View of the Smoky Mountain from the Gatlinburg Region of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Gatlinburg is a major tourist town in Tennessee just outside of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and it is the main point of entry into the park for those coming from or through Tennessee. Only a few miles to the north is Pigeon Forge, another tourist trap most famous for being the home of Dollywood. Put these two towns together and you have the potential for a tourist explosion. This explosion hits its zenith in the fall, the busiest season for the park and the Gatlinburg tourist area. I have been to parks in Washington, D. C., New York, Boston, and San Francisco, and I can say without a doubt that this area of the Smoky Mountains is the most jam packed place that I have ever been in my life, not just in a National Park. During one October visit I made a wrong turn from within the park and ended up having to go through Gatlinburg to get back into the park, and it took me SIX HOURS to do so. The entire day was ruined by one wrong turn. Great Smoky Mountains National Park draws three times the number of people as does Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and Yosemite.
HIKING TRAILS
There are many hiking trails in the Gatlinburg region, and over 800 miles of trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is not possible for me to hike all of them, but I did hike a few in each region. Here are a some suggestions for day-hikes near Gatlinburg.
Bull Head Trail
One of the most beautiful trails in the park, this 6-mile trail leads to the top of Mount LeConte.
Rainbow Falls Trail
The trail is 6 miles, one-way, but the waterfall is located only 2.6 miles from the start.
Trillum Gap Trail (to Grotto Falls)
Waterfall is located 1.4 miles up the trail (2.8-mile round trip).
HISTORICAL AREAS
PICNIC AREAS
Chimneys Picnic Area
68-site picnic area south of Gatlinburg on Hwy 441. The best picnic area in the park.
Twin Creeks Pavilion
150-seat pavilion available for rental. Open seasonally.
SCENIC DRIVES
VISITOR CENTERS
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Last updated on February 13, 2025
