A Local’s Guide To The Best Easy Hikes, Lodging, Restaurants, and Things To Do In The Smoky Mountains
Welcome to the Smokies! Living just 30 minutes from the “peaceful side” of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, we’ve been able to discover the best ways to experience the park’s natural beauty without fighting traffic and crowds of people.
Which is a challenge given that last year, the park (known locally as “The Smokies”) saw approximately 11.3 million visitors. That being said, you can strategically visit this beautiful park and avoid many of these crowds.
This itinerary covers the Tennessee side of the park rather than the North Carolina side, primarily focusing on the Townsend, TN entrance .
If you’re planning a family trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and want a low-stress, memory-filled experience, this guide is your one-stop plan for 6 amazing days in the Smokies — perfect for families with easy and interesting hikes, family-friendly restaurants, waterfalls, river floats, and more!
This detailed Smoky Mountains itinerary gives you:
- Day-by-day plans to our favorite places in the Smokies
- Easy and fun hikes for the entire family
- Great food stops
- Lodging recommendations
- Helpful tips and more!
Whether you follow it to the letter or just grab a few ideas, this guide was built for you. Let’s go!
Our Favorites At A Glance
- Favorite Lodging in Townsend, TN: Dancing Bear Lodge
- Favorite Lodging in Wears Valley, TN: This cozy cabin vacation rental. See our blog Where To Stay In Townsend for more recommendations.
- Favorite Restaurant: Peaceful Side Social
- Best Smokies Experience: Biking Cades Cove on car-free Wednesdays or camping at Elkmont Campground
- Favorite Hikes With Kids: Alum Cave for heartier hikers or Walker Sisters Cabin or Middle Prong Trail with young kids. See more recommendations.
- Closest airport: Knoxville (TYS), about 30–40 minutes to Townsend
National Park Fees
The Great Smoky Mountain National Park spans both Tennessee and North Carolina and is one of the most visited national parks in the country.
There is no entrance fee, but you’ll need a parking pass if you stop for more than 15 minutes in any parking area.
You can buy a parking tag for $5 a day/$15 week/or $40 for the year from any of the Visitor Centers, self-service kiosks at most of the large picnic areas and campgrounds, or buy it online ahead of time.
Where To Stay In The Smokies
Unlike many of its counterparts in the western United States, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park itself does not offer any lodging other than campgrounds and the hike-in only Leconte Lodge.
Lodging In The Park
If you can get a reservation at the hike-in Leconte Lodge and can handle a difficult hike, go for it! I have stayed here once, and it is a really fun and unique experience.
If you’re interested in camping, Elkmont Campground is our favorite in the park. See our Detailed Guide to Elkmont Campground as well as The Sleeping Pad That Will Make You Want To Tent Camp Again.
Lodging In Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg
Many visitors stay in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg, TN. These towns are super touristy (thus super crowded) and serve as a destination for outlet shopping, entertainment, and amusement parks.
Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are fun destinations, but in our opinion, the crowds and traffic detract from the experience of the Smokies.
If “touristy” is ok for you, we highly recommend Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa in Pigeon Forge.It is superb for its amenities and convenient shuttle to its private entrance to Dollywood.
Lodging In Townsend and Wears Valley (Recommended)
If you want to relax with fewer crowds and less traffic, stay in the “peaceful side” of the Smokies in the towns of Townsend or Wears Valley, TN. These locations are within a 5-15 minute drive to two entrances of the national park.
Townsend, TN is a small town that serves as an excellent base camp and gateway to the Smokies. It has a grocery store, restaurants (Peacefulside Social is a favorite!), and a 10 mile bike path that parallels the main road through town.
For hotels in Townsend, either The Best Western Cades Cove Inn or Highland Manor Inn are your best bets, while Dancing Bear Lodge provides upscale lodging and dining.
Or, stay in your own woodsy cabin like the Red Door Cabin- VRBO 1320345 in Townsend or a cabin with views in Wears Valley like the cabin shown below.
Romantic Luxurious Cabin Amazing Mountains View/Hot Tub/Pool Table—1 bedroom Wears Valley cabin with extra murphy bed and mountain views. Sleeps 4.
For more details about lodgings in Townsend, read our blog Where To Stay In Townsend. Recommended hotels, campgrounds, and cabin rentals.
Our Detailed Great Smoky Mountains National Park Itinerary
You’ll find no shortage of things to see and do in the Smokies. This 6 day itinerary highlights our favorites.
P.S. Each of the hikes in this itinerary was selected with kids in mind meaning that the hikes are relatively easy, short, and most have no significant elevation gain.
For additional easy trail recommendations and more specific details of those listed below, see our blog Our Favorite Hikes In The Smokies With Kids.
A Quick Glance At The Day By Day Itinerary
Each day in the itinerary includes fun activities, places to eat, where to park, and more tips for each day. This is the perfect itinerary for families with easy and interesting hikes, family-friendly restaurants, waterfalls, river floats, and more!
If you’d like more descriptions and photos of restaurants in Townsend, check out our blog A Local’s Guide To The Best Restaurants In Townsend.
Here’s a quick overview of each day and is further detailed below.
Day 1- Pack a picnic for lunch on the trail, and grab a hearty breakfast at Elvira’s Cafe on your way to the Alum Cave trailhead and the Sugarlands Visitor Center.
Day 2- Today is your waterfall day. You’ll hike to Spruce Flats Falls then drive a little further down the road to walk along the peaceful Middle Prong to view another 35 foot waterfall. Pack a picnic, wear your swimsuits, and grab breakfast at the Apple Valley Cafe.
Day 3- Enjoy a hike to an old schoolhouse and historic homestead before enjoying a picnic and swim at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area.
Day 4- Day 4 would need to be on a Wednesday to take advantage of car-free biking in Cades Cove, so you might need to switch up the days in the itinerary to make this work. After biking, enjoy a short hike to the nearby John Oliver Cabin.
Day 5- No trip to the Smokies is complete without a day tubing on the Little River. In the afternoon, Tuckaleechee Caverns is a fun place to spend a few hours in the cool temperature of the caves. Both of these activities take place in the heart of Townsend, so you will be close to restaurants and facilities.
Day 6- Hike one of the additional trails listed here, or consider rewarding the family with a trip to Dollywood!
Day 1- Alum Cave Trail and Sugarlands Visitor Center
Day 1 Overview
Pack a picnic for lunch on the trail, and grab a hearty breakfast at Elvira’s Cafe on your way to the Alum Cave trailhead and the Sugarlands Visitor Center.
Day 1 Breakfast- Elvira’s Cafe
You will leave happy and ready to hit the trail after a satisfying breakfast of homemade biscuits and gravy or the french toast with the famous Benton’s bacon, made in East Tennessee.
Elvira’s is located 4.5 miles from the 321 stoplight in Townsend. 4143 Wears Valley Road. Riverstone in Townsend would also be a great option for a hearty breakfast.
Day 1- Alum Cave Trail
After breakfast, enter the park through the Wears Valley Entrance and drive to the Alum Cave trailhead. The Alum Cave Trail is one of my favorite trails in the Smokies.
Featuring unique geological formations such as Arch Rock and Alum Cave, the trail follows a stream with log crossings and passes through rhododendron gardens. It’s such a beautiful trail.
This is the most challenging hike included in this itinerary, but is kid-friendly if you pace yourself. It’s worth it. You can always hike as long as you’d like and then turn around.
The 5 mile roundtrip hike to Alum Cave is the furthest away from Townsend but is a beautiful one and shouldn’t be missed.
It is a popular hike, so arrive early and on a weekday if possible. If you are here in the summer or on a fall weekend, skip Elvira’s and head here first to be here by 9am.
Spoiler Alert- Alum Cave is not actually a cave but more of an overhanging rock formation. Still impressive though. You can extend the hike from Alum Cave all the way to Mount LeConte if you are feeling motivated for a more difficult hike. See our blog Hiking Alum Cave To Mount Leconte With Kids.
Tip: On the way to Alum Cave, you’ll pass the super popular Laurel Falls hike. This is a paved 2.3 roundtrip hike to a lovely waterfall. It’s a good option for strollers if you can stomach the crowds and are lucky enough to score a parking spot.
Take Note: Laurel Falls Trail is closed for a major rehabilitation and is not projected to open until at least the summer of 2026.
Day 1- Sugarlands Visitor Center and Junior Ranger Badge
After your hike, stop at the Sugarlands Visitor Center on your way back home. Allow some time at the small museum in the Sugarlands Visitor Center.
The kiddos will enjoy looking at the animal exhibit, and the 20 minute video about the history of the park is brief enough to keep everyone’s attention.
If you have younger children, the short nature trails at Sugarlands could be hiked in place of the more challenging Alum Cave hike.
Cataract Falls- This trail is less than a mile roundtrip and ends at a beautiful 25-foot waterfall. The trail begins at the Visitor Center.
Nature Trail– A 1.2 mile loop trail following Fighting Creek features two historic properties: the Noah McCarter cabin and the John Ownby cabin. The trail also begins at the Visitor Center.
Tip: Restrooms and a gift shop are located at the Visitor Center.
Junior Ranger Badge
At the beginning of your stay, try to visit either Sugarlands or Cades Cove Visitor Centers to get maps, history of the park, current newsletter, and Junior Ranger Booklets for the kids.
The Junior Ranger Program is highly recommended, and your family will have fun completing the tasks required to earn a badge. You can purchase the Junior Ranger Guide ahead of time on the NPS website.
Day 2- Waterfalls In The Smokies
Day 2 Overview
Today is your waterfall day. You’ll hike to Spruce Flats Falls then drive a little further down the road to walk along the peaceful Middle Prong to spot another 35 foot waterfall. Pack a picnic, wear your swimsuits, and grab breakfast at the Apple Valley Cafe.
Day 2 Breakfast- Apple Valley Cafe
Enjoy a breakfast sandwich Apple Valley Cafe or take it “to go.” Next door you’ll find a fun General Store if you feel like browsing or buying candy treats for the trail. 7138 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway. Opens at 9am weekdays and 8am weekends.
Day 2- Hike Spruce Flats Falls
This moderate 2 mile roundtrip hike is found on the grounds of the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont and leads to a beautiful cascading waterfall.
This waterfall receives fewer visitors than other falls in the Smokies and is one of the closer trailheads to Townsend. The trail is steep and rocky in some sections but doable for most kids.
The trail starts on the gravel road running up to the building on the hill and then goes to the left around it. There the trail forks: Lumber Ridge Trail continues straight but you want to go right to climb behind the building.
Look for the signs for the “Falls Trail.” You can always ask for trailhead directions from the Institute’s Bookstore/Gift Shop located on the left after entering Tremont’s grounds.
Note: The hike is not considered an official trail of the Smokies, so you won’t find it on any maps of the park.
Tip: Flush bathrooms are located by the Bookstore.
Day 2- Explore The Middle Prong Trail
After your hike to Spruce Flats Falls, leave the Great Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont and turn left to drive 10 minutes along the road to the Middle Prong Trail for a quick stroll to view a waterfall and then return to the trailhead to play in the water.
Note: The road turns to gravel but is in good shape and doable in most any car.
The trail, an old logging road, is an easy, flat, wide trail running alongside the Middle Prong of the Little River with views of small cascades and a roaring waterfall.
I like this trail because you can walk for as long or short as you’d like and retrace your steps back to the car whenever you’re ready. It’s also suitable for a jog stroller if needed.
After crossing the bridge at the beginning of the trail, you have the option of continuing straight along the Middle Prong or taking a short “walkway” trail to the right that runs along the water as well. You can explore this short side trail first if you’d like or continue on the main trail.
The side trail leads to a bridge crossing where you’ll find a good swimming hole for the kids. If you want to skip the walk to the waterfall and swim instead, this is a good bet.
Tip: Near the beginning of the Middle Prong trail, you’ll find accessible places on the left to play in the water, but the further along the trail you go, the steeper the river embankment becomes.
About a half mile from the trailhead, you’ll reach the 35 foot waterfall on the left side of the trail. Sit on the trailside bench and take in the view of the falls. I recommend walking past the bench and around the curve for even better views.
For a longer hike, you can continue past the falls and turn around at the sign for the Panther Creek Trail at mile 2.3.
Tip: A short side trail at 2.1 miles leads to a rusty Cadillac leftover from the logging days in the 1920’s. It’s a really fun relic for the kids to see. A tree has fallen on the car in recent years but you can still see it.
Take note: This is a horse trail so watch your step.
Tip: You can push a jog stroller on this trail if needed. It is also a good trail in the snow as it is wide and flat. For photos of the trail, see our blog “Hiking the Middle Prong Trail In Winter.”
Day 3- Walker Sisters Cabin and Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse
Day 3 Overview
Today you’ll take a hike to an old schoolhouse and a historic homestead before enjoying a picnic and swim at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area. The picnic area and trailhead is about a 20 minute drive from Townsend.
Day 3- Breakfast- Elvira’s Cafe
If you didn’t get to Elvira’s Cafe on Day 1 or you liked it so much you thought it’s worth a repeat, then start your day here. Elvira’s is a good option today as it is on the way to your hike. It’s located 4.5 miles from the 321 stoplight in Townsend. 4143 Wears Valley Road.
Day 3- Historic Greenbrier Schoolhouse and Walker Sisters Cabin
This easy 4 mile roundtrip hike brings you to a schoolhouse built in 1882 and then continues on to the Walker Sisters cabin built after the Civil War. You can enter the log structures and imagine mountain life from days of yore.
Trailhead– Start the 4 mile roundtrip trail from the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area. The trail begins behind a gated gravel road near a bridge crossing the river. Follow the trail for roughly one mile to reach the schoolhouse.
Tip: To shorten the hike to 2.0 miles total, you can park at the Greenbrier Schoolhouse on Little Greenbrier Road (closed in the winter). The parking area is less than a half-mile up the narrow gravel road and is next to the historic Little Greenbrier School.
There are signs from the main road telling you where to turn to drive to the schoolhouse.
Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse
Spend some time at the Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse. Built in 1882 with the help of John Walker, the last classes in the small schoolhouse were held in 1935.
If you are here on a Tuesday, you may find a volunteer dressed as a teacher from the time period to lead classes. Otherwise, the kids will have a good time standing up front and instructing their siblings (and you).
Walker Sisters Homestead
After visiting the school and taking turns being the teacher, you’re now ready to continue to the Walker Sisters Cabin. The Little Brier Gap trail is located at the end of the gravel road that runs behind the cemetery in front of the schoolhouse. You’ll see a gate crossing the gravel road and the trail begins from there.
The trail is nice and wide and slightly uphill, but overall, an easy 1 mile stroll along a babbling brook to the Walker homestead. This is one of the busier hikes in the park, but my kids have always loved it because they get to explore inside the cabin.
Arrive early if visiting in the summer season to avoid the crowds.
Tip: Pack a picnic to enjoy on the grounds of the cabin or return to Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area where you can picnic riverside and try to catch tadpoles and crawdads. Restrooms are available at the picnic area.
For more details and photos, see our blog Our Favorite Hike To The Walker Sisters Cabin.
Day 3- Dinner
Try Peaceful Side Social, our favorite restaurant, if you want to sit outside and especially if you need a playground for the kids. Pick the Townsend Abbey if you want to sit by the river inside or outside, or Little River Pub And Deli for great food and also a river view location (although not as good a view as Townsend Abbey).
For more detailed descriptions and photos of these restaurants, check out our blog A Local’s Guide To The Best Restaurants In Townsend, TN.
Day 4 – Bike Cades Cove
Day 4 would need to be on a Wednesday to take advantage of car-free biking, so you might need to switch up the days in the itinerary to make this work.
Day 4 Overview
Today is an early morning, because you want to be at Cades Cove with your bike by 8:00am at the latest. You’ll pack a picnic, grab your bike helmets, and drive 7.5 miles from the Townsend Y to the Cades Cove area of the park.
After biking, visit the Cades Cove Campground Store for a cool refreshment if needed and then enjoy a short hike to the nearby John Oliver Cabin.
Day 4- Breakfast
Have breakfast at your lodging or breakfast bars in the car on the way there would probably be the easiest option today as you’ll be getting an early start. It would also be a great day to pack a picnic to enjoy after your bike ride.
Day 4- Biking Cades Cove Loop
Cades Cove is a broad valley surrounded by mountains and is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smokies. Cades Cove is beautiful and almost always guarantees an animal sighting (black bears, deer, turkey.)
Many people come to the Smokies just to drive the one-way 11 mile Cades Cove Loop which ultimately leads to a one-way traffic jam. It could easily take more than an hour to drive the 11 mile loop during peak season.
The good news is that you can bike or walk the loop without cars all day on Wednesdays from early May to late September.
We believe biking Cades Cove is THE can’t miss activity if you only have one day in the park.
You can bike the entire 11 mile loop or cut off at Sparks Lane for a 4 mile loop and Hyatt Lane for an 8 mile loop respectively. There are a few steep hills but you can always push your bike up them.
When our children were young, we did the 4 mile loop (along Sparks Lane) with our jog stroller. This is a good loop to walk if you aren’t up for a bike ride.
If you are in good shape and cruising fast with no stops, expect it to take at least an hour. But since you have all day, then definitely stop and tour some of the historic cabins and churches in the cove.
Also, Abrams Falls is a fantastic hike located on the Cades Cove Loop Road that is generally overrun on car days so it’s a good time to hike it on Wednesdays now.
Bring your own bikes with helmets or rent bikes (kids and adult bike available) at the Cades Cove Campground Store. It is first come, first served and they open at 7am so be here at 630am.
Note: Children 16 and under are required to wear helmets, so bring one or rent one. This is strictly enforced.
Multiple volunteers are stationed throughout the loop, especially by the steeper downhills. They will encourage you to go slowly downhill as well as enforce the helmet rule for children.
For more information, answers to FAQ’s and pictures along the loop road as well as info about bike rentals in the cove and e-bikes in Townsend, check out our blog Your Guide To Biking Cades Cove in the Smokies.
Big Tip– Go early or go late. This is a very popular activity and parking is limited. The sunrise over the cove is as spectacular as it is from Clingman’s Dome so I like to get up and be here by 530-6am. (And I am not a morning person so that tells you how great it is.) You can also plan on going in the late afternoon too, when the crowds have died down a bit.
Day 4- Cades Cove Picnic Area
After biking, stop by the restrooms near the Cades Cove Campground Store if needed before heading to the Cades Cove Picnic Area for lunch. After lunch, cool off in the stream before hiking to the nearby John Oliver Cabin.
The Campground Store offers snacks or drinks if needed as well as soft-serve ice cream for the kiddos.
Day 4 Alternative to Biking (or in addition to biking)- Hike to the John Oliver Cabin
If you can’t make it on a Wednesday to bike the Cades Cove, then park at Cades Cove Picnic Area and hike the Rich Mountain Trail to the John Oliver Cabin to get a taste of the cove without getting stuck in traffic. See our Easy Hikes In The Smokies With Kids for details.
Day 5- River Tubing and Tuckaleechee Caverns
Day 5 Overview
No summer trip to the Smokies is complete without a day tubing on the river. In the afternoon, cool off in the Tuckaleechee Caverns.
Both of these activities take place in the heart of Townsend, so you will be close to a choice of restaurants and facilities.
Day 5- Tubing the Little River
Floating down the cold Little River on a hot summer day is a tradition here. There are many outfitters on the main drag in Townsend that provide tubes and shuttles.
Tip: Call for reservations and to confirm water levels. It’s no fun to have to stand up and portage your tube through the shallow waters. Conversely, water levels could be high and fast. Call and check.
Remember to wear water shoes. Also keep in mind that some sections of the river are surprisingly deep, so children should wear a life jacket.
Smoky Mountain River Rat offers two routes and you can go as many times as you’d like in a day. They estimate 2 hours to float depending on water levels.
Reserve online and save a couple of dollars. Per their website: We offer both the upper section and lower sections of the Little River. The lower section, and main outpost, is our family friendly float and features relaxing rapids, scenic views, and even a rock jump! The lower outpost is ideal for ages two and up.
The upper section is what we like to call the “adventure float.” It features a scenic float with adrenaline-pumping rapids and cool, refreshing swimming holes. The upper outpost is suitable for ages six and older. Note: Age restrictions may apply due to high-water levels.
Day 5- Tuckaleechee Caverns
Escape the heat of the day with a tour of the “Greatest Site Under the Smokies.” The Tuckaleechee Caverns have been carved over tens of thousands of years and are estimated to be between 20 and 30 million years old.
It’s a huge favorite with the kids and a great place to cool off on a hot summer day.
Look for the seismometer in the gift shop. It has recorded the earthquake that caused the tsunami in Thailand as well as underground nuclear tests in North Korea. Pretty cool!
Tip: You need to be able to negotiate stairs. Located within a 5 minute drive of Townsend. 825 Cavern Rd.
For additional activities in Townsend, see our blog “Exploring Townsend- A Local’s Guide.“
Day 6- Other Fun Activities in the Smokies
Day 6 would be a great day to try some other hikes in the Smokies, or visit some of the nearby attractions in Townsend and Sevierville. We’ve listed a few of our favorites here.
Dollywood
If you want to add some additional fun to your visit, you’ll find Dollywood’s Theme Park and Splash Country Water Park just 40 minutes from Townsend in the nearby touristy town of Pigeon Forge.
Take Highway 321 through beautiful Wear’s Valley straight to Pigeon Forge then follow your GPS to the vast parking lot for Dollywood. Catch a show, watch crafters at work, or experience one of the park’s 40 amusement rides.
Wings of an Eagle and Lightning Rod are roller coasters that will impress even the most jaded teenager.
Dollywood is super family-friendly and a good way to spend the day. It can be crowded in the summer (and hot) but you can always swing over to Dollywood’s Splash Country to cool off.
If you would like to stay in Pigeon Forge for a day or two, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa is superb. Family-friendly with bunk beds in many of the rooms and a huge pool area that includes a splash pad for the littlest guys.
Included with your stay is the TimeSaver Pass to skip lines, a free shuttle to the park, and your own entrance to Dollywood.
We had a blast at the DreamMore and would stay again. Prices at the onsite restaurant were reasonable as well, a rarity in resorts.
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
Located in Gatlinburg, this is a really fun aquarium. At Ripley’s Aquarium, sharks swim overhead in glass tanks, and you’ll find hands-on opportunities with horseshoe crabs. It’s expensive though and can be super crowded. It’s at least a 45 minute drive from Townsend.
Wonderworks
WonderWorks is one of the best Pigeon Forge attractions and a fun visit for the entire family. With over 35,000 square feet of “edu-tainment,” WonderWorks is an “amusement park for the mind” with over 100 interactive exhibits for visitors of all ages.
Experience the trembling of a 6.0 Earthquake, make human-size bubbles in the bubble lab, fly a fighter jet, lie on a bed of nails, ride the roller coaster simulation, experience rock climbing and test your skills on the 50ft tall indoor ropes challenge course.
Townsend Biking Trails
An easy, relatively flat 10-mile, paved bike path runs parallel to the main drag of Townsend (US 321.) Parking is available at both ends. It passes by many restaurants, shops, and motels, as well as several historic sites.
Stop by the Townsend Visitor Center for an informative booklet.
This could be a fun way to exercise, learn about the area, and stop for a lunch outing, but note that you will hear the sound of cars driving by.
The path also goes by the Townsend Visitor Center located at 7906 East Lamar Alexander Parkway (US 321) in the heart of Townsend.
Townsend Visitor Center
Be sure to stop by or check out their website for upcoming festivals and events in Townsend.
Looking for more things to do in Townsend? Find out about its swinging bridges, mountain biking, fly fishing, drive-in movie theaters, and more! For additional activities in Townsend, see our “Exploring Townsend- A Local’s Guide.“
Helpful Links & Resources
Here are a few resources for your trip to the Smokies. Our Smokies webpage will have even more info to help you plan a fantastic trip for your family! Happy Trails! Amy
If you loved this guide, take a look at our other itineraries available on our sister website: Simply Awesome Trips. We cover national parks as well as US and international destinations. No time to plan a vacation? We’ve already done it for you!
