Hiking with Kids in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a beautiful place to visit with your family. You will find something for everyone on your Great Smoky Mountains camping vacation from swimming in beautiful lakes and rivers to awe-inspiring hiking and views. With plenty of wildlife around, your kids will enjoy their time to spotting and observing the animals.

However, with the overall size of the national park, it can be a bit overwhelming to plan your family trip. This guide will help you plan the best experience for you and your family. It includes advice about hiking gear for kids, the best hiking trails for kids, and when to visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

What You Need to Know Before Visiting

Before making the trek to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Caroline, there are a few big things to consider. The first is the traffic. If you plan to partake in lots of sight seeing outside the park and don’t mind walking, Gatlinburg, TN is the perfect area to combine some national park hiking and sights with tourist attractions. If you plan to stay on the Gatlinburg side of the park prepare for traffic each time you enter or exit the park. The main street into the park is a tourist area where lots of tourists walk in the street bringing traffic to a stand still.

If you are more like us and wish to avoid the crowd, definitely look into the North Carolina side of the park, near Townsend, or in the Eastern part of the park. These areas are much less traveled and offer more solitude, plus you’ll avoid driving down the main road jam packed with tourist attractions your kids will want to try. The Townsend side of the park is easier to come and go from the park as you need. The North Carolina side is near the Cherokee Indian Reservation and National Forests.

On the Gatlinburg side you will spend time waiting on the main entrance road in traffic each time you leave and exit the park or need to take the Pigeon Forge bypass. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s explore the logistics before you visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

What is the Best Time of the Year to Visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

We suggest planning your trip for late spring, summer, or early fall to avoid the freezing temperatures found in the early spring, late fall, and winter. The late spring and summer tend to be the busy months at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so do expect lots of people to be around.

Traveling to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one hiking extravaganza you won’t want to miss with your family. With the change in elevation throughout the park, you will want to park for a variety of temperatures and some rainy showers, especially in the afternoon. Great Smoky Mountains National Park often has few nights were temperatures reaching freezing in the lower elevation from mid-April to mid-September.

For this reason, we highly suggest planning your trip to Great Smoky Mountians National Park in the summer. We made the decision to make the trek in late June and were pleasantly surprised with the weather. We had some thunderstorms, but nothing that kept us from enjoying the outdoors, especially since so much of the park is covered by dense forest. There were a few colder nights but also some warm days for us too. However, we never saw 100 degree weather and safely completed each of our hikes, and even multiple hikes in a day.

What about spring and fall? For the hiking family, spring and fall is probably preferably to summer because the weather will be much more mild. However, let us caution you that the weather does get near freezing at night. So you will definitely want to layer up and plan to be in a heated lodge or camper with heating for the night.

How to Get to Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

There are three main entrances into Great Smoky Mountains National Park with two in Tennessee and one in North Carolina. The first entrance is on TN-66 through Gatlinburg or use US-441 to head through Pigeon Forge and enter through the Sugarlands Visitor Center. While the Pigeon Forge bypass is less full of tourist attractions, you will encounter lots of traffic taking either of these entrances in the summer months.

The other entrance is near Townsend, just continue on TN-73 through the Townsend Visitor Center entrance. This entrance is on the more western side of the park, but is also near Cades Cove Visitor Center. Once you enter the park, you can travel throughout the national park without needed to head back out.

The final main entrance is on the North Carolina side of the park. Take US-441 through Cherokee and into the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Here you will be located more on the southern side of the park and will find far fewer tourist attractions and people as Great Smoky Mountains National Park borders the Nantahala National Forest on the southern border.

Animals in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina is home to many different kinds of animals. The Cades Cove area in Tennessee and the Cataloochee area in North Carolina are some of the best places to view wildlife in the park. You may encounter white-tailed deer, elk, raccoons, turkeys, woodchucks, and black bears. Another great area to search for animals when exploring the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with kids is the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, while is a leisurely drive down a 5.5 mile one way, loop road. It is located near the Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, TN.

Besides the large animals, you will want to prepare for the insect and spiders. You will want to bring some bug spray with you to protect against mosquitos, ticks, chiggers, and gnats. The Great Smoky Mountains are woodsy areas with lots of water sources. You will also want to prepare for the brightly colored large long-legged spiders as they are everywhere.

You will want to prepare your kids for the possibility of seeing more dangerous animals. Great Smoky Moutains National Park is home to black bears. For tips for encountering a wild animal, visit our post on Hiking Safely with Kids.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hiking With Kids

As you plan your trip with your kids, it is good to remember that there are 800 square miles of land within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This can be rather overwhelming if you have never traveled to this park before, and as many people will only travel here once in a life time, you definitely want to make the most of this vast land.

If you can, grab a Great Smoky Mountains National Park map. You will see that Great Smoky Mountains is divided into 3 main areas: Cades Cove, Gatlinburg, and Cataloochee. Cades Cove on the Westside is near Townsend, where you can explore Patson Branch Road, Rich Mountain Road, and Laurel Creek Road as you head to Gatlinburg. While the Cataloochee, North Carolina side on the east, over by Oconaluftee Visitor Center, is near the Cherokee Indian Reservation. Gatlinburg is much more centrally located with Newfound Gap Road connecting Gatlinburg to the North Carolina side.

How many days do you need in Great Smoky Mountains with Kids?

We planned 5 days and nights at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This was the perfect amount of time to do everything on our list and enjoy this beautiful national park with our kids. However, if your children are a bit older or you are more interested in spending some time in the local towns, you may wish to plan a longer trip. If you are looking to plan a shorter trip, that can be done as well.

Planning for 5 days at Great Smoky Mountains National Park with our kids allowed us plenty of time for driving to each area of the park. We planned two full days near the Sugarlands Visitor Center, another day by Cades Cove Visitor Center, and a day near the Oconeluftee Visitor Center. On the additional day, we were headed over to Clingman’s Dome Visitor Center, enjoyed some swimming and water play before heading for home. Many of the kid friendly hikes are located near Sugarlands Visitor Center, so you will want at least a day to explore this area if not more.

Kids Hiking Gear for Beginners

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is an amazing place for some short hikes for kids. However, you will want to be prepared. While stocking your kids up for hiking, you will want to have a hiking hydration backpack for each child and adult who is hiking and able to walk, as you will need plenty of water. Being in the mountains, you will also want a rain poncho or rain clothes for each person because the Great Smoky Mountains seems to always be raining somewhere.

Kid’s Hiking Hydration Pack

Our favorite hiking packs are these Miracol hiking hydration backpacks for our day hikes with kids. We have purchased a different color for each person so that it is easy to get ready each night for the next day.

We have found that these packs come with just the right amount of pockets to hold everything you will want to bring. Our children each carry their own first aid kit, water, lunch or snack (or both), rain poncho, and any other accessories necessary for the day like sunglasses, pocket knife, and compass. The water pouch holds 2 liters of water and is so easy to drink from our 3-year-old figured it out with no problems. The thermal insulated compartment is a must to keep water and food cool throughout your hike. And built right into the pack is a safety whistle too. We like our kids to carry a second better quality whistle, but having a spare is awesome with curious kids.

High Visibility Hats

We definitely recommend these high visibility hats if you are planning for hiking with kids at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We love the high visibility of these hats because you really can see your kids if they start to get too far ahead or fall behind from your group when pausing to explore. Plus all the other hikers we meet comment on their love of these hats and help us keep an eye on our kids as well. These also offer wonderful sun protection for your kids. The hats have a tie to keep them secure, especially on windy days. You can’t go wrong with this purchase.

Looking for more hiking essential gear for beginners, head on over to our post on Hiking Safely with Kids. You will see all our must have hiking gear for kids, plus learn our hiking safety rules and even being safe around animals.

What are the Best Hikes for Families in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

The Great Smoky Mountains includes over 850 miles of trails, including 70 miles on the Appalachian Trail. There are around 400,000 hikers who visit each year making this the most visited National Park by far. The majority of the people tend to come during the day time hours between 10am – 5pm, so we highly suggest getting out early for the well traveled hiking paths.

The Park Rangers and local stores on site will be your best resource for learning about the different hiking trails in the park. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers wonderful trail hiking maps for sale, which we definitely suggest purchasing if you plan to go on longer hikes. We found some of the signs a little confusing and while the trails are marked, many of them overlap and we needed a minute to figure out which way to continue.

If you are new to hiking with kids, we suggest looking for hikes shorter than 3 miles. These tend to be perfect for little legs and just getting started to build confidence. Three miles may seem really long, but most kids can complete a one mile hike in less than 30 minutes, so it should take less than 2 hours to complete the hike. Be sure to pack a snack, plan time for taking in all the views, and allow time for your little ones to explore.

As your kids become more experienced hikers with a few shorter hikes (3 miles or less) completed, you can slowly begin to try out longer hikes. After 3 summers of hiking National Parks, our young kids (7, 9, 11) were ready to tackle 10+ mile hikes in a day. If you are interested in longer hikes but have a younger child, we found that the backpack carriers were super nice and easy to help our little in and out throughout the hike.

Kid-Friendly Hikes near Sugarlands Visitor Center in Great Smoky Mountains

When hiking Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you will want to group your hikes by location as the park is 522,427 acres with 384 miles of roads and 850 miles of hiking trails. We found that the Sugarlands area was one of the more popular areas in the park, so definitely plan to arrive early to find parking.

The Gatlinburg area is a rather large area to explore. Many of the hikes are located south along Newfound Gap Road (441), while others follow southwest along Fighting Creek Gap Road, and still others lie to the east. This area is full of waterfalls, cascades, rivers, and creeks to explore as well as some wonderful nature trails that your children will love exploring. This area has quite a few trails and you can easily get turned around, so be sure to check out the hiking safety tips from our post Hiking Safely with Kids.

Cataract Falls Trail

Cataract Falls along the Fighting Creek Nature Trail is the perfect waterfall hike for beginners. This is a 1 mile easy out and back hike to a 25 foot waterfall. The waterfall is most impressive after it rains in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, otherwise the waterfall may look like a trickle or rather dry.

This trail begins at to the left of the Sugarlands Visitor Center. While the beginning of the trail is paved, it does turn to gravel as you hike. The entire path is well-worn and easy to follow. You will cross multiple bridges over Fighting Creek, but each bridge is well-maintained with handrails. When you arrive at the first bridge, be sure to take a look around for a unique tree with the perfect hiding place for little kids. Right before arriving at Cataract Falls, you will go under the highway and climb a small set of stairs with the falls to your right.

Laurel Falls Trail

Laurel Falls was one of our family’s favorite waterfall hikes. This is a crowd favorite, so be sure to arrive early to find parking. The National Park Service is monitoring the parking situation at Laurel Falls Trailhead closely. To arrive at the parking lot, begin at Sugarlands Visitor Center and follow Little River Road towards Cades Cove. The trailhead is about 3.5 miles down with parking on both sides of the road.

Laurel Falls Trail is a 2.3 mile moderate out and back trail which can be extended to 2.6 miles if you wish to hike towards the upper section of the falls. The extra 0.3 mile was well worth the beautiful views from the 80 foot falls. While this trail is mostly paved or gravel, the pavement is very rough and uneven. To get to the upper section of the falls you will cross a wonderful bridge to the other side, which made the perfect place to stop for lunch or a snack.

Our littles loved being able to play in the waterfall, find a rock to perch on, and cross the bridge. This waterfall hike. isa must for families with young children. Black bears are also frequently spotted along this trail, so be sure to review bear safety with your kids.

Sugarland Valley Nature Trail

From the Sugarlands Visitor Center, drive South along Newfound Gap Road (US 441) about 0.4 mile to the Sugarland Valley Nature Trailhead. This is a concrete accessible easy 0.5 mile lollipop loop hike through an old settlement area. It’s the perfect short hike for the beginning hikers and a great way to let your little ones stretch their lengths after riding in the car. If your children are eager to get moving, but you need a slower pace, the Sugarland Valley Nature Trail has plenty of benches along the path. We encouraged our children to run ahead and wait for us at the next bench making this one perfect short hike for us all.

Cove Hardwood Nature Trail

Another beautiful nature trail to explore in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the Cove Hardwood Nature Trail. Continue along Newfound Gap Road (US 441) about 4.5 miles from the visitor center. This easy 3/4 mile loop hike explores a South Appalachian hardwood forest. The wildflower and tree varieties will have your children stopping to admire the flowers often. Be sure to follow along with the interpretive self-guided tour to tell the story of the tall trees, early farmers, and identify many of the plants in the forest at each numbered stop along the trail.

Chimney Tops Trail

The Chimney Tops Trail is on Newfound Gap Road, just 6.7 miles from Sugarlands Visitor Center, close to the Cove Hardwood Nature Trail. This is a very popular trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is one of the best places to view Mount LeConte and often you can check a view of other peaks within the park.

Chimney Tops Trail is a 3.5 mile moderate out and back hike with a 1,400 foot elevation gain that is fairly steep. While the steep elevation gain can be a lot for very little kids, most of the trail had easy to climb rock steps or well-worn gravel path with a short rock scramble at the end. Our children loved climbing all the steps and found the rock scramble extra fun at the end. Plus, on the way back down, you will be going downhill as a you retrace your steps back down the mountain.

This hike is best suited for school-age children, but can be the perfect place for a toddler or preschooler who loves to climb. Remember, you can always turn back at any time, so if you just want to get out and climb for a bit, that’s okay.

Rainbow Falls Trail

The hike to Rainbow Falls was a beautiful waterfall hike that is perfect for kids and families. This hike is located near the Sugarlands Visitor Center along the Historic Nature Trail (Cherokee Orchard Road) in the Roaring Fork area. The trail head for the Rainbow Falls Trail is located by parking lot A. Since this is a small lot, it often fills quickly so there is a parking lot B not too far down the road. Many people also park along the street. Plan to arrive early to find good parking.

This is a moderate 5.4 mile hike with an elevation gain of 1500 feet to an 80 foot tall waterfall. This is an out and back hike so you will hike the same path when you return. This trail does continue on for 4 miles after the falls to the summit of Mount Le Conte, but if you only want to hike 5.4 miles, you should turn back after the falls.

In the beginning of the hike, you will go through a large boulder field which our kids loved. During your hike, you will cross two footbridges which were a little narrow to walk side by side. The first bridge is around mile 1.7 and the second is near mile 2.7, with the waterfall just beyond. Our children loved playing at the base of the waterfall and enjoyed the two bridge crossings.

The base of the waterfall was a lovely shaded area, making the temperatures perfect. It was a wonderful place to stop for lunch or a snack before starting the trek back to the car.

Grotto Falls Trail

Continue along the Roaring Fork Nature Trail to the Grotto Falls Parking area. This parking lot was much less crowded than Rainbow Falls. This hike begins from the Trillium Gap Trailhead through a beautiful, old-growth forest.

The Grotto Falls Trail to the 25 foot Grotto Falls is a 2.6 mile moderate well worn out and back trail. Some parts of the trail are very rocky, which made for fun rock scrambles for the kids. Our 3 year old loved climbing among the rocks. You will cross 4 small streams by hopping the rocks, which our kids loved. It was fairly easy to cross the streams without getting wet. Around mile 1.3, you will reach the falls.

This is a perfect shady haven to stop for a snack and search for some salamanders. The temperature is cool and we spotted so many salamanders while taking a short break. The best part of Grotto Falls was being able to walk behind the falls. Our kids couldn’t get over the noise and loved the feeling of the mist. It was definitely a unique view of a waterfall.

Baskins Creek Trail

Continue along Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Baskins Creek Trail is much less traveled than Rainbow Falls and Grotto Falls. This 3 mile easy hike does have a few steep climbing areas. The beginning of the trail is a nice easy climb for only about 1/4 mile before leveling off. Just before the 1 mile mark, you will cross Falls Branch, which was quite fun for the kids to hop across the rocks. Then you will begin a rapid descent, which was a good climb on the way back. There is another steep descent right before the falls as well.

There are two different spurs along this trail. At the first spur (1.1 miles), continue to the right to go to the falls. Going left leads to the Baskins Cemetery. At the second spur (1.3 miles), head left to continue to the falls. Going straight leads to Baskins Creek. Just before arriving at the 40 foot, two-tiered waterfall, you will go down a 50 yard steep and rocky descent, which our kids loved scrambling down and up.

Gatlinburg Trail

The Gatlinburg Tail is a 3.8 mile easy out and back hike along the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River beginning at the Sugarlands Visitor Center. While not our favorite hike, it was definitely an easy hike for little kids and one of the few pet friendly hikes in the park that allows bicycles. Our children loved pausing to explore the river and dip their toes in along the hike.

This hike boosts one of the longest footbridges in the park around 1/2 mile and the remnants of an old homestead, which was neat for the kids to see. You will walk along the road for a bit before continuing on the trail back to the visitors center. Just before arriving at the visitor center, there will be a side trail to Cataract Falls which adds about another mile to the hike.

Less Traveled Kid-Friendly Hiking Trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the East Side

While most visitors concentrate their days hiking near Sugarlands and Cades Cove, there are a few family friendly hikes in the North East end of the park. These hikes are down unpaved roads, which can make travel a little tricky. We had no difficulties in our Suburban and found this side of the park much less crowded. These were great during the busy time or even later in the evening.

Porters Creek Trail (Fern Branch Falls)

If you are looking for a beautiful waterfall hike away from the crowds, Porters Creek Trail is the perfect hike for you. To arrive at Porters Creek Trail, you will travel Route 321 eastbound to Greenbrier Unpaved Road (yes, it starts off paved for the first bit). At the turn onto Greenbrier, there is a Great Smoky Mountains National Park sign on the right. The trailhead is about 4 miles down Greenbrier Road.

Porters Creek Trail is a 4 mile moderate out and back trail to the 60 foot Fern Branch Falls. You can choose to turn back here or continue along the trail extending to your hike. During the first mile of this hike, you will follow along Porters Creek on a gravel path. As you near the end of the first mile, you will come across an old homestead on your right. After crossing the first footbridge, keep to your left to continue to the falls. Heading right will take you to explore the John Messer farmstead.

When you come to the Brushy Mountain Trail Junction, keep left again to head to Branch Falls. The path will change from gravel to a more narrow dirt hiking path near this junction as well. Don’t worry, the path is plenty wide enough to walk two or three across still. After crossing the second foot bridge, you will be a short distance from Branch Falls, about 0.4 mile. The stunning waterfall will be off to your left.

Hen Wallow Falls (Gabes Mountain Trail)

The Hen Wallow Falls is another less hiked waterfall trail a bit off the beaten path. To arrive at the Gabes Mountain Trail to get to Hen Wallow Falls, you will need to travel about 20 miles down Highway 321 to Highway 32. Turn right towards the Crosby Campground and then another right into the park to the Gabes Mountain Trailhead. the trailhead is across the street from the Crosby Picnic area.

To reach the 90 foot Hen Wallow Falls, you will follow the Gabes Mountain Trail on a 4.4 mile moderate out and back hike. The hiking path is full of loose rocks and roots, so be sure to watch your step. We have found that our kids love these types of trail because there are so many obstacles to step over and around as they hike. You will cross a few different side trails as you hike along. To continue to the falls, keep going straight along the trail. Around the 2.1 mile mark, you see a sign post for a side trail which will descend a steep trail to the bottom of the 90 foot waterfall.

The foot of the waterfall was the perfect destination for lunch or a snack. There was plenty of dry rocks to find a spot to rest. As you enjoy your break, your kids can take a look around for some salamanders, which are plentiful near the base of the falls, or explore the 20 foot pool at the bottom of the falls.

Mouse Creek Falls (Big Creek Trail)

Mouse Creek Falls are 45 foot waterfall well off the beaten path. Take Interstate 40 to Waterville Road and continue to the large parking lot at the road’s end, about 3 miles. The Big Creek Trailhead will be located to the right of the parking lot.

The round trip distance to reach Mouse Creek Falls is just over 4 miles of moderate hiking. This path is very smooth and even as it gradually rises, making it the perfect trek for small children. Along the way, you will pass many smaller waterfalls as you wind along Big Creek. Around mile 1.4, you will pass Midnight Hole, a deep emerald pool at the bottom of a 6 foot waterfall. The waterfall flows between two boulders, helping you differentiate this spot from other waterfalls along the path as it is not yet marked by a sign. Midnight Hole is a popular place to pause for a swim. Be sure that your children can swim, as this pool gets rather deep.

Look for a short side trail on the left around mile 2.1 to head to the viewing area for Mouse Creek Falls. There is a bench at the viewing area so you can take a little rest before your journey back. The Mouse Creek Falls will be on the opposite side of Big Creek but is best viewed from the overlook instead of attempting to cross the fast flowing creek.

The Best Hikes to Experience with Kids Between Sugarlands Visitor Center and Cades Cove Visitor Center.

As you plan your Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hiking Trips, be sure to head over to the Cades Cove Visitor Center. It’s a bit of a drive to the West side of the park, but well worth it with lots of hikes along the way to pause to stretch your legs. In fact, Cataract Falls and Laurel Falls are along the way as well.

Elkmont Nature Trail

This is the perfect short hike for young children to get out and explore. Follow Fighting Creek Gap Road to Elkmont Road. Turn left onto Elkmont Road and follow past the campground to Little River Road. The parking lot for the Elkmont Nature Trail is about 1/2 mile further down.

The Elkmont Nature Trail is a 0.8 mile easy loop hike with lots to see along the way. There is a guided brochure which corresponds to 13 markers along the path. Be sure to pick up a copy at the Visitor Center or possibly snag on at the trailhead. The path is well-worn and flat, so makes for an easy hike. Near the beginning of the hike, you will cross a narrow footbridge with a handrail on one side to cross a creek. This was a favorite part of the hike for our children.

Little River Trail (to Husky Branch Falls)

To arrive at the Little River Trailhead, continue past the Elkmont Nature Trail on Little River Road over the Elkmont Bridge at Little River. There is a parking lot right next to the trailhead.

The Little River Trail follows an old logging road that runs next to Little River. This 4.4 mile easy out and back hike heads to the 20 foot Husky Branch Falls. The Little River Trail continues past the falls to Cucumber Gap Trail, Huskey Gap Trail, and Goshen Prong Trail all the way to Little River Upper Falls extending your round trip approximately 13 miles.

Little River Trail once was a railroad bed that has been converted to a hiking trail. This is a well-worn, flat, wide trail that makes for easy hiking. At the beginning of the trail, you will see some resort buildings from the early 1900s. While your children can explore around the buildings, they are not meant for visitors to enter. Around mile 2.2, you’ll cross over Husky Branch Falls, which flows down the hill right next to the trail before going under a small footbridge.

Metcalf Bottoms Trail

Before beginning the Metcalf Bottoms Trail, be sure to check in at one of the visitor centers to see if there will be any ranger led programs in the area. On occasion, there are history lessons and talks offered at the Greenbrier School, which is the turn around point for this trail.

To arrive at the Metcalf Bottoms Trailhead, take Fighting Creek Gap Road until it turns into Little River Gorge Road just after Elkmont Road. The turn off for the Metcalf Bottoms Trailhead is just before mile 5 in the same area as the Metcalf Bottom Picnic Area.

Metcalf Bottoms Trail to Greenbrier School is a 1.2 mile easy out and back hike on a well-worn flat path. This trail is a combination of uphill and downhill treks with very little overall elevation gain. Just note that you will walk uphill for part of the trek back to the car. As you travel to Greenbrier School, you will pass an old homestead, 3 log footbridges over a stream, a historic cemetery, and a 1930’s schoolhouse/church, which is generally open for touring.

To extend your hike, you can continue on Little Brier Gap Trail for 1.5 miles to the Walker Sisters Cabin, the last private residence within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Spruce Flats Falls

This hike is located between Elkmont and Cades Cove while traveling on Little River Gorge Road. Turn onto Laurel Creek Road at the Y follow Tremont Road to your left. While driving, keep an eye on your right as you will pass Loan Branch Cascade near the road. Then park near the Tremont Institute Building, which has five different parking areas. The Spruce Flats Falls Trails begins along the Lumber Ridge Trail.

The Spruce Flats Falls Trail is a hidden gem of a 1.8 mile easy to moderate out and back hike, which doesn’t appear on many maps but is well loved. While the trail is not well marked, it is fairly easy to follow with just three forks to keep an eye out for at the beginning of the trail. You will begin along a gravel service road and when you come to the dorms, go left up the small dirt and log steps. The path will narrow as it climbs behind the dorms, but is still wide enough for comfortable walking. At the first fork in the path, head to the right. At the second fork in the trail, be sure to stay left to head to the falls. These are the only forks in the path that you should encounter on the remainder of the hike.

Continue along the windy trail, which has a steep drop on one side for quite a bit of the trail, so take caution when hiking with very little kids. The hiking trail is mostly well worn dirt but it does have a few small rock scrambles throughout out. You’ll know that you are nearing the waterfall when you cross a log bridge. Continue down the path to the base of the falls. Your children will love exploring the waterfall from climbing on the large rocks to hoping stones in the base of the falls. Take caution because it can be a little slippery.

Lynn Camp Prong Cascades (Middle Prong Trail)

To reach Lynn Camp Prong Cascades, continue down Tremont Road from the parking area for Spruce Flats Falls to the end. Tremont Road does become a gravel road once you pass the institute. This trail is located in the Tremont area between Elkmont and Cades Cove along Little River Gorge Road. From Little River Gorge Road, turn onto Laurel Road and then left onto Tremont Road at the Y. Park in the Upper Tremont Road Parking lot.

You will follow the Middle Prong Trail to Lynn Camp Prong Cascades. This is an easy 1.3 mile out and back hike along an old logging railroad, so the path is wide and well-worn. The trail begins with a long, high footbridge as you cross the Lynn Camp Prong, which will remain on your left as you head towards the Cascades. There are two trails here: Lynn Camp Prong Cascades is along the trail to the left (Middle Prong Trail), while the Thunderhead Prong Quiet Walkway is to the right.

The Middle Prong Trail offers viewing of several smaller waterfalls along the hike as well as benches for places to rest or catch up with your kids. You’ll reach the Lynn Camp Prong Cascades a little less than 3/4 of a mile along. You will want to turn back after exploring the cascades unless you wish to continue on for a longer hike. This trail does continue on to Indian Flats Falls, which is an 8.3 mile round trip out and back hike.

When you reach lower Lynn Camp Prong Cascades, there is a steep side trail to the left that leads down to the falls. Be careful if you choose to explore down to the falls as it is often very slippery when wet. You can continue along the main trail to upper Lynn Camp Prong Cascades. You will see another side trail to your left for a great view of the cascades.

Awe-inspiring Family Hiking Trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cades Cove Visitor Center

Cades Cove Visitor Center is about halfway through the Cades Cove Loop Road. You can also enter the Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Townsend, TN on TN-73 if you want a more direct route to the Cades Cove Visitor Center.

Abrams Falls

Abrams Falls is one of the most visited hiking trails near Cades Cove Visitor Center. The Abrams Falls Trail is located on Cades Cove Loop Road after crossing the bridge over Abrams Creek just before mile marker 5. Abrams Falls Road is an unpaved road. Cades Cove Loop Road is a wonderful place for animal viewing as well, so be sure to head out early or stay out around dusk to sneak a peek of some of the animals in the park.

Abrams Falls Trail is a 5 mile moderate out and back trail. The trail begins by crossing a footbridge and then heading left at the fork to go towards the falls. For the majority of the hike, you will walk along side Abrams Creek. Around mile 2.5, you will come to a well marked side trail on the left towards Abrams Falls. You will cross a footbridge right before you reach the base of the 20 foot Abram Falls. The amount of water rushing from the falls is well worth the 5 mile hike.

At the base of the falls is a beautiful pool. Due to the volume of water from Abrams Falls, the National Park Services cautions against climbing on the slippery rocks and entering the pool of water at the base. The pool has a strong current and dangerous undertow.

Wet Bottom

The Wet Bottom Trailhead is located on Cades Cove Loop Road between mile marker 4 and 5. It is shortly after the Early Days Parking area and the Cooper Trail Parking area, but before the Abrams Falls Parking area. You can also park at the Cooper Trail Parking area or the Abrams Falls Parking area to access the Wet Bottom Trail. Remember, these are all out and back hikes so you will hike each section twice no matter where you park. Would you like to hike two shorter hikes or one continuous hike? Either way the Wet Bottoms Trail is about a 2 mile easy out and back hike.

If you begin at the Wet Bottom Trailhead, the trail is actually three different trails: one which follows a small creek to the right while another continues straight towards two historic buildings – the John Oliver Barn and the Elijah Oliver Barn and Cabin, and finally a branch off to the left between the John Oliver Barn and the Elijah Oliver Barn which goes to the Abrams Falls Parking area. If you would like to merge two of the trails, you can begin at the Cooper Trail Parking area. Once on the Cooper Road Trail, you will turn left onto Wet Bottom Trail along Abrams Creek and then right towards the historic buildings. Then you can choose to continue on to the Abrams Falls Parking area or return to your car.

Hiking north from the Wet Bottom Trailhead or south from Cooper Trail Parking, you will walk area along a small creek through a sparsely forested area with farmland on the other side of the creek. If you are hiking north, you will want to turn around and hike back to the fork in the trail. If you are hiking south, turn to the right at the fork to head to the John Oliver Barn and Elijah Oliver Barn and Cabin.

The trail to the Elijah Oliver Barn and Cabin is a wide, light gravel hiking path. You will cross the small creek on a short log footbridge, which is always a highlight for our kids. You will pass the large 1900s barn built by John Oliver before coming to another fork in the trail. Continue straight to head to the Elijah Oliver Barn and Cabin. This trail is a faint narrower path into the woods. If you turn right, you will walk to the Abrams Falls Trailhead.

When walking towards the Abrams Falls Trailhead, you will walk through an old farm field once tended to by Elijah Oliver before walking along Abrams Creek. This path can be a little squishy and muddy while walking along Abrams Creek. You will need to cross Abrams Creek to reach the end of Wet Bottom Trail.

You will have two options for crossing the creek. You can cross on along the Wet Bottoms Trail by walking through the creek or take the rough path to the right to the Elijah Oliver side trail. You will turn left towards the Abrams Falls Trail and another left over the wooden bridge to cross Abrams Creek to the end of Wet Bottoms Trail.

Look Rock Tower

While Look Rock Tower is still within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you will drive outside the park to reach the Foothills Parkway. Take Highway 321 to the Foothills Parkway. You can enter the Foothills Parkway just past Townsend and turn left towards Look Rock Tower or enter farther north on Highway 321 to drive the entire Foothills Parkway. Look Rock Tower is between mile marker 8 and 7 on Foothills Parkway after crossing the Look Rock Picnic Area Bridge when driving south or Happy Valley Road Bridge when driving north.

The parking area for Look Rock Tower has a scenic overlook at the end of the parking area for an amazing view over the Smokies. You will then cross the Foothills Parkway to arrive at the Look Rock Tower Trailhead. This is a 1 mile easy to moderate out and back trail to an observation tower that provides beautiful views of the Great Smoky Mountains. The entire trail is a flat paved path with a 170 foot rise in elevation, it is stroller and handicap accessible.

The 360 degree views from the top of Look Rock Tower are very impressive and well worth the 1 mile hike. The winds can be a bit strong at the top and the railing is low, so do plan to keep your children close. This can be a wonderful place to enjoy a snack and a little quiet solitude since it is much less traveled.

Family Hiking Trails to Explore on the North Carolina side of the  Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Oconaluftee Visitor Center

The Oconaluftee Visitor Center is located in the far south of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park along Newfound Gap Road South in North Carolina. This is a very historic area to explore to bring the past to life for your kids. Many of the structures are preserved and able to be explored, while others were left to nature for some time. Many of the trails, bridges, and parking areas were originally built during the Great Depression.

Mingo Falls

Mingo Falls is located just outside of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the Qualla Boundary. While this is part of the Cherokee Indians land trust, there is no special permit required to visit the campgrounds, Mingo Falls, or the surrounding areas. If you are starting from the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, drive South on US 441. You’ll take the second left onto Big Cove Road towards the Mingo Falls Campground, about 5 miles. The trail to Mingo Falls begins in the campground.

The hike to Mingo Falls is a 0.4 mile moderate out and back trail to the falls. This is rated as a moderate hike because you will climb 161 steps to a viewing bridge at the base of the falls. Mingo Falls is considered one of the tallest waterfalls in the southern Appalachains at 120ft tall. You won’t be disappointed with the views if you can find the time for this short waterfall hike.

Mingo Falls is also referred to as Big Bear Falls, the name given by the Cherokee tribe.

Deep Creek Trail

The Deep Creek Trail is a little tricky to get to, but well worth the trip to view 3 beautiful waterfalls in a loop trail. You’ll want to head over to Bryson City, NC and follow Deep Creek Road to the parking lot (You can take either East Deep Creek Road or West Deep Creek Road, but West is more straight). To arrive in Bryson City, you can take US 441 to Rt 19. Then you’ll wind you way through Bryson using Everett St to cross the Tuckasegee River. From here, you can take a right on Depot, at the dead end take a left on Ramseur St, then left onto Deep Creek Road.

Deep Creek Trail area has multiple trails that you can combine to create your own hike. I will focus on the Three Waterfalls Loop Trail as this seems to be the shortest loop trail to visit all three waterfalls. This trail combines part of the Juney Whank Loop Trail, Deep Creek Horse Trail, and Deep Creek Trail.

The Deep Creek Three Waterfalls Loop Trail is a 2.4 mile easy loop trail which will bring you to see three waterfalls: Juney Whank Falls, Tom Branch Falls, and Indian Creek Falls. You can go in either direction to see the falls, but we suggest starting out along Deep Creek Trail towards Tom Branch Falls. The 80 foot Tom Branch Falls is located about 0.3 miles from the trailhead and is a nice place to rest on the viewing benches.

From here you will hike towards the Indian Creek Trail junction, about 0.5 miles further just after crossing a foot bridge. You will want to turn right onto Indian Creek Trail to the short spur that leads down to the 45 foot Indian Creek Falls. The short spur is 0.1 miles from the junction, so not a far side trek. Take the stairs to the bottom of the falls. After viewing the falls, to keep to a short hike, take the spur back to Deep Creek Trail.

From here you have a few choices to make this hike your own. You can return back down Deep Creek Trail as more of an out and back trail. To continue on the Three Waterfall loop, you’ll turn left to continue on Deep Creek Trail across two foot bridges and then take a left onto Deep Creek Horse Trail to head down to Juney Whank Falls. If you prefer a longer hike, instead, you can continue along Indian Creek Trail to the loop trail back to Deep Creek Trail adding approximately 3 miles to your hike.

Just past the Indian Creek Trail junction on Deep Creek Trail is a popular tubing spot. You may see many people carrying tubes for a fun day on the water. Along the way, you will find many child friendly access spots so your children can enjoy the waters of Deep Creek.

If you choose to hike along the Deep Creek Horse Trail as part of. the Three Waterfalls Loop Trail, you’ll come to the Juney Whank junction. You’ll want to take the trail slightly to your right that leads down to Juney Whank Falls. At the base of the falls, you’ll walk across a bridge right in front. of the falls as well as a few benches for comfortable resting. Continue down past the falls to head back to the parking lot.

Oconaluftee River Trail

The Oconaluftee River Trail begins at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and travles along the Oconaluftee River towards the city of Cherokee, NC. This 3 mile easy out and back trail is mostly flat with a few small hills. This trail is a pet friendly trail.

When you begin at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, the Oconaluftee River Trail will wind around the Mountain Farm Museum from the late 1800s and early 1900s. You will walk past a furnished two story log house, split rail fence, barns, pig pen, a working blacksmith shop, and other log buildings. For more information on the buildings and farming practices, be sure to grab the self-guided tour booklet from the Oconaluftee Visitor Center before you begin.

This area is a great area to explore if your children are looking to earn their Junior Ranger Badges, want to take a break to visit the real life pigs, or just explore the buildings from the early 1900s. If you time your trip just right, you can often pause to feed the animals.

As you continue past the Mountain Farm Museum, the trail is partly paved and partly hardpacked dirt, making for a fairly easy hike along the Oconaluftee River. This is a great place to take a break for some fishing, exploring the river, and animals watching. Feel free to continue along the Oconaluftee River Trail to the end (about 1.5 miles) or turn back at any point when your kids are ready.

Kephart Prong Trail

The Kephart Prong Trailhead is located about 7 miles north of the Oconaluftee Visitor Center on Newfound Gap Road South. There are two parking lots near the trailhead.

Kephart Prong Trail is a 4.2 mile moderate out and back trail along the Kephart Prong to the Kephart Shelter. You’ll begin your hike by crossing a footbridge over the Oconaluftee River. Then you’ll wind through a Civil Conservation Corps camp from the 1930s and 1940s and a fish hatchery. These are great lessons in history and nature for your kids. Along this trail you will cross several log footbridges, which are always a highlight of the trip for our kids.

The Kephart Shelter lies around mile 2.1 and is a great resting point or possible overnight stay in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Most hikers turn around and head back towards the parking lot here. However, the Kephart Shelter is the branch point for two different trails: The Sweat Heifer Creek Trail (3.7 miles on way with views of 3 waterfalls) to your left and the Grassy Branch Trail (4.1 miles out and back) to the right allowing for a longer hike and more exploring.

Family Hikes in the center of Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Clingman’s Dome Visitor Center

You will want to make a stop at Clingman’s Dome Visitor Center for some amazing views of the Great Smoky Mountains. This vistor center is the most central in the national park, located on the Clingman’s Dome Access Road off of Newfoundland Gap Road.

Clingman’s Dome

The trailhead for the Clingman’s Dome observation tower is located at the Clingman’s Dome Visitor Center. This is a 1 mile moderate out and back trail due to the steep 330 foot climb to the observation tower at the summit. This path. is paved but do to the steep climb is not suggested for wheelchairs and strollers. Clingman’s Dome is the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park at 6,643 feet.

The climb from the visitor center to the Clingman’s Dome observation tower is well worth the 360 degree awe-inspiring views of the Great Smoky Mountains. You will not see anything like it anywhere else in the park. Before beginning the trek be sure to check the weather conditions and access to Clingman’s Dome Access Road. The Clingman’s Dome Access Road is closed seasonally from early December to late March in addition to road closures when the road is unsafe for travel.

The hike to the summit and back to the parking lot is a very popular hike within the park. Along the way, you will find plentiful benches for a rest break. Once you reach the summit and climb the observation tower, the weather is often 10-20 degrees cooler and quite windy, so do plan ahead. On clear days, you can see for 100 miles, but weather can limit the viewing to just 20 miles. Even with a limit view, the climb to the top was well worth it for our kids. The loved the steep incline on the way up and decline on the way down as well. asthe stairs to the top of the observation summit.

Andrews Bald

The hike to Andrews Bald begins from the Clingman’s Dome Visitor Center as well. From the visitor center, you’ll hike in the opposite direction of Clingman’s Dome towaqrds the Forney Ridge Trail. This 3.6 mile moderate out and back hike has an elevation gain of about 900 feet ending at Andrews Bald. Andrews Bald is a grassy meadow where livestock grazed in the 1840s. Within the meadow, hikers can often find ripe blackberries and raspberries to enjoy.

You will begin the hike through a spruce-fir forest for about 1 tenth of a mile. Once you reach the fork in the trail, you will want to turn left onto Forney Ridge Trail to head to Andrews Bald. At the next fork at approximately 1 mile, continue straight towards Andrews Bald. After hiking another 0.7 miles, you will reach Andrews Bald, which isan open grassy meadow. The trail was renovated in the early 2000s to include natural rock and wooden staircases and boardwalks.

Andrews Bald is an amazing place to eat lunch in a meadow and enjoy the spectacular views of the southern Smoky Mountains and Fontana Lake. Andrews Bald is the highest bald, a high elevation grassy meadow, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This hike is extra fun for kids because you will begin the hike in Tennessee but cross into North Carolina before reaching Andrews Bald, such a fun way to hike in two states with just one trip.

Spruce Fir Nature Trail

The Spruce Fir Nature Trail is located between mile marker 2 and 3 on Clingman’s Dome Access Road. There is a parking lot at the trailhead of the Spruce Fir Nature Trail. This is a short 0.35 mile easy loop hike through a beautiful spruce-fir forest.

You will mostly follow along a wooden boardwalk as you enjoy the tall trees and wildlife. You may notice some dead trees along the way, this is a wonderful time to discuss invasive species and the damages they can cause. Many of the trees were injected with a toxin from an insect, balsam wooly adelgid, from Europe. You may also notice some large quartz rocks, which look like ice and snow, but are actually from the Precambrian Era 500 million years ago.

Camping in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with Kids

If you are making the trip to explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you will want to find a great place to camp. Trying to stay outside of the park can be a little tricky as Great Smoky Mountains National Park is huge. You will spend lots of time driving into the park, missing the best opportunities to go hiking early in the morning or later in the evening.

We found that stay in the park is well worth the limited luxuries. Not only will you be surrounded by nature and have extra wildlife viewing opportunities, you’ll be closer to the hiking trails and visitor centers to allow for an earlier start. It is important to note that when camping in the National Park, each campground has drinking (potable) water, flush toilet restrooms, and a picnic table and fire grate at each campsite. There are no showers or hookups available.

We have found that three of the 10 front country campgrounds at Great Smoky Mountains National Park often the most park ranger programs, run a seasonal store, and are located close to a visitor center, making them our favorite places to camp. These tend to be much busier with campers as there are more campsites and amenities available.

Within the park, there are also seven other front country and many back country options. The seven front country campgrounds are much smaller with around 30 campsites. They are located closer to the boundaries of the park, making for longer drives but more optimal animal encounter experiences. You will need a special permit for back country camping.

Cades Cove Campground

Cades Cove Campground is our first choice for campgrounds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park when camping with kids. The Campground is located near the Cades Cove Visitor Center right off Cades Cove Road. Cades Cove Road is an excellent location for animal viewing and camping here allows for easy early morning and evening drives around the loop to look for animals.

Cades Cove Campground features 164 reservable sites and a group campground. This campground features a camp store with food, ice and firewood. You will also have access to an RV dump station, amphitheater, carpenter’s shop, and plentiful picnic areas. You are about 11 miles from Townsend, Tennessee. There are a few campgrounds in Townsend that permit people who are not camping there to pay to use the showers.

The Cades Cove Campground is located along Abrams creek. This is perfect for a quick wash as well as wonderful fishing. The camp store is well worth camping here alone. Not only is there a selection of snack foods and cold beverages, but there are also some basic camping and first aid supplies. They also have a deli and ice cream counter, which is quite nice on hot days spent hiking. You’ll also want to take advantage of the horse trail rides, carriage rides, hayrides, and bike rentals available near the campground.

The one downside is that the Cades Cove Loop Road can get backed up with traffic, especially if an animal is on or near the road. However, the campground is located near the entrance to the Cades Cove Loop Road, allowing easy access to and from the campground.

Smokemont Campground

Smokemoont Campground is an excellent camp location for those looking to get off the beaten path. It is the closest campground to Oconaulftee Visitor Center in North Carolina. Smokemont Campground in Great Smoky National Park is located off Newfound Gap Road South on Smokemont Road, located 6 miles from Cherokee, North Carolina.

There are 142 reservable sites and a group campground as well as riding stables. This campground also has an RV dump station and firewood and ice can be purchased here seasonal. The Smokemont area is an excellent habitat for bears, so lock food boxes area provided. In addition, being close to the Oconaulftee Visitor Center offers many ranger led programs including feeding the pigs, which our kids absolutely loved.

Once you settle in to camp, you’ll love exploring the Smokemont area. Not only is the campground right along the Bradley Fork River, but there are also picnic areas and some hiking trails. The Bradley Fork River is great for a quick wash since there are no showers in the park. It is also wellknown for its fishing. Two hiking trails for kids in the Smokemont Campground area are Smokemont Nature Trail (0.6 mile easy loop) and the Smokemont Loop Trail (6.5 mile moderate loop).

Elkmont Campground

Elkmont Campground is the closest campground to Sugarlands Visitor Center in the North of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Elkmont is a very popular campground where campsites are grouped closely together. It is located about 5 miles from Sugarlands Visitor Center on Fighting Creek Gap Road.

We found the location both amazing and challenging. You are close to many amazing hikes and between Sugarlands and Cades Cove Visitor Center. However, each time you enter and exit Great Smoky Mountains National Park through Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, there is a lot of traffic. Gatlinburg is also lined with entertainment that your kids will beg to do and the main road into the park moves very slowly due to the large amount of pedestrians. The Pigeon Forge bypass will save you some time, but expect longer drive times even on the bypass.

There are 300 reservable sites and a small block of walk in sites at Elkmont Campground. You will find a limited camp store where firewood and ice can be purchased as well as a dump station. There are some food storage lockers as well. One amazing benefit is the Gatlinburg Community Center with many indoor activities, including a pool with hot showers, about 14 miles from Elkmont Campground but a 40 minute drive depending on traffic.

Is Great Smoky Mountains National Park worth the trip?

Despite the lack of amenities and spiders, visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park with kids is well worth. the trip. There are so many beautiful kid-friendly hikes of all different lengths, rivers and waterfalls to explore that you are sure to find something to capture everyone’s attention. The ranger led programs, the historic Mountain Farm Museum, and view into our nation’s history make the trip unforgettable for your family. There is a reason this is the most visited National Park in the United States.

Looking for more guides on visiting United States National Parks? Don’t miss our guides on Guadalupe Mountains National Park, White Sands National Park. Plus, we’ve put together a 5 Day Itinerary to get the most out of your trip to Big Bend National Park.

Have you visited Great Smoky Mountains National park in Tennessee and North Carolina? Are you planning a trip? Leave us a comment below to let us know. Have a favorite hike that we missed? We’d love to hear from you so we can update our best kid-friendly hike trips in Great Smoky Mountains National Park post to help others. Looking for more content from us, we’d love it if you would subscribe to our newsletter.

Hi, I’m Nicole.

Here at Creatingbutterflies we provide families with practical solutions to real life problems for everything parenting, scouting, dual language, and enjoying time outdoors. We are a family of 6 with 4 wonderful becoming bilingual children who loves scouting, camping, and hiking with their family. Mom is an educator and dad is a firefighter/paramedic.

Hi, I’m Nicole.

Here at Creatingbutterflies we provide families with practical solutions to real life problems for everything parenting, scouting, dual language, and enjoying time outdoors. We are a family of 6 with 4 wonderful becoming bilingual children who loves scouting, camping, and hiking with their family. Mom is an educator and dad is a firefighter/paramedic.