Best Things To Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Robert DeckerGreat Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States, spanning over 800 square miles of scenic beauty along the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. Known for its mist-covered mountains, diverse wildlife, historic buildings, and over 800 miles of hiking trails, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers year-round adventure and serenity in equal measure.
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Hi, I'm Rob Decker — photographer, graphic artist, and lifelong explorer of America's National Parks. I've visited 55 of the 63 national parks, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park remains one of my favorites. Whether you're planning your first visit or returning after years, here are the best things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
Auto Touring
With 384 miles of scenic drives, auto touring in the Smokies is a must. Most roads are paved and well-maintained, offering spectacular views of lush forests, mountain streams, and historic structures. Notable routes include:
- Cades Cove Loop Road
- Cataloochee Valley
- Newfound Gap Road
- Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
- Upper Tremont Road
Fishing
Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers more than 2,900 miles of streams, with 600 miles supporting fish populations. Popular species include rainbow trout, brown trout, native brook trout, and smallmouth bass. Whether you’re fly fishing in a high-elevation stream or casting into a shaded pool, angling here is serene and rewarding.
Hiking
Hiking in the Smokies offers four-season beauty. Spring wildflowers, summer waterfalls, fall colors, and winter vistas make this park a year-round hiker's paradise. Trails range from kid-friendly paths to strenuous backcountry treks. Stop by a Visitor Center for trail maps and seasonal recommendations.
Horse Riding
Horseback Rides
Guided rides are available from March through November. Four park stables offer scenic rides from 45 minutes to several hours, all at a walking pace.
Hayrides
Take a 1.5–2-hour hayride around Cades Cove Loop Road. This open-air ride in a hay-filled trailer is a favorite among families. Some are even ranger-led!
Carriage and Wagon Rides
Carriage and wagon rides offer a nostalgic way to explore the park:
- Carriage Ride: Cades Cove, near Townsend, TN
- Wagon Ride: Smokemont, near Cherokee, NC
Picnicking
Picnic areas are located throughout the park, including Cades Cove, Chimneys, Deep Creek, and Metcalf Bottoms. Some, like Metcalf Bottoms and Deep Creek, stay open year-round. Reserve a picnic pavilion for group gatherings up to a year in advance.
Waterfalls
With abundant rainfall and mountainous terrain, the Smokies are rich in waterfalls. Popular hikes lead to Grotto, Abrams, Rainbow, and Laurel Falls — but even roadside stops reveal stunning cascades.
Waterfalls You Can Drive To
Meigs Falls
Located 13 miles west of Sugarlands Visitor Center on Little River Road, Meigs Falls is easy to miss — but worth the stop.
The Sinks
Located 12 miles west of Sugarlands Visitor Center, this powerful cascade is fed by the full force of Little River.
Place of a Thousand Drips
Especially dramatic after rainfall, this site features multiple channels of water splitting and dripping around the rocks.
Wildlife Viewing
The best places to see wildlife in the park are open areas like Cades Cove and Cataloochee. Look for elk, black bears, deer, and wild turkeys during the early morning or evening hours. Bring binoculars and remember to scan the treetops — animals like raccoons and squirrels are often overhead!
Celebrate Your Adventure with a National Park Poster
Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, commemorate your trip with a WPA-style Great Smoky Mountains National Park poster. These posters, created by photographer Rob Decker, celebrate the unique spirit of America’s most beloved parks.
Click here to see the Great Smoky Mountains National Park poster.
Rob Decker is a photographer and graphic artist who studied under Ansel Adams in Yosemite National Park at age 19. He is now on a mission to visit and document all of America's national parks, creating WPA-style posters that inspire people to explore, protect, and remember these treasured landscapes.
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