A Simply Awesome Day In Great Smoky Mountains National Park

What To See In The Great Smoky Mountains If You Only Have One Day

Only have time for a one day visit to the Smokies? Here’s the perfect one day itinerary for your visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

If you are staying or visiting downtown Knoxville, here’s your chance to take a day trip to visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

We provide all the details you need to spend one day in the Smokies.

Living just 30 minutes from the entrance to the Smokies, we are often asked about a one day itinerary. Although you could easily spend a week here, we think this one day plan captures the spirit and beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

If you are visiting or staying in Knoxville, this would be the perfect itinerary for a day trip to the Smokies.

The itinerary described here is one of the closest in the Smokies to downtown Knoxville with just one hour of driving.

Tip: Although the Cades Cove Loop is a popular tourist stop in the Smokies, we recommend avoiding it during peak summer season as well as during the fall as you’ll spend more time breathing in the fumes from a traffic jam on this one way loop rather than enjoying nature.

P.S. If you are visiting Knoxville, check out our Essential Guide To Knoxville.

See our Smokies page to see all of our favorite places in the park we love so much – best hikes, biking Cades Cove, and more. For a full week of fun, see our blog “Great Smoky Mountains Itinerary.”

Heads Up: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through our links, at no additional cost to you. We don’t accept money in exchange for specific recommendations. Read more about our philosophy.

A breathtaking view of a vast, green mountain range under a clear blue sky. Lush forests cover the undulating hills, with a few tree branches framing the foreground. The distant horizon reveals layers of mountains fading into the sky. — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Overview of One Day In The Smoky Mountains

This simply awesome day in the Smokies includes a visit to an historic schoolhouse and a short hike to a historic homestead before enjoying a picnic and swim at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area.

Our one day itinerary to the historic Greenbrier School House and the Walker Sisters Cabin is closer to downtown Knoxville and much less crowded than the Cades Cove Loop.

Metcalf Bottoms is a 20 minute drive from Townsend, TN and a one hour drive from downtown Knoxville.

Breakfast at Elvira’s Cafe in Wears Valley
4 mile roundtrip hike to Little Greenbrier School House and Walker Sisters Cabin
Picnic at the water’s edge or swim at Metcalf Bottoms
Dinner or drinks at Peaceful Side Smokies in Townsend

Morning-Where To Eat Breakfast

Elvira’s serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We’ve always enjoy a good meal here and it’s on the way to the trailhead when entering the park from Wears Valley.

Go early or be prepared for some long lines, this place is very popular and locally famous. Luckily there is a nice big porch to relax on while you wait for your table to be ready.

It is located 4.5 miles from the 321 stoplight in Townsend. 4143 Wears Valley Road. Open seasonally.

Metcalf Bottoms Trail- Hike To Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse

After your hearty breakfast at Elvira’s, drive 10 minutes to the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area to begin an easy 4 mile roundtrip hike via the Metcalf Bottoms Trail to a historic schoolhouse and then on to the Walker Sisters Homestead via the Little Brier Gap Trail.

Here, you can enter the log structures and imagine mountain life from days of yore.

Tip: If you have little ones, you can push a jog stroller on this trail if needed.

Driving Directions To The Trailhead

The trailhead is located at the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area and is easily accessed from the Wears Valley Entrance to the park. From Wears Valley Road, turn onto Lyon Springs Ln and follow it into the national park where the name changes to Wear Cove Gap Rd.

To reach the picnic area, continue on Wear Cove Gap Rd and turn right into the picnic area. Park at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area.

The trail starts at the other side of the river, on the right side of the picnic area, behind a gated gravel road.

We prefer to park at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area and then hike to the schoolhouse.

Tip: If you have young children and desire a shorter walking distance, you can actually park at the Greenbrier Schoolhouse on Little Greenbrier Road (a narrow gravel road- closed in the winter).

Map showing a park near a river, with a trailhead located behind a gate. A path leads northeast to a schoolhouse. Red arrows and labels indicate key locations: the park, trailhead, and schoolhouse. — Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area and Trailhead to Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse. Map courtesy of OpenStreetMaps with my own additions.

*DON’T FORGET YOUR PARKING PASS!* As of March 2023, you will need a parking pass to park anywhere in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for more than 15 minutes. Parking passes can be bought online, at all Visitor Centers, and at a few other places, like the Townsend Visitor Center.

Trail Description- Metcalf Bottoms Trail To Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse

Start the trail from the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area. You’ll see a gate on the right after crossing a small bridge. Follow the Metcalf Bottoms Trail for roughly one mile to reach the schoolhouse.

Tip: To shorten the hike to 2.6 miles total, you can actually 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.

Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse

The Metcalf Bottom Trail, in less than one mile, brings you to a schoolhouse built in 1882. From there, you can continue on a short way on the Little Brier Gap Trail to reach the Walker Sisters Cabin built after the Civil War.

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’ll often find a volunteer dressed as a teacher from the time period to lead classes as part of the park’s “School days at Little Greenbrier.” Otherwise, the kids will have a good time standing up front and instructing their siblings (and you).

After visiting the school and taking turns being the teacher, you’re now ready to continue to the Walker Sisters Cabin on the Little Brier Gap Trail.

Children playing in an old-fashioned, rustic wooden classroom with wooden benches. One child stands near a large chalkboard at the front, while others sit on the benches facing the board. The room is lit by natural light from a window. — Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse

Trail Description- Schoolhouse To The Walker Sisters Cabin and Homestead via Little Brier Gap Trail

The Little Brier Gap Trail takes you from the Schoolhouse to the Walker Sisters Cabin and Homestead.

The Little Brier Gap Trail is located at the end of the gravel road that runs behind the cemetery in front of the schoolhouse. The trail is nice and wide and slightly uphill but overall an easy 1 mile stroll to the Walker Sisters homestead.

See the NPS blog for more info on the Walker Sister History.

Children exploring the Walker Sisters Cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park — Walker Sisters Homestead

This is one of the busier hikes, but your kids will love it because you get to explore inside the cabin. Arrive early if visiting in summer season to avoid the crowds.

Interior of Walker Sisters Cabin
Walker Sisters Cabin

Afternoon- Picnic and Play In The River At Metcalf Bottoms

Pack a picnic to enjoy on the grounds of the cabin or return to Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area where you can dine riverside.

The river here is fantastic for wading and even tubing in the summer. Also, trying to catch tadpoles and crawdads!

Tip: Flush restrooms are are available at Metcalf Bottoms.

Dinner In Townsend, TN- The Best Restaurants

After a great day in the Smokies, enjoy a bite and a brew at one of Townsend’s restaurants that offer outdoor seating.

Peaceful Side Social has a huge outdoor patio to sip your craft beer, watch a game on one their huge TVs, play some cornhole, and enjoy the scenic views. Did we mention it also has terrific food? Order at the counter and they will bring it to your table.

Peaceful Side Social- Great food, great patio. Our favorite place to eat after a hike in the Smokies.

Apple Valley Cafe is another good choice with an outdoor beer garden and delicious burgers. Enjoy your dinner and then browse the General Store for souvenirs or a candy splurge.

The Townsend Abbey is another great option with riverside dining, cold beverages, and good food. It’s a former wedding chapel which makes it all the more fun. This is one of the only places to eat riverside in Townsend. They often have live music on weekends as well.

For more info and dining options in Townsend, see our Local’s Guide To The Best Restaurants In Townsend.

Happy Trails!

If you’d like to learn more about Townsend, TN and exploring the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, see our blogs:

Check out our Smokies page to see all of our favorite places in the park we love so much – best hikes, favorite campgrounds, biking Cades Cove, lodging, and more. For a full week of fun, see our blog “Great Smoky Mountains Itinerary.”

Planning A Family Vacation To The Smokies? See Our Local’s Guide To The Smokies

If you want more info about the Tennessee side of the Smokies and especially about our favorite family-friendly trails, check out our Great Smoky Mountains National Park Guidebook available on Amazon.

It lists recommended lodging options if you are not camping as well as activities and restaurants in nearby Townsend, TN.

We give you a detailed, 5 day itinerary that hits the highlights of the park while missing the crowds and introduces you to the Smokies we know and love as locals.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park with Kids: A Local’s Guide– Buy on Amazon