Exciting Things to Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park for Thrill Seekers
THE 5 BEST Extreme Activities & Thrilling Things to Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Exciting Things to Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park for Thrill Seekers
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6 places sorted by traveller favourites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
What travellers are saying
- PattyMcC7Landisville, PA244 contributionsGreat hike along the bolder-filled creek. Quiet, with just the water sounds and mini waterfalls every now and then. Sturdy bridges too. The parking lot was jammed at 8 am on a Monday with people parking offsite and walking to trailhead. We came back at 3 PM and there were plenty of spots in the lot. We only went to the cave (2.7 one way) so it worked for us.Written 26 September 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Rochelle FRandolph, NJ1,046 contributionsThis 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 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- dona s43 contributionsWE decided to try this trail and we are not veteran hikers by any means.The hike to the water from the parking lot is easy but after that get ready.The hike itself was very beautiful.We started early so we didn't see hardly anybody else.We crossed 4 bridges and scaled many steps.We took our time and rested when needed.We passed maybe 6 people on their way back but nobody went to the top.We were told that the path splits and you can continue on a very steep trek to the top or go to the left to a waterfall.Nobody seemed to know how far the waterfall was so nobody went.We also turned around at the fork.There are a whole lot of steps to get as far as we did and it was a great workout.WE were proud of ourselves due to the fact of our ages 61 and 71.Also between us we have an open heart surgery and a bad knee.Written 9 October 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- lovetravel2896 contributionsThis is a very beautiful trail, but heartbreaking to see the trash on the side of the trail. It is about 3 hours in and out. It says moderately difficult, but was not any trouble at all. There were a few steep hills but very doable, just bring a water, but please don't leave the trash.Written 14 August 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Timothy DGray, LA182 contributionsThis was an awesome experience, but you need to be physically fit to hike this trail to the falls. It took us 5 hours to hike to the falls and back. Bring water, energy bars, backpacks, and a paper map. You will lose cellphone coverage. Trekking Poles were nice to have.Written 9 March 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jim DChapel Hill, NC11 contributionsI love Heintooga -- the drive, the campground, the picnic area, the overlook. But I advise visitors to be careful about some confusing nomenclature. There are two different roads that connect here, with very different experiences.
The paved, two-way "Heintooga Spur Road," also sometimes called the Balsam Mountain Road, departs from the Blue Ridge Parkway, enters the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and ends nine miles later in a loop adjacent to the Heintooga picnic area and the top of the Flat Creek Trail (the first hundred yards or so of which takes you to the overlook and benches for a great sunset). Just before the top, this road passes the entrance to Balsam Mountain Campground.
The unpaved, one-way "Heintooga-Round Bottom Road" starts at the top -- at the end loop of the paved road above. It's a former logging rail bed that wends 14 miles (counts vary) downhill to eventually enter the Qualla Boundary (Cherokee "reservation") as Straight Fork Road. It passes a handful of hiking trailheads along the way, and its lower reaches follow a beautiful creek (Straight Fork of the Raven Fork).
There are two kinds of "mountain roads" -- ON the mountains (views) and IN the mountains (solitude). This gravel one-way road is very much the latter -- the closest you can come to a backwoods hike in a car. If you travel it, stop at least once. Turn off the car. Sit still and listen. And no, you don't need a lifted 4x4 to travel it. In most conditions, a regular passenger car can make it with care. If there's been a lot of rain, maybe call and ask a ranger about conditions. Fat-tire or gravel bikes are a possibility here too.
Anyhow: The terms "Balsam," "Heintooga," "spur," "Round Bottom," etc. can get thrown around pretty interchangeably. Because the two roads are so different in character and access, it's worth checking twice. But do go, and have a great time!Written 24 January 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.