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Great Smoky Mountains National Park neighbors several small towns which provide attractions, lodging, restaurants, and unique shopping to the many tourists travelling to the Smoky Mountains area.
101 Reasons to Visit the Park | Fall Colors | Attractions | Add Your Site
Neighboring Towns:
Cherokee | Gatlinburg | Maggie Valley | Pigeon Forge | Sevierville | Townsend | Wears Valley
| Whitewater Rafting & Tubing |
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One of the most popular things to do in the Smoky Mountains is whitewater rafting and tubing down a cool mountain river. Several locations are offered for this sport which is enjoyed by children and adults of all ages. [Tubing]
Rafting in the Smokies
Whitewater Rafting at its best! A great Family Adventure! NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. For 32 years we have offered trips on the Upper and Lower Pigeon River. Exciting Class III and IV Rapids on the Upper Pigeon for children 8 y.o. and up OR a relaxing float trip on the Lower Pigeon for ages 3 and up to grand-parents. Trip times can be coordinated so that you can all drive together and split for the level of excitement you'd like. Experienced guide in every raft. Call for reservations or information at (800) PRO-RAFT (800)776-7238.
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| Fishing |
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For the first time in 30 years, anglers are now able to fish for brook trout in park streams due to a successful brook trout restoration program.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has about 2,115 miles of streams within its boundaries and protects one of the last wild trout habitats in the eastern United States. The park offers a wide variety of angling experiences from remote, headwater trout streams to large, coolwater smallmouth bass streams. Most streams remain at or near their carrying capacity of fish and offer a great opportunity to catch these species throughout the year.
Fishing is permitted year-round in the park, from 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset.
More information on fishing in the Park
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| Hiking |
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Walking and hiking are favorite ways for many people to see Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Much of the interest and mood present in the park depends on finding subtle variations in nature not seen from automobiles. For example, wildflowers, cascading streams, the scent of evergreens, and the sounds of birds are best seen and experienced away from roads. For this reason, the National Park Service maintains 800 miles of trails here. [Hiking Trails]
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| Camping |
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Great Smoky Mountain camping is primitive by design. Besides sites nestled in the woods and along rivers, all campgrounds provide cold running water and flush toilets. No hook-ups are available inside the Park. Pets must be restrained at all times and are not permitted on hiking trails.
[Camping Information]
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| Sightseeing |
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Sighteeing in the Smoky Mountains is unlimited. There are a number of driving trails, numerous historic buildings, and many scenic pullovers throughout the Park.
Historic Buildings | Driving Trails | Fall Colors
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| Horseback Riding |
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• Arrowmont Stables - Choose from several scenic trails, lunch and supper rides, or a cantering and trotting program.
• Big Creek Outdoors - Offering horseback riding adventures, mountain biking, fishing, cabin rentals, and RV and camp sites. Provides photos and descriptions of cabins, policies, and contact information.
• Cades Cove Riding Stables - Horseback riding, carriage rides, and hayrides.
• Carolina Outfitters - Family horseback riding trips into the scenic back country of the Nantahala Gorge.
• French Broad Outpost Ranch - Offering day and overnight trips. Also have cattle drives with guest participation, team penning contests, rafting trips, fishing trips. Includes hiking along the Appalachian Trail where you might hear a live bluegrass band or pickers, or a live country singer or band. Sometimes there will be storytellers, sing-a-longs, bonfires, line dancing, and on Saturday night is the great Square dance and hoe-down.
• Meadow Creek Mountain Farm Riding Stable - Offering one or two hour rides; also an overnight pack trip with a chuck wagon meal cooked over a wood fire (includes activities of horseshoes, hiking, and campfire with singing and storytelling as well as a hearty mountain breakfast the following morning.
• Smoky Mountain Riding Stables - Smoky Mountain Riding Stables is an established horseback riding stable which has been in operation for over 20 years. No experience is necessary to ride. All horseback rides are great for beginner through advanced riders, with beautiful wooded scenery and mountain streams.
• Walden Creek Stables - Over 500 acres, 100 horses and 50 cowboys and cowgirls. Western gift shop, bonfire entertainment, gunfight shows. Free for our horseback riders and overnighters. Our Horseback riding stables are a family attraction for Smoky Mountain guest and neighbors alike. Horseback riding on over 500 acres with 100 horses and 50 riding cowboys keeps the action going seven days a week, including Christmas Day.
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| Bicycling |
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Bicycling in the Smoky Mountains is a wonderful experience. The fresh air and beautiful scenery contribute to making your day in the Smokies one to remember. Bicycles are permitted on most roads within the park. However, many park roads are not well suited for safe and enjoyable bicycle riding due to steep terrain, narrow road surfaces, and heavy automobile traffic. There are several roads that are suitable for bicycling. [Bicycling]
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| Trolley Tours |
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| Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge offer trolley tours. Gatlinburg provides trolley service to specified areas of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Gatlinburg's trolley system is the fifth largest mass transit system in the state of Tennessee. The trolley system was established in 1980 with a fleet of only six trolleys. Gatlinburg now has 20 trolleys that service approximately 50 miles in and around Gatlinburg and surrounding areas. [Trolley routes and prices]
The Pigeon Forge Fun Time Trolley routes go to both ends of the Parkway, the Gatlinburg Welcome Center, Dollywood, Dolly's Splash Country, and Wears Valley. [Trolley routes and prices]
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