Did you know you can take an epic day trip from Knoxville to Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Knoxville to the Smokies is only about an hour drive, so even though it’ll be a full day of driving and exploring, you can visit this beautiful national park on a day trip from Knoxville.
In this guide, I’ll share my ideal Knoxville to Great Smoky Mountains day trip itinerary. I’ll share what to expect along the drive, what to pack, two different Great Smoky Mountains day trip itineraries to choose from, where to eat and stay, and more!
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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK AT A GLANCE
Before diving in, here are a few highlights for planning a trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
- Getting There: The closest airport to Great Smoky Mountains is McGhee Tyson, which is about 1 hour and 15 minutes from the Sugarlands Visitor Center. Find affordable flights here.
- Entrance Fee: No entrance fee but you do have to purchase and display a parking pass.
- Where to Stay: Camp in the park or stay right outside the park in the town of Gatlinburg, Townsend, or Cherokee. Read my Where to Stay guide here!
- How to Get Around: You’ll need to rent a personal vehicle to get around the Smokies.
- Best Time to Visit: March – October
- How Long to Visit: 3-5 days (Full itinerary here)
Knoxville to Great Smoky Mountains Day Trip Itinerary
Driving From Knoxville to Great Smoky Mountains
The drive time from Knoxville to Great Smoky Mountains varies, depending on which route you take and which entrance you go in:
- Knoxville to Townsend Entrance: 50 minutes
- Knoxville to Gatlinburg Entrance: 1 hour
Here are the most popular routes from Knox to the Smokies.
From Knoxville to Townsend: Take 129 to Maryville and 321 to Walland and Townsend. The drive from Knoxville to Maryville is all highway, but as soon as you leave the town of Maryville, heavy traffic will slide into your rearview, and the mountains will get closer and closer to your windshield. Soon, you’ll start winding through the mountains. The drive from Walland to Townsend is the most scenic!
From Knoxville to Gatlinburg: Take 441 from Knoxville to Seymour and 321 through Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. The drive from Knoxville to Gatlinburg is less scenic than the drive from Knoxville to Townsend, and this route is definitely busier. This is because you’ll drive through Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, two of the most congested, touristy towns.
DETOUR OPTION: If you’re looking to take the scenic route, consider driving a section of the Foothills Parkway on the way there or back! This will extend your route, but it’s worth it. This scenic parkway features jaw-dropping viewpoints of the Smokies and even a cool observation tower! Read my travel guide before you go.
What to Bring on Your Great Smoky Mountains Day Trip
- The 10 Essentials – If you plan on hiking, you’ll need to load a daypack with essentials – food, water, a first aid kit, knife, layers, map, shelter, fire starter, headlamp, and sun protection.
- Parking pass – If you don’t already have a parking pass, you’ll need to stop by a visitor center or kiosk to get one. You can read more about the parking pass and kiosk locations here.
- Hiking boots or shoes – For the trails!
- Packed cooler – Unless you’re going out to eat, I’d recommend bringing a nice quality cooler stocked with food and drinks. That way, you can maximize your time spent in the park!
Knoxville to Great Smoky Mountains Day Trip Itinerary: Townsend Area
For your Knoxville to Great Smoky Mountains itinerary, I’m going to recommend that you spend your time in the Townsend area.
If you prefer to spend your day near Gatlinburg, I will also share my one-day itinerary for the Gatlinburg area of the park later in this blog post.
Spruce Flats Falls
Tucked away in the quiet Tremont area, Spruce Flats is one of the least crowded waterfall trails in the Smokies. This is a perfect early morning hike because it’s often deserted before 10 AM.
With its short length (just 1.6 miles roundtrip to the falls), minimal crowds, and enormous reward (30-foot tumbling waterfall), it’s an easy add-on to your Smoky Mountains day trip itinerary.
Spruce Flats Falls is special because you can walk right up to the base of the falls. Unlike some of the others in the park, Spruce Flats grants you a golden front-row seat to the falls.
PRO TIP: For the heaviest flow, visit in the spring after a heavy rain! Since May is thunderstorm season in the Smokies, that is my favorite month to hike to this waterfall.
Cades Cove
Cades Cove is a classic Smoky Mountains destination. It’s an 11-mile, one-way scenic loop that circles a mountainous valley.
While you’re at Cades Cove, you can drive the windy, paved loop and stop at any of the waypoints. On the scenic route, you’ll find historic cabins, hiking trails, waterfalls, wildlife, and many jaw-dropping overlooks.
But the very best thing to do in Cades Cove is to bike the loop on a vehicle-free Wednesday in the summer!
On Wednesdays from May through September, Cades Cove closes to motor vehicles. You’ll be surprised how peaceful this valley is without vehicle noises and bumper-to-bumper traffic. Since you’re just sharing the loop with bikers and hikers, this is the ideal time to sightsee, view/photograph wildlife, explore the cabins, and hike the trails.
READ NEXT: Things You Need to Know Before Biking Cades Cove
Knoxville to Great Smoky Mountains Day Trip Itinerary: Gatlinburg Area
Prefer to spend your day in the Gatlinburg area of the Smokies?
Here is my one-day Knoxville to Great Smoky Mountains itinerary for the Gatlinburg area of the park!
Laurel Falls
With its short length (2.6 miles roundtrip to the falls), prime location, and massive reward (an 80-foot waterfall!), Laurel Falls Trail is easily one of the most hiked trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
This short hike leads to a beautiful two-tiered waterfall. View the upper falls from the boardwalk and then, if you’re feeling adventurous, take the steep climb to the bottom to view the lower falls.
Your best chance at avoiding the crowds is by arriving early – before 8 AM. You can read more about this popular trail and what to expect in my full Laurel Falls trail guide!
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail (Seasonal)
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a scenic, one-way scenic road near Gatlinburg. It’s 5 miles long and boasts many historic structures and hiking trails.
Before arriving at the one-way road, you’ll come across Ogle Place, a historic site with a short nature trail, and the Rainbow Falls Trailhead. Rainbow Falls is also on the itinerary, making it convenient to hike the trail before or after your drive through the Roaring Fork.
After Ogle Place and Rainbow Falls, you’ll enter the one-way Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. As you wind through the road, you’ll come across scenic overlooks, Baskins Creek & Grotto Falls trailhead parking lots (these are great trails!), historic cabins and structures, seasonal waterfalls, and peaceful streams.
Keep your windows rolled down as you drive so you can hear the rushing water!
NOTE: This road is open seasonally, usually from April through November. Here is the current info for the seasonal road schedule. If you’re visiting in the off-season, consider driving through Cades Cove instead.
Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls is another one of the most hiked trails in the park, and for good reason! You can access this trail from one of the main parking lots off Cherokee Orchard Road.
The semi-steep trail is around 5 miles roundtrip, climbing steadily along a rocky path up to the 80-foot waterfall. The trail follows the creek and even crosses it a few times. There are numerous waterfalls and tumbling cascades along the way, keeping the trail interesting and engaging the entire way.
BONUS: Bears are frequently spotted along this trail! We tend to see them high up in the trees!
READ NEXT: Why Are the Smoky Mountains Smoky? + Other Fun Facts!
Where to Eat Near the Smokies
Townsend Restaurants
- Casual Dining: Little River Pub and Deli, Riverstone Family Restaurant
- Nicer Dining: Trailhead Steak and Trout House
Gatlinburg Restaurants
- Casual Dining: Melting Pot, Split Rail Eats
- Nicer Dining: Peddler Steakhouse, Greenbrier Restaurant
Where to Stay in Knoxville
- Aloft Knoxville West – an eclectic hotel in West Knox
- Tennessean – luxury stay with a view of the Sunsphere
- Ancient Lore Village – unique fantasy-themed resort village
Knoxville to Great Smoky Mountains FAQs
How Do I Get to the Great Smoky Mountains From Knoxville?
There are several ways to get into the park from Knoxville. The route and entrance you take will depend on your itinerary.
Here are the best routes:
Knoxville to Townsend Entrance. Take 129 to Maryville and 321 to Walland and Townsend.
Knoxville to Gatlinburg Entrance. Take 441 from Knoxville to Seymour and 321 through Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
Can I See the Great Smoky Mountains In One Day?
Thoroughly, no, but there is still a lot you can do in a single day! I’d recommend visiting for several days if you can. Here is my ultimate Great Smoky Mountains itinerary.
READ NEXT: Best Outdoor Things to Do in Knoxville (By Month!)
Finish Planning Your Trip to the Smokies
I have a planning guide for each season! Each guide is loaded with the best things to do in that season, plus what you can expect in terms of closures, conditions, and crowds.
- Smoky Mountains in the Summer
- Smoky Mountains in the Fall
- Smoky Mountains in the Winter
- Smoky Mountains in the Spring
Discover Your Next Adventure
Where to next? I’ve got some suggestions!
- Burgess Falls State Park
- Cummins Falls State Park
- Rock Island State Park
- Foster Falls
- Fall Creek Falls State Park
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