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Exploring the Smoky Mountains
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items The Smoky Mountains are one of our favorite places to visit! I visited many times with my family when I was younger and now I get to bring my boys to our favorite places! We do more of the mountain and nature activities and not as much of the tourist...
Map
Sections
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National Park Sites
Pigeon Forge
Gatlinburg
What to Pack
National Park Sites
The drive to Cataloochee is long and windy but oh so worth it! One of our favorite places to visit in the smokies! It was damaged in 2024 by Hurricane Helene and you aren’t able to drive as far into it as you used to but you are able to park and walk...
Cataloochee
Beautiful loop around an old homestead. Lots of wildlife like deer, bears, and turkey. Plan to spend a couple of hours here and it’s best to go early morning or late afternoon. Can get very busy! On Wednesdays during the summer, you can only walk or ...
Cades Cove - Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. National ...
Located right off the Gatlinburg strip and takes you on a beautiful scenic drive through the old community of Roaring Forks. A few places to stop and explore but it gets very crowded and there are often no parking spots. The Bud Ogle farm had a prett...
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail - National Park Service
Gift shop, bathrooms, and small museum with various animals and plants you’ll see throughout the smokies. Take the nature trail behind it to Cataract falls. A very easy and pretty hike.
Visitor Centers - Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. ...
My husband’s favorite place to visit in the smokies! The inside is currently closed but it’s very cool to see an old grist mill built many years ago!
Mingus Mill (U.S. National Park Service)
If you visit on Tuesdays, you will likely encounter Robin Goddard who stayed with the Walker Sisters when she was younger and has story upon stories to tell!
Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse (U.S. National Park Service)
A 1.1 mile walk one way walk to visit the cabin of the Walker sisters. Their story is truly fascinating and I have read so much about them since our trip. My boys were able to do this hike at ages 6 and 4.
The Walker Sisters - Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. ...
The location of the Smoky Mountain National Park ceremony dedication ceremony. A very pretty overlook to stop at!
Newfound Gap Overlook (U.S. National Park Service)
Closed in the winter and definitely chilly in many months but a fun experience! The path is fully paved but the elevation change is quite steep!
Kuwohi Observation Tower (U.S. National Park Service)
Pigeon Forge
Delicious home cooking! We went for lunch on our way out of town and got there around 1pm and there was no wait. We’ve tried many other times for dinner in years past and have not been able to get a seat! I definitely see why now!
The Old Mill Restaurant
Fun dinner show! The soup they serve is my favorite!!!
Show information for Dolly Parton's Stampede Pigeon Forge, TN
Very well put together and designed Scooby Doo themed putt-putt! They also have a gem mining set up inside. 2 different putt-putt courses to choose from!
Scooby Doo Mystery Putt
Gatlinburg
Unique putt-putt experience! You ride the tram up the mountain and play putt-putt down the mountain!
Hillbilly Golf | Gatlinburg TN - Facebook
Fun and well designed putt-putt course!
Ripley's Davy Crockett Mini Golf, Gatlinburg | Tickets, hours
Ride up the mountain for shops, restaurants, tree top course, observation tower, and more! It’s a fun experience but we prefer the more non-touristy mountain experiences!
Anakeesta Mountaintop Adventure Park in Gatlinburg Tennessee
Visited here many times as a kid! It was my only real skiing experience. They have built it up a lot over the years and there are a ton of activities and shops to visit.
Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area & Adventure Park | Ober Gatlinburg
What to Pack
If you’re exploring hiking trails, make sure you have bug spray!
OFF! FamilyCare Insect Repellent I, Smooth & Dry, 2.5 Fluid Ounces, 1 count
When inside of the park, there aren’t many food options. We throw these in the ice chest each day to keep everyone from getting hangry!
Smucker’s Uncrustables Peanut Butter & Grape Jelly Sandwiches, 10 Count, 2 oz Each, Frozen
There are lots of pretty places to stop and picnic so it’s good to have this handy to clean hands wherever you stop.
Germ-X Hand Sanitizer with Aloe & Vitamin E, Scented, Travel Size Hand Sanitizer Bottle, 2 fl oz
There are a ton of places for kids to walk/swim in the creeks and it is very rocky so kids water shoes are good to have!
Wonder Nation Toddler Little and Big Boys or Girls Water Shoes - Walmart.com
I bought these for our boys on one of their first trips to the smokies. I love to stamp the different places they visit with the dates and hope that one day, they will visit other national parks and continue to document their adventures!
Passport To Your National Parks