fall view in the great smoky mountains national park

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gsmnp hiking trails

How to Prepare For a Smooth Hike in the Smoky Mountains

January 23, 2026

A Smoky Mountain hike is a great activity that allows you to enjoy fresh air and the peace of nature. Are you planning to hike for the first time? Luckily, we've got some tips to make the process easier. Explore this guide to preparing for a smooth hike in the Smoky Mountains:

chasteen creek cascade

Hiking to Chasteen Creek Cascade in the North Carolina Smokies

January 9, 2026

Want to explore more of the North Carolina side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park? From Deep Creek Falls to Indian Creek Falls, there are some beautiful waterfalls in the area where you can watch the water rush over the rocks. Another waterfall hike you should know about is the trail to Chasteen Creek Cascade! Keep reading to learn more about where to find the trailhead and what to expect along the way.

smoky mountain hike

4 Reasons Why You Should Take Your First Smoky Mountain Hike

December 22, 2025

Are you looking for a new hobby to take on or a way to get a little exercise and enjoy nature? If so, consider going hiking in the Smokies. Let us tell you about all the reasons why we love it! Simply keep reading to learn more about why you should take your first Smoky Mountain hike:

sugarland mountain trail

Your Guide to Hiking the Sugarland Mountain Trail

December 8, 2025

The entire Sugarland Mountain Trail is nearly 12 miles long, stretching from Kuwohi Road all the way up to Little River Road near Laurel Falls! If you’re not ready to commit to a 12-mile trek, you’ll be happy to know that you can choose to hike just the upper portion or the lower portion for a shorter trip. This guide breaks down the trailhead locations and trail highlights for each portion, so you can decide which one you want to try!

lakeview drive tunnel

Everything You Need to Know About Hiking the Goldmine Loop Trail

November 26, 2025

It seems like the Smokies have endless miles of trails. If you're new to hiking, there are a lot of great beginner-friendly trail options that allow you to admire the scenery without much effort! Let us tell you about one in the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina. Here is your guide to hiking the Goldmine Loop Trail:

snowy mountains

Guide to Winter Hiking in the Smoky Mountains

November 12, 2025

As long as you don’t mind the cold, winter is an amazing time to go hiking in the Smokies. The trails will be less crowded and there is a good chance you might even see some snow! There are an array of different hiking trails that are perfect during this time of year. Here is the ultimate guide to winter hiking in the Smoky Mountains:

smoky mountain hikes for couples

4 of the Best Short Smoky Mountain Hikes for Couples

November 2, 2025

The Smoky Mountains are a great place to spend time with your sweetheart. The memories will last when you take stunning pictures in the beautiful natural scenery. The best part? You don’t have to hike for long to see some gorgeous sights, including waterfalls! Here is a list of the best Smoky Mountain hikes for couples that are less than 5 miles roundtrip:

Beard Cane Trail

Hiking the Beard Cane Trail in Cades Cove

October 29, 2025

We love giving visitors to the Smoky Mountains great trail recommendations. Hiking is a popular way to explore the timeless beauty of the area. There are miles and miles of trails to choose from. Read on to learn more about one of our favorite less-traveled routes. Here is your guide to hiking the Beard Cane Trail:

cove mountain trail

4 Questions to Ask Before Going Hiking in the Smoky Mountains

October 15, 2025

Proper planning is the key to both a safe and fun hike in the Smoky Mountains. You may have questions about the park if you’ve never been here. You could also be an avid hiker who wants to be better prepared. Whatever the case may be, we have the answers. Simply keep reading to find out! Here is a list of 4 questions to ask before going hiking in the Smoky Mountains:

kanati fork creek

Your Guide to Hiking the Kanati Fork Trail

September 29, 2025

One of the lesser-known hiking trails on the North Carolina side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Kanati Fork Trails follows a creek through the forest for a beautiful hike that can easily be added to an even longer hike high on a mountain ridgeline along the Thomas Divide Trail. Plus, it’s also one of our favorite wildflower hikes in the spring! Here is your guide to hiking the Kanati Fork Trail:

silers bald

Hiking to Silers Bald via the Appalachian Trail

September 17, 2025

Are you an experienced hiker who is looking for a new trail to explore during your next visit to the Smokies? You might not have heard of Silers Bald before, but you’ve certainly heard of the Appalachian Trail, and this high-altitude meadow is worth experiencing for yourself, as is the iconic AT in the Great Smoky Mountains! Here is your guide to the Silers Bald hike:

backcountry camping smoky mountains

Everything a Hiker Should Know About Backcountry Camping in the Smoky Mountains

August 28, 2025

Do you love to camp? Experience Great Smoky Mountains National Park in a new way by planning a backcountry camping trip! This guide provides some helpful information, from the best hikes and campsites to what you need to know about making reservations. So if you want some ideas for great places to enjoy backcountry camping in the Smoky Mountains, then keep reading!

GSMNP entrance sign

A Hiker’s Guide to the Smoky Mountain Parking Pass

August 16, 2025

In March 2023, the NPS enacted the requirement for parking tags in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. While the Smokies continues to be one of the only national parks in the country that doesn’t have an entrance fee, this small parking fee is required for vehicles parked for longer than 15 minutes. Whether you’re planning your first hiking trip ever or your first since the parking tag requirement, here’s everything you need to know about the Smoky Mountain parking pass:

hatcher mountain trail cades cove

Hiking the Hatcher Mountain Trail in Cades Cove

July 30, 2025

Some of the trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park are known as “connector trails”, paths that are tucked away and connect multiple trails to each other. So while these types of hikes aren’t as popular by themselves, using connector trails is a great way to spend an entire day exploring multiple hikes in one area of the park. The Hatcher Mountain Trail is one of the great connector trails, so read on to learn more about this beautiful hike in Cades Cove!

lynn camp prong cascades

Hiking to Lynn Camp Prong Cascades in Tremont

July 14, 2025

The Smokies are known for their many beautiful waterfalls. No matter how tall they are, it is fun to watch the water rush down into the pool below. Let us tell you about one of our favorite waterfalls that you can hike to at Tremont in the Great Smoky Mountains. It is a short trail that is suitable for all experience levels, so read on to find out everything you need to know about hiking to Lynn Camp Prong Cascades.