A Non-hiker's Guide to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Updated: Dec 12, 2022
When I tell people that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is my #1 favorite national park, they are often surprised, asking why not one of the more “dramatic” parks out west. And honestly, it’s really difficult to explain why I love the Smokies so much. Maybe it’s because it’s the closest park to my hometown and so going there feels like going home. Maybe it’s the way the subtle beauty of the rolling hills with its varying shades of blues and greens draws me in. The GSMNP doesn’t have any star attractions like Yellowstone’s Old Faithful or the Grand Canyon’s, uh, canyon, but it has some sort of magic that brings me back again and again. My favorite activity there is of course hiking, and indeed, it is a hiker’s paradise with over 900 miles of trails! But I love this park so much that I want everyone to be able to experience it, so I’ve created this “non-hiker’s guide to the Great Smoky Mountains.” In this guide, I’ll detail various activities and stops that people of all ages and most abilities can do, from cultural exhibits to scenic drives to the best spots for wildlife spotting. I’ll even suggest a few very short and easy nature walks/hikes that are great leg stretchers (you knew I had to throw at least a few hikes in there!). So without further ado, let’s get exploring!
Cataract Falls:
A completely flat, 1.0-mile roundtrip hike to a small waterfall that starts behind the Sugarlands Visitor Center just outside of Gatlinburg, this is one of the GSMNP’s easiest ways to see a waterfall. The trail is easy to travel, but is not wheelchair- or stroller-friendly as the trail is mostly gravel and dirt. The hike takes you along a lovely creek and is in the shade of the trees the entire time, making a great stop to shake out your legs after sitting in the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg traffic.
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail:
No worries, no hiking required on this nature trail meant for driving! Also just outside of Gatlinburg, this one-way road takes you 5.5 miles through old growth forest and is a great place to see black bears. It features streams, old homesteads, grist mills, a couple of scenic overlooks, and even a roadside seasonal waterfall called the Place of a Thousand Drips, named for the way the water splits into many different channels along the rocks. Near the start of the motor trail is a short nature trail that takes visitors through an authentic farmstead once belonging to Noah “Bud” Ogle. Make sure to stop and explore the other several cabins along the road as well to get a sense of how one survived living in Appalachia back in the day. Keep the windows rolled down to best enjoy the sights and sounds, and be sure to switch into low gear for the downhill sections (learned that one the hard way). There are several trailheads along this road, but most of the trails are classified as moderate-to-strenuous — with the exception of Grotto Falls — and may not be suited for non-hikers. You can purchase a $1 guide to the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail at the visitor center or you can download it onto your phone here:
Cades Cove Scenic Loop:
This spot is one of the most popular areas of the Smokies and for good reason. Cades Cove is a stunning verdant valley surrounded by mountains, and was once the home of several early settler families. It’s a gorgeous place steeped in history, featuring several churches, cabins, a visitor center, a cable mill, and trails. A premier spot for wildlife spotting, crowds of people congregate to this 11 mile driving loop hoping to catch sight of a black bear. To avoid the frustration of having to stop every two seconds as the minivan in front of you slams the brakes to ogle at yet another deer, I recommend that visitors arrive either right at sunrise (when the gate opens) or late afternoon before sunset. Not only do these times allow for a more leisurely trip throughout the cove, they also offer the best chances to see animals. The road goes counterclockwise one way, but there are two two-way roads (Sparks Lane and Hyatt Lane) that cut through the middle of the cove that are useful if you need to cut your drive short or simply want a different vantage point from which to see the cove. Two easy walks worth doing include the 0.25 mile walk to the John Oliver Cabin towards the beginning of the drive, and the 1.25 mile Cades Cove Nature Trail loop past the visitor center. You can also purchase a $1 guide to Cades Cove at any of the visitor centers, right outside the loop, or online at:
Newfound Gap Road and Newfound Gap:
Connecting the Tennessee and North Carolina sides of the park, the Newfound Gap Road (or US 441) is a scenic drive that tops out at Newfound Gap. With plenty of parking and bathrooms (no potable water though!), it’s a great place to get out, snap some pictures of the view, and even straddle the TN-NC border. Some other great stops along the road include but are not limited to the Carlos Campbell Overlook, Chimney Tops Overlook, Morton’s Gap Overlook, Oconaluftee Valley Overlook, The Sinks, and Mingus Mill. Fall is a busy but spectacular time to make this drive as the Smokies simply explode with color.
Clingman’s Dome:
At 6,644 feet, Clingman’s Dome is the highest point in Tennessee and an absolute must-see for any visitor to the Smokies. The official high point is reached via a 0.5 mile one way walk up to an observation tower that offers 360 degree views. While paved and short, this hike is no joke as it climbs a steep 330 feet to the tower, making even the fittest of hikers huff and puff. The good news is that you can still get incredible views from the parking area. I have yet to enjoy the view from this tower as the first time I went it was rainy and foggy, and the second time I had just missed the sunset after a hike along the Appalachian Trail up to the Dome. Keep in mind that this area is not open during the winter months.
Spruce-Fir Nature Trail:
If you are looking to explore the park’s high elevation areas further, I’d recommend hiking the very short and flat Spruce-Fir Nature Trail on your way back from the Clingman’s Dome. This trail is not well known and isn’t even on the map, but can be found by parking at a small pull-off along the Clingman’s Dome Road marked only by a “Nature Trail” sign. The trail is an approximately 0.35 mile loop through a gorgeous forest of - you guessed it - spruce and fir trees.
Take a drive on the scenic Foothills Parkway:
The Foothills Parkway has a really interesting history. In the 1930s and 40s, the U.S. government authorized a bunch of scenic byways to be built, including the famous Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway. After discovering that the Blue Ridge Parkway would not extend into Tennessee, Tennessee got jealous and decided it wanted one of its own; thus the concept of a parkway snaking through Tennessee’s foothills was born. The plan was to have it extend 72 miles between the small towns of Cosby and Chilhowee, but it was never finished due to environmental concerns as well as the difficulty involved in constructing it. As of 2021, the Foothills Parkway is split into two sections: Foothills East and Foothills West. The East section is located in a far east section of the park and goes 5.5 miles from I-40 to the town of Cosby. It is worth a drive if you’re in that area, but the real star of the show is the West section. This 33 mile section starts in Wears Valley, TN, off of Wears Valley Road/Hwy 321 and heads west to Lake Chilhowee off of Hwy 129. Sunrise and sunset are magical times to be there, often with low lying fog in the morning and stunning colors in the evening. “Look Rock” is a great spot to stop for pretty views of the mountains from a small viewing platform at the parking lot. Across the street there is a half mile trail that leads to an observation tower, but it is all uphill. One thing to note about the Foothills Parkway is that it is not developed; the only restrooms are at the Look Rock Picnic Area.
Ride the Tail of the Dragon:
What, the curves of the Foothills Parkway weren’t enough for you? For thrill seekers and lovers of motorcycles and sports cars, head about 45 min south along Hwy 129 from the western endpoint of the Foothills Parkway towards the NC border. Get ready for the curviest 11 miles of your life as you drive the infamous Tail of the Dragon, noted for its insane 318 curves. No, that’s not a typo. Once you’ve made it through and have released your death grip from the steering wheel, you’ll find a plethora of nearby activities. You can continue your drive along the beautiful Cherohala Skyway, or you can move on to explore the southern sections of the Great Smoky Mountains NP. While this drive is not technically within the boundaries of the national park, it is a great way to get to lesser visited areas of the park.
Fontana Dam:
Built during WWII in response to a desperate need for electrical power, Fontana Dam is the tallest dam in the eastern US and is worth a stop if you are in the area. There is a seasonal visitor center as well as a nearby marina where you can rent watercraft for a fun day on the lake.
Go tubing down Deep Creek:
In the Deep Creek section of the park near Bryson City, NC, you’ll find a creek that is perfect for tubing on hot summer days. There are several companies nearby that offer tube rentals or you can bring your own. From the Deep Creek Trailhead, head up the easy trail about 0.7 miles to the Indian Creek Trail junction, passing the beautiful Tom Branch Falls along the way. This is a great place to put in if you’re looking for a bumpier ride with a few small “rapids.” If you’re looking for just a chill float, put in at the swimming hole just above the first bridge.
Oconaluftee Visitor Center:
At the southern/eastern terminus of Newfound Gap Road is the Oconaluftee Visitor Center on the North Carolina side of the park. There is an old homestead and farm here that visitors can walk around as well as a path that follows the creek. This is also a great place to see elk. For your best elk-viewing chances, come early in the morning or prior to sunset.
See the synchronous fireflies in early summer:
There are very few places in the world where one can see male fireflies flashing in unison, and the Smoky Mountains is one of them. This is an incredibly unique opportunity that occurs in late May or early June afforded only to those who win an annual lottery (entered via recreation.gov in April), but is well worth it. I got the chance to experience this phenomenon with my family several years ago and it blew my mind.
There are still so many more things to do and explore in the Smokies that don’t involve significant amounts of hiking, but I hope this list gives you a good starting point!
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