21 Smoky Mountain Experiences to Enjoy During Your Lifetime

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most visited national park in the United States — offers a wealth of experiences that cater to nature lovers, adventure seekers, and history enthusiasts alike.

From breathtaking scenic drives to challenging hikes, historic exploration, and unique wildlife viewing, the Smokies provide unforgettable experiences across its vast and varied landscapes.

Here are 21 experiences in the Smoky Mountains that you should not miss!

1. Watch the Sunrise at Kuwohi (formerly known as Clingmans Dome)

Standing as the highest point in the park, Kuwohi (formerly known as Clingmans Dome) offers panoramic views of the Smokies, especially stunning at sunrise.

Watching the sunrise at Kuwohi (formerly known as Clingmans Dome) is an awe-inspiring experience that encapsulates the majestic beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Kuwohi (formerly known as Clingmans Dome), standing at an elevation of 6,643 feet, is not only the highest point in the park but also the highest point in Tennessee and the third-highest mountain east of the Mississippi.

This unique vantage point offers 360-degree panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, making it an ideal spot for witnessing the sunrise.

2. Explore Cades Cove

Drive, bike, or walk through this verdant valley, famous for its wildlife viewing opportunities, historic buildings, and stunning mountain backdrops.

Cades Cove is a broad, verdant valley surrounded by mountains and is one of the most popular destinations in the Smokies. This picturesque valley offers visitors a glimpse into the past, featuring well-preserved historic buildings, such as log houses, barns, churches, and a working grist mill.

An 11-mile, one-way loop road allows visitors to explore the area by car, bicycle, or on foot, providing ample opportunities for wildlife viewing — white-tailed deer, black bears, and wild turkeys. Also, the Cades Cove loop road offers access to several hiking trails and stunning views of the mountain landscape.

The combination of rich history, abundant wildlife, and breathtaking scenery makes Cades Cove a must-visit spot in the Smokies.

3. Hike to Alum Cave Bluffs

This moderate hike offers diverse natural features, including arches, heath balds, and the impressive Alum Cave Bluffs.

The hike to Alum Cave Bluffs is one of the most popular and rewarding trails in the Smoky Mountains, offering a diverse array of natural features and stunning views along the way.

This trail provides a moderate to strenuous hike, depending on your fitness level, and covers a round-trip distance of about 4.4 miles to the bluffs. The trailhead is located on Newfound Gap Road, about 8.6 miles from the Sugarlands Visitor Center or 20 miles from Cherokee North Carolina.

4. Discover the Synchronous Fireflies

Experience the magical light show of the synchronous fireflies in Elkmont, a natural phenomenon that occurs in late spring.

Discovering the synchronous fireflies in the Smokies is a magical and unique natural phenomenon that attracts visitors from around the world. This event, featuring Photinus carolinus — a species of firefly — occurs for a few weeks every year, typically from late May to early June.

What makes these fireflies special is their ability to synchronize their flashing light patterns, creating a mesmerizing display of twinkling lights in the night.

5. Take a Dip in Midnight Hole

A hidden gem on the Big Creek Trail, Midnight Hole is a picturesque swimming spot with crystal-clear, icy-cold water.

Midnight Hole is a hidden gem in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, known for its enchanting beauty and serene atmosphere. This deep, emerald-green pool is found along Big Creek Trail, approximately 1.5 miles from the trailhead. The pool is fed by a small waterfall, creating a picturesque setting perfect for nature lovers and photographers alike.

6. Trek to Charlies Bunion

For breathtaking views of the rugged mountain landscape, hike the Appalachian Trail to Charlies Bunion.

Trekking to Charlies Bunion offers one of the most exhilarating hiking experiences in the Smokies. This 8-mile round-trip hike takes you along a portion of the Appalachian Trail, starting from Newfound Gap. The destination is a rugged, craggy rock outcropping that provides breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

7. Visit the Historic Buildings of Elkmont

Explore the early 20th-century vacation cottages and learn about the region’s history before it became a national park.

Visiting the historic buildings of Elkmont transports you back to the early 20th century, offering a glimpse into the past lives of the Appalachian communities and early vacationers of the Smoky Mountains.

Elkmont’s history is rich, initially serving as a logging community in the early 1900s before transitioning into a vacation retreat for the wealthy of Knoxville Tennessee.

8. Drive the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

This scenic loop offers easy access to historic sites, waterfalls, and stunning forest scenery.

The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a scenic drive that offers visitors a unique blend of natural beauty and historical significance within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

This one-way loop road stretches for approximately 5.5 miles, winding through a lush forest and past rushing mountain streams, historic buildings, and numerous trailheads. It’s located just minutes from downtown Gatlinburg Tennessee, making it an easily accessible adventure for those staying nearby.

9. Hike to Rainbow Falls

Witness the highest single-drop waterfall in the Smokies, especially beautiful when a rainbow forms in its mist.

Hiking to Rainbow Falls is a popular and rewarding experience in the Smokies. The trail to Rainbow Falls is about 5.4 miles round-trip and offers a moderate to strenuous hike depending on your fitness level. The waterfall itself is the highest single-drop in the Smokies, cascading 80 feet down a rocky cliff.

10. Go Horseback Riding

Experience the park’s natural beauty on horseback at several stables offering guided rides.

Going horseback riding in the Smoky Mountains offers a unique and leisurely way to explore the park’s stunning landscapes, providing a different perspective than hiking or driving. The park features several stables that offer guided horseback riding tours, allowing visitors of all experience levels to enjoy the beauty of the Smokies from the back of a horse.

11. Picnic at Greenbrier

Enjoy a peaceful picnic by the river in this less crowded area, surrounded by stunning natural beauty.

Picnicking at Greenbrier in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a delightful way to enjoy the park’s natural beauty in a more secluded and peaceful setting. Greenbrier is located just a short drive from Gatlinburg Tennessee and is known for its lush forests, abundant wildflowers — especially in spring — and the pristine, boulder-strewn Pigeon River that flows through the area.

12. Walk the Quiet Walkways

Discover these short, often overlooked trails that offer peaceful escapes into the forest.

The Quiet Walkways of the Smokies offer a unique opportunity to experience the park’s natural beauty in an intimate and reflective manner. Scattered throughout the park, these short trails are designed to provide a peaceful escape into the wilderness, away from the crowded popular sites.

Each Quiet Walkway leads to a special feature of the park — such as a stream, a waterfall, or a stunning view — and offers a chance to connect with nature on a personal level.

13. See the Views From Newfound Gap

Straddling the border between Tennessee and North Carolina, Newfound Gap offers spectacular views and is the starting point for several hikes.

Seeing the views from Newfound Gap is a must-do experience in the Smoky Mountains. Sitting at an elevation of 5,046 feet, it marks the lowest drivable pass through the Smokies and serves as a major hub for visitors. It’s located along the border between Tennessee and North Carolina, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

14. Visit the Mountain Farm Museum

Learn about the pioneer life in the Smokies at this outdoor museum near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center.

The Mountain Farm Museum is a unique outdoor museum located near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, near Cherokee North Carolina. This museum offers a glimpse into the past, showcasing the lifestyle and practices of the people who lived in the Southern Appalachians in the 19th century.

15. Hike to Andrews Bald

A relatively easy hike leads to Andrews Bald, where you’ll find stunning views and wildflower displays in early summer.

Hiking to Andrews Bald is a rewarding experience that offers stunning panoramic views and a chance to explore one of the park’s beautiful grassy balds. Located near Kuwohi (formerly known as Clingmans Dome) — the highest peak in the Smokies — Andrews Bald is accessible via the Forney Ridge Trail, which starts at the Kuwohi (formerly known as Clingmans Dome) parking lot.

16. Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway

Connecting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with Shenandoah National Park, this scenic drive offers breathtaking vistas and access to numerous hiking trails.

Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway is an iconic American experience, offering breathtaking views of the Appalachian Highlands. Stretching for 469 miles, it connects the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.

Known as “America’s Favorite Drive,” the parkway provides a scenic route that showcases the beauty of the American South’s mountainous terrain with numerous overlooks, picnic areas, hiking trails, and points of interest along the way.

17. Explore Cataloochee Valley

See elk grazing in the fields, visit historic buildings, and enjoy the serene beauty of this less-visited area.

Exploring Cataloochee Valley in the Smokies is like stepping back in time. This remote valley, nestled within the park’s vast expanse, was once home to a thriving community of settlers before the establishment of the national park. Today, it offers a chance to experience the park’s natural beauty, wildlife, and history in a less crowded setting.

18. Fish in the Mountain Streams

With hundreds of miles of streams, the park is a haven for trout fishing, offering both native brook trout and stocked varieties.

Fishing in the mountain streams of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a cherished activity for many visitors, offering a peaceful way to connect with the park’s natural beauty. The park is renowned for its pristine and diverse aquatic habitats — home to a wide variety of fish species — including native brook trout and rainbow and brown trout.

19. Camp Under the Stars

Choose from front-country, backcountry, or group campgrounds to experience the park overnight.

Camping under the stars in the Smoky Mountains offers an immersive experience in one of America’s most beloved natural landscapes. The park features a variety of camping options — from front-country campgrounds with amenities to backcountry sites for those seeking a rugged and secluded adventure.

20. Participate in a Ranger-Led Program

Learn about the park’s wildlife, history, and ecology from the experts through a variety of educational programs.

Participating in a ranger-led program in the Smokies is an enriching way to learn about the park’s diverse ecosystems, wildlife, and history. These programs are designed to educate visitors of all ages about the natural and cultural resources of the Smokies, offering insights and experiences that go beyond what one might discover on their own.

21. Witness the Fall Foliage

Visit in the fall to see the Smoky Mountains adorned in vibrant hues of red, orange, and yellow, a truly spectacular sight.

Witnessing the fall foliage in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a breathtaking experience that draws visitors from all over the world. The park is renowned for its spectacular autumn colors, as the vast expanses of forest transform into a vibrant tapestry of reds, oranges, yellows, and golds.

This natural phenomenon typically occurs from late September through early November, peaking in mid-October depending on the elevation and weather conditions.

The Best Smoky Mountain Experiences Await

Each of these experiences offers a unique way to connect with the natural beauty and rich history of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or education, the Smokies have something special for everyone.