community
Kephart Prong
The trailhead is located at the footbridge over the Oconaluftee River 7 miles north
of Oconaluftee Visitor Center on the Newfound Gap Road. The first .25 mile of trail
passes by the site of an old CCC camp and fish hatchery
Cataloochee Valley
The Woody House in Cataloochee Valley. Follow the Rough Fork Trail from the end
of Cataloochee Road 1 mile to the Woody place and its 1800s home.