Essential Tips for Planning A Great Smoky Mountains Road Trip
- Robynne Trueman
- Nov 20
- 8 min read
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States, receiving more than 12 million visitors annually. It's easy to see why – with incredible wildlife, hiking trails, and charming mountain towns in the area, it is the perfect getaway for couples, families, and outdoor enthusiasts. Beat the crowds and plan your trip to maximize time in the park with these tips and recommendations.
Where To Stay Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park
There are plenty of options for where to stay near Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee, with the most popular being the nearby towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Gatlinburg is a quaint mountain town on the edge of the park while Pigeon Forge is what I would describe as the Las Vegas of Tennessee.
Jokes aside, my recommendation for where to stay near Great Smoky Mountains National Park is actually Townsend, Tennessee. This charming small town border the Cades Cove entrance of the park making it ideal for visitors who want the best chance of spotting wildlife on the Cades Cove loop early in the morning without getting stuck in a lot of traffic. I spent a week in Townsend doing just that and found it to be the perfect place to feel immersed in nature and relax while still enjoying access to fantastic restaurants and beautiful accommodations. Here are three different accommodation options in Townsend for every price range: budget, mid-range, or luxury.
Budget: Elkmont Campground, Great Smoky Mountains NP
Elkmont Campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is open fro March 14 to November 30 and is located near the Sugarlands Visitor Center in the North District of the park. The campground offers tent and RV campsites, flush toilets and drinking water, but note that there are no hookups or showers. This is a great option for true outdoor enthusiasts on a budget – spend the entire trip fully immersed in nature and spot wildlife inside the park from dawn until dusk.
Price per Night: $30 USD
Address: 434 Elkmont Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Amenities: Ice, firewood, food storage lockers, potable water, flush toilets
Mid-Range: Little Arrow Outdoor Resort, Townsend, TN
Little Arrow Outdoor Resort is a unique property in Townsend, Tennessee, that offers a variety of accommodation types. From Glamping Tents to cozy Cabins to Tiny Homes, there are a range of styles to book, all stylishly decorated and granting guests access to the amenities on the beautiful property. I stay in one of the two bedroom tiny homes which is perfect for a family of four or two couples. As a bonus, it is also dog-friendly and the property has a fenced off leash dog park as well as private, quiet hiking trails to enjoy with your pup!
Price per Night: From $220 USD
Address: 118 Stables Dr, Townsend, TN 37882, United States
Amenities: Swimming pool, hiking trails, restaurant, dog park
Luxury: Dancing Bear Lodge, Townsend, TN
Dancing Bear Lodge is home to 28 unique accommodations located on a stunning 38-acre property in the heart of Townsend. There are one bedroom and two bedroom rustic cabin options as well as more modern villas, all with a touch of luxury with natural charm. The beds are extremely comfortable and several of the cabins are dog-friendly. This property has a lot to offer in terms of amenities with a phenomenal restaurant on-site called Dancing Bear Bistro, as well as a coffee shop called the Dancing Bean, which also has delicious breakfast wraps.
Price per Night: From $300 USD
Address: 7140 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN 37882, United States
Amenities: Restaurants, retail shop, coffee shop, hot tub, local coffee beans
Top Things To Do In The Great Smoky Mountains
Drive the Cades Cove Loop
Cades Cove is a scenic valley surrounded on all sides by mountains south of Townsend, Tennessee. A popular 11-mile one-way loop road encircling the valley provides access to hiking trails, opportunities for wildlife viewing, and chances to explore the many historic sites. This was where we spent a lot of time looking for bears to photograph (from a safe distance, of course) and we also saw a coyote. Coming in the spring and summer means a chance to see bear cubs as well, but always respect wildlife and do not approach wild animals.
Go River Tubing in Townsend
Little River is a 60-mile (97 km) river in Tennessee, beginning above Elkmont in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and running through Townsend to later meet up with the Tennessee River. During the hot and humid summer months, getting in the river is the perfect way to cool down. You'll see plenty of people in tubes, floating downstream, lazy-river style. Smoky Mountain River Rat Tubing and River Rage Tubing are a couple of the top options for rentals. Be mindful that the river tubing rentals close for the reason in the fall through to spring.
See Sunrise at Kuwohi Observation Tower
Kuwohi, formerly Clingman's Dome, is a must when exploring Great Smoky Mountains National park. At 6,643 feet, Kuwohi is the highest point in the Smokies, with the observation tower offering exceptional views over the mountains at sunrise and sunset. I recommend doing the Kuwohi Trail, which is a is a one-mile out-and-back paved trail leading to the observation tower from the parking lot early during your visit to the park in case you end up with a cloudy day like I did. Unfortunately, we couldn't see anything from the observation tower, and if we had more time in the park it would've been great to come back and see the infamous panoramic views of the orange glow of the sun on the peaks. You cross the border into North Carolina to get to this trailhead!
Take a Scenic Hike
There are plenty of scenic hiking opportunities in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with something for every age and fitness level.
Some top trails to check out include the Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte, Rainbow Falls Trail, and Abrams Falls Trail. Abrams Falls is an 8 km roundtrip trek through rhododendron, hemlock and pine-oak forest that ends in a 7.6 meter high waterfall, offering a scenic route that only takes a couple of hours to complete.
For an easy, paved route, consider hiking to Kuwohi (formerly Clingman's Dome). This is a fairly easy 1.6 km walk, roundtrip, from the parking lot. Although paved, the route is on an incline and parts are steep as you walk up to the observation tour. The payoff is great with panoramic views rewarding this short but scenic walk.
Drive The Foothills Parkway
Especially beautiful in autumn when fall foliage is at its peak, driving the Foothills Parkway is a great way to take in the mountain views of the smokies while visiting the park. Congress authorized the Foothills Parkway as a scenic parkway in 1944. This is a 72-mile corridor currently only has three segments totaling, 22.5 miles, that are open and drivable for visitors.
Watch the Sunset at Morton Overlook
Ben Morton Overlook (Morton Overlook) is the perfect destination for sunset views in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Located on Newfound Gap Road, the overlook boasts west-facing sunset views of the park that can draw a crowd. Get here early to claim your parking spot and bring some snacks to enjoy a scenic sunset over the mountains. Always pack out your trash and be aware of black bears frequenting this area.
Best Restaurants In The Smokies
The towns bordering Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg and Townsend, are full of delicious dining options. From local liquors to dishes made with fresh local ingredients, you will get a real taste of the Smokies at these restaurants near the national park.
Howard's Restaurant, Gatlinburg, TN
Howard's is the oldest restaurant in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, so naturally, it's worth checking out. We dined on the outdoor patio beside the stream which offers a beautiful, peaceful atmosphere and is also dog-friendly. This steakhouse has been serving up Tennessee favourites since 1946 and has classic bbq options like pulled pork, ribs, smoky mountain trout available in addition to a variety of steaks and southern sides.
Address: 976 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, United States
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 11:00 am to 9:00 pm, Friday and Saturday, 11:00 am to 10:00 pm, Sunday, 10:30 am to 9:00 pm
Peaceful Side Social, Townsend, TN
Peaceful Side Social is a Townsend favourite where you order at the counter and sit down inside or on the charming patio to dine in a casual atmosphere. We sat at the picnic tables under the twinkling patio lights as the sun went down and enjoyed their Fig & Pear pizza with some Peaceful Side craft beer.
Address: 7967 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN 37882, United States
Hours: Sunday to Wednesday, 11:00 am to 8:00 pm, Thursday to Saturday, 11:00 am to 9:00 pm
Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro, Townsend, TN
Marketed as the place to experience award-winning Appalachian cuisine on the Peacefulside of the Smokies, I can attest that the food and service at Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro is truly top notch. This Farm-to-Table restaurant has a rotating menu of locally inspired dishes that are served in a quiet, romantic atmosphere, perfect for a date night or celebratory event. Fresh, local and seasonal ingredients make you feel in tune with the nature surrounding this beautiful property.
Address: 7140 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN 37882, United States
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Company Distilling, Townsend, TN
You can't come to Tennessee and not learn about Tennessee Whiskey. Company Distilling in Townsend offers the perfect opportunity to do just that, right outside the Cades Cove entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. One of Company Distilling's founding partners, Jeff Arnett, was kind enough to take us through a whiskey tasting, learning about the aging process and unique flavour notes of each one. Even if you're not a huge whiskey fan, or if you're the designated driver of your group, the Bar Menu here is fantastic. We had the meatball sliders and absolutely loved them!
Address: 8351 TN-73, Townsend, TN 37882, United States
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00 am to 8:00 pm
Tips For Visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Planning a trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a great way to see some incredible wildlife and sample delicious local cuisine in Tennessee. However, because this is America's most visited national park, you'll need to do some careful itinerizing to maximize your time there.
Stay in Townsend, TN, near the Cades Cove entrance to the park if you want to see bears on the Cades Cove loop. This allows you to beat the traffic jams by arriving at the park entrance earlier than people staying in Gatlinburg.
Visit in off-peak seasons and times of day to avoid crowds. The traffic jams in this park are no joke, and nobody wants to spend their holiday stuck in the car. For that reason, I recommend planning your visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the shoulder season (spring or early fall, before peak foliage, or late fall, after peak foliage. Start your mornings early while there to beat crowds to the entrance and trailheads.
Plan for traffic by always having your gas tank full and bringing snacks and water with you in the car.
Practice bear safety. There are an abundance of black bears in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so be cautious. Never approach a wild animal or try to take photos with it. Keep your distance and store food at campsites in the bear-safe lockers.
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