Are you looking for the best things to do in the Smoky Mountains? I spend every week exploring the park and surrounding towns, and as a result, I have found some pretty amazing spots and experienced some pretty amazing things. And I’m going to share many of them with you!
My ultimate Smokies bucket list includes a variety of activities in both the park and surrounding towns. So whether you like hikes, bike rides, scenic drives, swimming holes, waterfalls, cozy cabins, or adventure parks, you’ll find something for you on this list!
From hikes and river tubing adventures to scenic drives and unforgettable bike rides, here are 20 amazing things you HAVE to do in the Smoky Mountains!
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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)
Ultimate Smokies Bucket List
1. Bike Cades Cove on a Vehicle-Free Wednesday
Cades Cove is a charming scenic valley tucked into the heart of the mountains. Framed by rolling peaks and filled with active wildlife, historic cabins, and picturesque scenes, Cades Cove is a must-see on your visit to the Great Smoky Mountains.
And the absolute best way to explore this 11-mile looped road is by biking it! But not just on any ol day – only on vehicle-free Wednesdays in the summer!
Every Wednesday from May through September, the park staff closes the Cades Cove Loop Road to motor vehicles, allowing bikers and hikers to enjoy the path without the noise or threat of vehicles.
Enjoy a leisurely bike ride around the loop and the spur roads. You can explore the historic cabins, hike the trails, watch the wildlife, and, of course, admire the breathtaking views. All at your own pace! No vehicles tailing you.
Because of the lack of engine noise, bears are more likely to come out on these days, too! We see more bears on vehicle-free Wednesdays in Cades Cove than on any other day, time, or location in the park.
2. See the Synchronous Fireflies
Synchronous fireflies are a special species of fireflies that flash synchronously as part of their mating display. They are one of only a couple of species in North America that do this, making this an extremely rare phenomenon.
The synchronous firefly’s mating display occurs for about 2-3 weeks every year. At peak mating season, you’ll start to see the magic in the forest when it grows dark; the forest literally quivers with thousands of flashing lights.
It’s one of the most magical things I’ve ever witnessed.
To limit the impact on the fireflies and enhance visitor experience, the park hosts a ticketed 8-day event every year. To win permits, you’ll have to enter a difficult lottery. You can read all about this event and how to get permits here.
Pssst: There are also four ways to see the fireflies without winning the hard-to-get lottery permits! Read my blog post to find out what they are.
3. Hike to Andrews Bald
Just mere steps from Kuwohi, the tallest peak in the Smokies, is an epic trail that so many people skip: Forney Ridge to Andrews Bald.
Andrews Bald honestly might be my favorite hike in the Smokies. The trail is perfectly lush and scenic in the spring and summer, and the bald boasts gorgeous panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Couple that with the vibrant wildflowers in the late spring, Andrews Bald is unlike any other trail in the Smoky Mountains.
While the hike itself is scenic, and there are some glimpses of mountain views on the route, the best part of the trail is the end.
When the trees open up, you will walk on a narrow boardwalk across a meadow. Wildflowers cover this area in the late spring! Once you reach the summit of the bald, you’ll be surrounded by mountains, a sight that is truly remarkable on a clear day.
4. Take a Scenic Drive Through the Roaring Fork
The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a 5.5-mile one-way road that spotlights much of the park’s magic – scenic vistas, babbling streams, cascading waterfalls, lush forests, and active wildlife.
Roll your windows down as you navigate the narrow, windy, picturesque road in the Smokies.
Off the route are incredible hikes, as well. You can access waterfall hikes like Grotto Falls and Baskins Creek Falls, and even summit Mount LeConte from Trillium Gap!
NOTE: This road is closed in the winter. Click here for current closure dates.
5. Swim in Midnight Hole
Midnight Hole is one of the most picturesque swimming holes in the Smokies. It’s popular for a reason. With its shallow emerald water, cascading waterfalls, and jumbo boulders that beckon cliff jumpers, Midnight Hole is the ideal place to cool off in the hot summer months.
This swimming hole is tucked away in Big Creek, 1.5 miles from the Big Creek Trailhead. Unlike other roadside swimming holes in the Smokies (like Townsend Wye and The Sinks), swimmers must prepare to hike 3 miles roundtrip to access this dazzling swimming hole.
Don’t worry – the trail is easy, the hike is scenic, and the swimming hole is worth it. Plus, there’s a waterfall just a half-mile further from the swimming hole – Mouse Creek Falls!
6. Stay at the LeConte Lodge & Watch Sunrise/Sunset From the Peak
The LeConte Lodge is the only in-park lodging in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Since there are no roads leading to it, the only way to access it is on foot!
The minimum mileage you’ll be hiking to Mount LeConte and the lodge is 11 miles roundtrip. But it’s worth the trek!
There are many amazing routes to the top of Mount LeConte, ones that pass by waterfalls, one that passes a cave, and another that the llamas take! Read all about the routes to LeConte here in my full trail guide.
Near the peak, you are treated to stunning panoramic mountain views. And since you’ll be staying at the lodge overnight, you’ll be steps away from some of the most incredible sunrise and sunset spots in the entire Smoky Mountains.
For more info on the lodging options and how to reserve your stay, visit the LeConte Lodge’s official website!
7. See a Black Bear
Of course, I just had to add this to the list! You can’t have a well-rounded visit to the Smokies without spotting a black bear.
But if you come in the winter, you might not see one. While they don’t fully hibernate, they do enter a deep sleep. They’re only lulled by warm weather. So if you’re here in the winter on a cold day, chances are very slim that you’ll see one.
So how can you ensure you see one? Well, I’ve got several tips for you! While this won’t guarantee that you’ll see a bear, following one or more of these tips will give you the best chance at seeing one of these adorable black bears!
- Visit in the spring or summer.
- Visit from 6 AM to 10 AM.
- Visit from 3 PM to 7 PM.
- Drive the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.
- Bike Cades Cove on vehicle-free Wednesdays from May through September.
Read more about black bears in the Smokies in my full guide here.
8. Walk to the Kuwohi Observation Tower
Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome) is the highest peak in the Smoky Mountains. At its summit, an observation tower gives visitors sweeping, 360-degree mountain views. It’s hard to beat the views atop the tallest peak! The vantage point is unreal.
To access the tower, you’ll have to walk about 1 mile roundtrip up a very steep paved path.
Warning: Since this is the highest point in the Smokies, the weather up there isn’t always ideal. The warm weather season is slim, and conditions can change in an instant.
And the road to the tower is closed in the winter. If you want to access Kuwohi in the winter, you’ll need to snowshoe!
9. Camp by the River
Countless rivers crisscross through the park, making recreation possibilities endless. You can enjoy the water by swimming, tubing, picnicking, hiking, or…camping!
There are ten campgrounds in the park, and many of them have campsites by water! There is nothing quite like falling to sleep with the sound of the water rushing right behind your head, and waking up to the same sound. It’s a natural sound machine!
Here are some of my favorite campgrounds that each have riverside or creekside campsites:
- Abrams Creek
- Big Creek
- Deep Creek
- Elkmont
READ NEXT: Camping in the Smokies: Which Campground Is Right For You?
10. Go Snow Tubing at Ober
I’ve arrived at the first item on this list that’s not in the National Park! This is, in fact, in Gatlinburg, just a few minutes from the park.
Located in the heart of Gatlinburg is Ober Mountain, a year-round adventure park. And while I love this adventure park during all seasons, my absolute favorite time of year to visit Ober is in the winter.
Why?! Because of the snow tubing!
Snow tubing at Ober is a unique experience for many reasons.
One, they use fake snow! Since snow is rare in Gatlinburg, you won’t have to wait for a fresh coating of powder to go for a snowy ride down the hill! And this also means that you could be tubing in 70-degree weather (or warmer), as we did!
Two, they have a magic carpet. At Ober, you won’t have to walk tirelessly up the tubing hill after each ride. You’ll simply hop on the moving outdoor escalator with your tube in tow, and be lifted to the top of the hill!
Grab your snow tubing tickets here. Trust me, you’re going to have a blast!
11. Go River Tubing at Deep Creek
Deep Creek offers some of the most picturesque tubing routes in the entire park. Routes that will separate you from your tube and routes that will take you on a gentler, “lazier” float past an incredible waterfall.
And unlike many other popular tubing routes in the park, you won’t need to be shuttled. You can simply park your car, walk along the Deep Creek Trail (near the Deep Creek Campground) with your tube, put your tube in the water, and float back down to your car.
Here are the two most popular Deep Creek tubing routes:
- The adventurous route begins about 0.7 miles from the Deep Creek trailhead, near the Indian Creek Trail junction. From there, you can then tube back down to the trailhead parking lot or the picnic area.
- The “lazier” route begins just beyond the first bridge on the Deep Creek Trail (about 0.4 miles from the Deep Creek trailhead). You can tube back to the trailhead parking lot or the picnic area.
12. Hike to Spruce Flats Falls
Tucked away in the quiet Tremont area, Spruce Flats Falls is one of the least crowded waterfall trails in the Smokies. And it just so happens to be one of my favorite waterfalls in the entire park.
While Spruce Flats is scenic year-round, the best time to hike to the falls is in late spring, after a heavy thunderstorm. The way the falls roar and tumble down the cliff is a sight you just have to see with your own eyes.
13. Have a Picnic By the River
Since rivers are woven through the fabric of this park, picnic options are endless. While there are creekside and riverside picnic areas (like Metcalf Bottoms and Cades Cove), feel free to pull over at one of the endless pull-offs near the water, or hike along a creekside trail (like the Big Creek Trail!), and enjoy a quiet lunch with a view.
14. Walk the Longest Pedestrian Cable Bridge in North America
Here’s another Gatlinburg gem for ya! Ready for some jaw-dropping views of the Smokies that you don’t really have to work for? Look no further than the Gatlinburg SkyPark!
The Gatlinburg SkyPark is perched 500 feet above Gatlinburg and 1,800 feet above sea level, giving visitors stunning views of the rolling peaks of the Smoky Mountains.
Once you take the SkyLift to the top, you’ll find many things to do at the SkyPark. There’s a boardwalk trail (SkyTrail), a unique observation tower (Tulip Tower), and some hiking trails. There is also a cafe, a gift shop, outdoor games, and plenty of seating to enjoy the view.
But perhaps the most unique adventure at the park – and the reason that most people venture to the SkyPark – is the SkyBridge!
The SkyBridge is the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America. As you walk along the nearly 700-foot bridge, you’ll be rewarded with some of the most amazing views of the Smoky Mountains.
Book your tickets here.
15. Hike to Mount Cammerer
Mount Cammerer might be my favorite hike in the park. Did I say that about another hike already? Probably! But this is definitely Top 5.
But you have to really work for the views on this one.
The trek to Mount Cammerer is not for the faint of heart – or for the inexperienced. This one is for seasoned hikers only. Even though there are many routes to the top, the shortest and least strenuous is still 11 miles roundtrip with more than 3,000 feet of elevation gain.
But the trek is worth it. I repeat: the trek is worth it!
The finish line is an observation tower that boasts 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains. Walking on the balcony of the observation tower, you’ll feel like you’re standing on top of the world. The entire mountain range is seemingly spread out in front of you. It’s truly mesmerizing.
16. Drive the Foothills Parkway
The Foothills Parkway is a lesser-known, lesser-trafficked scenic drive in the Smokies. Similar to US-441 (the main drive in the Smokies), it offers many scenic vistas along the route. Unlike US-441, traffic is minimal, and solitude is easier to find.
Aside from scenic overlooks, the route boasts a campground, picnic area, and a cool hiking trail that leads to an observation tower.
The hike to the observation tower – Look Rock Tower – is actually the easiest hike to an observation tower in the entire park. You won’t want to miss this easy trail. Here are 7 other easy trails in the Smokies that you’ll want to check out!
17. Watch the Sunrise at Newfound Gap
Newfound Gap is a picturesque roadside overlook that straddles the Tennessee/North Carolina border. Those who don’t want to hike will love this overlook because you don’t have to work for your views. The views from the parking lot are stunning.
If you can, drive into the park before the sun comes up and watch the sunrise from Newfound Gap. Witness the sun bathe the mountains, listen to the birds wake up, and watch the colors smear across the sky like paintbrush strokes. It’s a truly remarkable scene.
18. Hike to Mouse Creek Falls
Mouse Creek Falls is in my Top 3 waterfalls in the park. There’s something about the way this 45-foot waterfall cascades down rocks before crashing and tumbling down Big Creek that really draws me in.
Anytime we go, we always sit on the giant boulder directly across the creek from the waterfall and just watch. The water moving through the creek is truly hypnotizing!
The best time to visit is actually in the winter and early spring, when the falls are on full display, there are no leaves on the trees to block the view, and the water is flowing at full volume.
19. Rent a Cozy Cabin in Gatlinburg
This is a classic Smokies adventure! There’s just something about renting a cozy cabin in the middle of the woods that really just screams mountainous adventure.
While cabin stays are great year-round, the best time to cozy up in a cabin is in the winter. Crank the fireplace up, fire up the hot tub, enjoy a chilly sunrise on the deck with a warm mug of coffee in your hands, and enjoy a scenic winter hike in the mountains.
20. Float the Little River
The Little River is another excellent river to float! This river flows through the park and exits the mountains before joining the Tennessee River.
For this river tubing adventure, I’d recommend River Rat. River Rat in Townsend (just outside the park) provides tubes and unlimited shuttle rides, so you can have a full afternoon (or day) of floating!
Just like Deep Creek, there are stretches of the Little River that are perfect for adventure seekers and others that are better suited for the casual “lazy” floater.
River Rat offers one of each: an adventurous ride that will likely lead to you being separated from your tube, and a lazier ride with a mix of relaxation and adventure.
Choose one or both!
READ NEXT: 3 Best Rivers to Go Tubing in the Smokies (+ Top Outfitters)
Finish Planning Your Trip to the Smokies
Take the stress out of trip planning and use my helpful Great Smoky Mountains guides!
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park Itinerary (From a Local!)
- Where to Stay in the Smokies: Breakdown by Town
- 16 BEST Views in the Smoky Mountains
- When Is the Best Time to Visit the Smoky Mountains? Each Season Compared
- 8 Best EASY Trails in the Smokies
- 7 Essential Things to Know Before Visiting Great Smoky Mountains NP
- Which Smokies Campground Should You Stay At?
Plan Your Smoky Mountains Trip By Season!
No matter which season you’ll be visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I’ve got guides to help you plan your trip!
- Smoky Mountains in the Winter
- Smoky Mountains in the Spring
- Smoky Mountains in the Summer
- Smoky Mountains in the Fall
Discover Your Next Adventure
Where to next? I’ve got some suggestions!
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