Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most popular National Park in the country. Since this park is spread out across two states – Tennessee and North Carolina – the topic of “which side is better” is often debated.
The short answer to this debate: both sides of the Smokies are beautiful!
But if you’re looking for the long answer, and you want a full comparison of both sides of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you’ve come to the right place.
So which side of the Smokies is better – Tennessee or North Carolina? In this guide, I will compare both sides of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I will reveal the different hiking trails, campgrounds, waterfalls, wildlife, things to do, and nearby towns and attractions that make each side/state unique and worth visiting.
⚠️ IMPORTANT: You need to display a parking pass on your vehicle when you’re inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park boundaries. Here’s everything you need to know.
Which Side of the Smokies Is Better?
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Tennessee Side of Great Smoky Mountains
Overview
The Tennessee side of the Smokies is the most visited for a reason. It is close to touristy destinations like Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, which each have endless activities, lodging, and dining options.
Inside the park on this side, there is an abundance of “crowd-favorite” hiking trails, exquisite waterfalls, bustling campgrounds, and popular viewpoints to keep visitors busy for days or even weeks.
Hiking Trails
There are hundreds of miles of hiking trails on the Tennessee side! You’ll probably recognize most of these “popular” hiking trails because they are the ones that Great Smoky Mountains visitors tend to flock to. And for good reason!
Popular Hiking Trails on the Tennessee Side:
- Laurel Falls
- Abrams Falls
- Rainbow Falls
- Alum Cave
- Mt. Leconte
Campgrounds
There are five campgrounds on the Tennessee side, all of which are unique from one another. You can choose to camp amongst hundreds of other campers or in solitude. You can camp near popular tourist destinations and hiking trails or on the quieter side of the Smokies.
- Abrams Creek
- Cades Cove
- Cosby
- Elkmont
- Look Rock
Waterfalls
The Tennessee side of the Smokies is known for its stunning waterfalls. A few waterfalls can be viewed from the roadside, but most require a hike.
Popular Waterfalls on the Tennessee Side:
- Abrams Falls
- Grotto Falls
- Laurel Falls
- Meigs Falls
- Rainbow Falls
Wildlife
Though elk, deer, coyotes, turkeys, and black bears frequent the Smokies, it can sometimes be difficult to spot them due to the dense forests that envelop the park.
For your best chance at viewing wildlife, venture into open areas and visit early in the morning or later in the evening.
The best two areas to spot wildlife on the Tennessee side of the Smokies are Cades Cove and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.
In the wide-open valley of Cades Cove, you can spot black bears, white-tailed deer, coyotes, woodchucks, raccoons, and turkeys.
The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is also great for spotting bears, deer, coyotes, and turkeys.
Popular Things To Do
Chasing waterfalls, hiking, and cruising scenic drives are common things to do on the Tennessee side.
Popular Things to Do on the Tennessee Side:
- Summit Mt LeConte via Alum Cave
- Hike to Laurel Falls
- Visit Clingman’s Dome (located on the TN/NC state line!)
- Drive through Cades Cove or bike on vehicle-free Wednesdays
- Hike to Rainbow Falls
PRO TIP: The very best thing to do in the Smokies is see the synchronous fireflies! Find out how to see the display without a permit and read about everything you can expect at this exclusive event!
What’s Nearby
If you visit the Tennessee side, you will be close to towns like Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, Townsend, Maryville, and Knoxville.
You will be near recreation areas like Cherokee National Forest and the Foothills Parkway.
Some Popular Things to Do Outside the Park:
- Gatlinburg: Ride the SkyLift and visit Ober Mountain
- Pigeon Forge: Visit Dollywood
- Sevierville: Visit the largest Buc-ees in the country and shop the Tanger Outlets
- Townsend: Explore the Tuckaleechee Caverns
- Maryville: Catch a movie at the Parkway Drive-In
- Knoxville: Take in the views from the top of the Sunsphere
- Cherokee National Forest: Drive to Bald River Falls and hike the river trail behind it
- Foothills Parkway: Stop at each overlook
North Carolina Side of Great Smoky Mountains
Overview
The North Carolina side is the least crowded and least visited side of the Smokies, but it doesn’t mean that it isn’t worth visiting.
In fact, many visitors venture to this side simply for the solitude and the wild, rugged atmosphere. It is near the quiet town of Cherokee, making it a more relaxing and simplified escape into nature.
Hiking Trails
There are hundreds of miles of trails on the North Carolina side. These trails are lesser known and more rugged than the ones on the Tennessee side.
Popular Hiking Trails on the North Carolina Side:
- Charlies Bunion
- Newton Bald
- Oconaluftee River
- Andrews Bald
- Chasteen Creek
Campgrounds
There are five campgrounds on the North Carolina side, all of which are unique from one another.
- Big Creek
- Balsam Mountain
- Smokemont
- Deep Creek
- Catalooche
Waterfalls
While the waterfall game isn’t as strong in North Carolina as it is in Tennessee, there are still some waterfalls worth seeing on this side of the Smokies.
Waterfalls Worth Chasing:
- Tom Branch Falls
- Indian Creek Falls
- Mingo Falls (just outside the park)
- Juney Whank Falls
- Twentymile Creek Cascade
Wildlife
Though elk, deer, coyotes, turkeys, and black bears frequent the Smokies, it can sometimes be difficult to spot them due to the dense forests that envelop the park.
For your best chance at viewing wildlife, venture into open areas and visit early in the morning or later in the evening.
The best area to spot wildlife on the North Carolina side of the Smokies is Cataloochee. Here you can spot elk, deer, raccoons, woodchucks, and turkeys.
There is also a wide-open field beside the Oconaluftee Visitor Center where elk are known to frequent.
Popular Things To Do
Experiencing the quiet side of the Smokies, embarking on rugged hikes, and observing wildlife are common things to do on the North Carolina side.
Popular Things to Do on the North Carolina Side:
- Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, just outside the North Carolina entrance
- Watch the elk at Cataloochee Valley
- Hike with dogs on the Oconaluftee River Trail
- Fish at Fontana Dam
- See the view from Newfound Gap
→ READ NEXT: 5 Dog-Friendly Things to Do in Great Smoky Mountains 🐾
What’s Nearby
If you visit the North Carolina side, you will be close to towns like Cherokee, Bryson City, and Cashiers.
And you will be near recreation areas like Nantahala National Forest and Pisgah National Forest.
Some Popular Things to Do Outside the Park:
- Cherokee: Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway
- Bryson City: Take a train ride through the park and go whitewater rafting along the Tuckasegee River
- Cashiers: Hike in Gorges State Park
- Nantahala National Forest: Hike to Whitewater Falls, the tallest waterfall east of the Rockies
- Pisgah National Forest: Hike to Craggy Pinnacle and Crabtree Falls
So Which Side Of The Smokies Is Better?
To review, both sides of Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Tennessee and North Carolina – are worth visiting.
Here is a summary of “what’s better” in each category to help you plan your trip and determine which side(s) is worth visiting for you!
- Best Easy Hiking Trails: Tennessee
- Best Rugged Hiking Trails: North Carolina
- Most Things to Do: Tennessee
- Most Peaceful Atmosphere: North Carolina
- Most Accessible: Tennessee
- Most Waterfalls: Tennessee
- Least Touristy: North Carolina
Discover Your Next Adventure
Where to next? I’ve got some suggestions!
