3 Fun Activities You Can Do in the Great Smoky Mountains
Want to spend some time in the Great Smoky Mountains when you’re in town? You may be wondering what all you can do in the mountains, and there are plenty of fun things to do! From exploring the woods to taking a relaxing drive, you have plenty of options on how you want to enjoy the Smokies. Check out these 3 fun activities you can do in the Great Smoky Mountains:
1. Go on a Hike
The most popular activity in the Smokies is hiking. There are over 800 miles of trails in the national park, and they range from easy to moderate to difficult. There are trails that are perfect for small children, people who want to start out slow, and older adults, such as Cataract Falls Trail, Elkmont Nature Trail, or even Laurel Falls. You’ll find several moderate hiking trails, from Abrams Falls to Grotto Falls Trail. There are quite a few difficult trails for people who love to hike, such as Ramsey Cascades to Gregory Bald Trail. You can also choose trails based on what you want to see. There are trails that go through the woods where you can see all kinds of plants and possibly wildlife, or you can pick a trail because you want to see a beautiful waterfall or sweeping mountain views.
2. Go on a Picnic
People love to go on picnics in the Great Smoky Mountains. There are quite a few picnic areas where you can use tables and charcoal grills. A few popular places include the Cades Cove and Metcalf Bottoms picnic areas. People love to pack coolers and bring stuff for sandwiches or other food to these areas. You can use the grills to make hamburgers and hot dogs. There’s also the option of grabbing a family pack meal from a local restaurant. Some people like to hike a trail with a picnic and pick a spot to have their meal, too. Whatever you decide to do, you’ll have fun going on a picnic!
3. Take a Scenic Drive
Another popular activity people love to do in the Great Smoky Mountains is go on a drive. There are so many great roads to drive on, and there are plenty of stops along most of them. Little River Road stretches from Gatlinburg to Townsend. You can see all kinds of beautiful plants, views, and sights along this road. Newfound Gap Road goes from Gatlinburg, Tennessee to Cherokee, North Carolina. There are many mountain views and popular stops along this road. Foothills Parkway is another popular scenic drive in the Smoky Mountains. This road is unique because there are several sections that are open, but the road isn’t completely finished. The most popular scenic drive in the Great Smoky Mountains is Cades Cove. You’ll see mountains, valleys, wildflowers, and possibly wildlife along this 11-mile loop. There are plenty of places to stop and check out historic buildings and other interesting places.
You have so many great things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains. Since you know what you want to do when you visit the national park, you just need a place to stay. Look through our Pigeon Forge hotel rooms and book one for your next trip!
