fall view in the great smoky mountains national park

Hikes

Abrams Falls in Smoky Mountains

3 Alternative Smoky Mountain Waterfall Hikes to Visit When Laurel Falls is Closed

December 31, 2024

The National Park Service is always doing maintenance around the Smoky Mountain National Park to keep the area safe for visitors. It is for this reason that the Laurel Falls Trail will be closed for a while in 2025. While the work is being done, use the time to enjoy the park's other great waterfall hikes. Read on to learn about some of them in preparation for your future visits. Here is a list of 3 alternative Smoky Mountain waterfall hikes to visit when Laurel Falls is closed:

alum cave trail winter

Your Guide to Hiking the Alum Cave Trail in Winter

December 14, 2024

Visitors love that they can hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park year-round. With that being said, this is your sign to plan a winter hike. Put on your cold weather gear and see the area while it looks like a real-life Winter Wonderland. If you need some trail recommendations, we've got you covered! Here is your guide to hiking the Alum Cave Trail in the winter:

smoky mountains in the fall

5 Best Fall Hikes in the Smoky Mountains

September 30, 2024

Fall in the Smoky Mountains is a wonderful time to visit! You can expect the trails to be littered with bright mixes of red, orange, and yellow leaves. Moreover, any vista point you pass will have a mesmerizing shade of fall colors to look at across the mountains. Because we want everyone to enjoy the beauty of the autumn season we have put together a list of the best fall hikes in the Smoky Mountains!

white oak sinks waterfall lesser known hiking trails in the smoky mountains

3 Lesser-Known Hiking Trails in the Smoky Mountains

June 25, 2024

If you love the popular hiking trails in the Smokies, you’ll be glad to know that there is much more area to cover! This is because the national park has over 850 miles of trails. Get prepared for your next visit by finding a new favorite route! Here is a list of 3 lesser-known hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains:

Mt. Cammerer Trail

4 of the Best Trails for Backpacking in the Smoky Mountains

March 20, 2024

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker’s paradise, with more than 800 miles of hiking trails meandering across its terrain. These mountains are full of diverse landscapes that range from open fields to dense forests to crystal-clear streams and spectacular waterfalls. It’s no wonder so many people enjoy exploring the wonders of nature in the Smokies on foot! If you’re looking for an epic overnight hike, check out these best trails for backpacking in the Smoky Mountains.

hiking in the smoky mountains along the alum cave trail

5 Iconic Features on the Alum Cave Trail to Look For

February 23, 2024

The Alum Cave Trail is one of the most famous hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and it’s the most popular way to hike to the summit of Mount LeConte. This trail has a lot of amazing things throughout your hike. In fact, there are so many iconic features in the first half of the trail that many people only go about halfway. Whether you hike all the way up to Mount LeConte or turn around at the Alum Cave Bluffs, you’re sure to see some fantastic sights along the way! Here are some of the iconic features on the <a href="/blog/hiking-alum-cave-trail-in-great-smoky-mountains">Alum Cave Trail</a> that you should keep an eye out for.

curry mountain trail sign

7 Best Trails in the Smokies You Probably Don’t Know About

December 21, 2023

Have you done a lot of hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains but want to find a new area to explore? The national park is filled with beautiful trails for all difficulty levels and offers year-round adventures for beginner and experienced hikers alike. Take a look at the best trails in the Smokies you might be aware of:

schoolhouse gap trail sign in the winter

Everything You Need to Know About Schoolhouse Gap Trail in the Smokies

November 29, 2023

Are you looking for a short, relatively easy trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Then you should consider Schoolhouse Gap Trail, a quiet forest hike! While there is no schoolhouse to be found along this trail, it most likely got its name from the children who probably walked through the area to get to school in nearby Townsend. Take a look at all of the details about Schoolhouse Gap Trail:

roundtop trail in the smoky mountains

Is the Roundtop Trail the Least-Traveled Hiking Trail in the Smokies?

October 26, 2023

Are you looking for a <a href="/blog/less-crowded-hikes-in-the-smoky-mountains-to-try">less crowded Smoky Mountain hike</a> with beautiful views, a peaceful river, wildflowers in the summer, and a relatively flat trail? Roundtop Trail checks all of those boxes and offers so much more! Keep reading to find out more about Roundtop Trail, one of the least-traveled hiking trails in the Smokies!

Charlies Bunion in the Smoky Mountains National Park

8 Best Hiking Trails in the Smoky Mountains National Park

October 9, 2023

With over 800 miles worth of hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains National Park, it’s hard to decide which ones are the best to try! We’ve narrowed down 8 Smoky Mountain hikes that vary in difficulty, but all have rewarding views to admire and peaceful walks to enjoy.

Mt. Sterling

Hiking Baxter Creek Trail to Mt. Sterling in the Smokies

September 27, 2023

Everyone knows about the <a href="/blog/hiking-to-mt-cammerer-fire-tower-smoky-mountains">Mt. Cammerer fire tower</a>, but did you know there is another fire tower at the top of Mt. Sterling? If you are looking for a challenging day hike with a forest of old-growth trees and beautiful panoramic views, then you should check out this Smoky Mountain hike! Here is everything you need to know about hiking Baxter Creek Trail to Mt. Sterling:

best hikes in the great smoky mountains

6 Best Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains for Beginners

September 11, 2023

Are you new to the Smokies or just looking for beginner-friendly hikes? Then you’re at the right place! We have everything you need to know about the best hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains for beginners:

smoky mountain fall colors

Top 5 Hikes For Viewing Smoky Mountain Fall Colors

August 18, 2023

The changing leaves bring a unique experience to hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Plus, it’s not quite as hot, so you can enjoy your time in the mountains even more! Take a look at these top hikes for viewing Smoky Mountain fall colors:

best trails in the smokies

The Curry Mountain Trail: An Underrated Smoky Mountain Hiking Trail

July 26, 2023

Hiking in the Smoky Mountains offers peaceful solitude in one of the most glorious areas of nature– it’s no wonder that millions of people visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park every year! There are hundreds of trails to discover, and if you’re looking for some quiet, tranquil forest and mountain air, the Curry Mountain Trail is one you should explore! Here’s everything you need to know about this underrated Smoky Mountain hiking trail:

thunderhead mountain from cades cove

Hiking to Thunderhead Mountain (Rocky Top) in the Smokies

July 24, 2023

Is hiking to the top of a mountain on your bucket list? If so, hiking to Thunderhead Mountain should be your goal– the views are unmatched and well worth the effort it takes to get there! It’s considered a strenuous hike, so it’s not necessarily beginner friendly. Keep reading to find out what you need to know about this day hike in the Smoky Mountains: