Things to Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with Kids

THE 10 BEST Family & Kid Activities in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Things to Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with Kids

Category types
Outdoor Activities
Traveller rating
Good for
12 places sorted by traveller favourites
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

What travellers are saying

  • Timothy D
    Gray, LA182 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Awesome drive on the Motor Nature Trail. Beautiful winding and narrow road thru the park. Didn't see any wildlife, and part of this was closed for the winter. See worth the effort.
    Written 10 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Rochelle F
    Randolph, NJ1,046 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is a beautiful hike (a lot of it is uphill on the way there). You should not take food as bears can be out (we saw them elsewhere in the park). The waterfall was pretty, although there was not so much water. Again as per my other reviews of this National Park, the parking is very minimal.
    Written 29 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Rochelle F
    Randolph, NJ1,046 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful twisty road off the Blue Ridge Parkway with amazing scenic views. We were driving from Asheville on the Blue Ridge Pkwy to the Smokey Mountains - this was the perfect way to do that and to see amazing scenery on the way.
    Written 28 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Timothy D
    Gray, LA182 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    It's a beautiful scenic drive in the Foothills of the smoky mountains. Good chance to see wildlife as you drive. Definitely recommend.
    Written 9 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • LisaMNUSA
    Saint Paul, MN990 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The parking lot for the overlook is relative bigger, we circled the parking lot twice and found a parking spot.
    The scenery is great, you can the blue smoky mountains here.
    Written 28 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Anthony K
    Chicago, IL38 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very neat trail, one of two that dogs are allowed on in the Smokies. Nice and soothing stroll beside the river. Only negative is that you have to walk alongside the road for a little while and there’s no trash bins along the way. Parking next to the Ranger Station gives best access to the path. Has access to the water as well to cool off for warmer months.
    Written 18 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Indy-ND
    South Bend, IN3,553 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    My partner and I drove the length of Little River Gorge Road, from Cades Cove to the Sugarlands Visitor Center. We made 6-7 stops along the way, including the tunnel, the Sinks, multiple pull-offs and overlooks. We also drove from the Visitor Center to Laurel Falls Trailhead. It's a beautiful drive. It's nice that there are so many pull-offs, because inevitably, someone will want to go much faster than you do. Just pull off and let them go.
    Written 26 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Fun4Me2Travel
    Nebraska1,173 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A hidden gem among GSMNP. This road is half paved and half gravel. A beautiful slow drive along the river with random waterfalls and wildlife. The road was not busy at all when we were there late morning. The road ends in a dead end which is a trailhead for those who would like to hike. Lots of turnaround if you choose not to go the whole distance.
    Written 29 May 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Entrada_Regatta
    Washington, DC32 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    My daughter (22) and I awoke before the rest of the family to do the Porters Creek Trail in late December 2023. It was a great time to go. Nice weather. No crowds (indeed, we had the trail all to ourselves until about 11 am!) And no bear activity (a plus for us, but I know not for all). Even in the winter, the trail was beautiful.Great creek and a few fun crossings. A historic cemetery and a few structures from the early 1800s. And the waterfall at the end was a great place for us to grab and bite and turn back. I would recommend the hike for anyone regardless of age and skill level. It's a 4 mile RT fun hike!
    Written 26 December 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Lisa M
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We loved this trail! Was a moderately challenging trail with beautiful views of the stream that was alongside the hike.
    Written 14 July 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Earl B
    Baton Rouge, LA2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We have driven CC many times. Decided to take this road to see colors. Not disappointed! It is a one way drive that ends in Townsend. It takes about an hour to drive including stops. The colors were beautiful. Average speed is 10-15mph. It takes about an hour to drive. The road is gravel but it is well maintained. Our Camry did fine. Only 2 other vehicles along the way.
    Written 27 October 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Bobbi S
    Lido Beach, NY4,838 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    As a 3-generation, 13 member family that included 5 kids 5 years old & younger, we chose this riverside trail because it was considered stroller-friendly and an easy walk/hike. Some parts of the trail were harder than others because of erosion along the river-side of it, some of it was hard to maneuver around the rocks embedded in it, but for the most part, it was beautiful because of the soothing river sounds, no bugs , shaded, & the only negatives were that bears were prevalent nearby & the only creatures we saw were centipedes (the adults were more disappointed than the kids were about this). Arrive early to get a parking spot @ the trailhead & make sure to take some time to check out "Daisy Town", old, wooden cabins initially built in the early 1900's for lumber workers & later used in the 1920's & 30's by the Appalachian Club for City dwellers looking to get out into the country.
    Written 21 June 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.