Smoky Mountain NP

Another easy but good hike is the nature trail behind the Sugarlands visitor center. It is through the woods and we often see deer and other animals there, yet it is an easy hike. The trail extends under the bridge there to Cataract Falls, another short but nice hike.

If you make it to the North Carolina side you would probably enjoy walking around the Farm Museum at the Oconaluftee Vistor Center. That was good as are the buildings and mills near the store on Cades Cove loop. The log cabins, churches and cemeteries along Cades Cove Loop are really interesting.

The Mingus Mill which is near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center is also worth a stop.

The Chimani Great Smoky Mountains app is a great resource with a lot of information, trails and maps. I have it on my iPhone but I used to have it on my Android phone before I switched.

1stgenfarmboy wrote:
Alum Cave trail will put you on a cool formation, "but" it is about 5 mile RT, if you could get mama up there 9 out of 10 times you can catch a glimps of the Peregrine Falcon that usually nests on the bluff.


What ever you do don't take the fun out of it, short hikes will make it a vacation for everybody.



My family are all moderate hikers, the last trip we all took together my kids were in there mid teens, I got us on a trail that was cool to me and the wife but a little to much for them, "16 miles RT" when one of them said it was too much like work we took a water break and turned around, No need for anyone to be unhappy on a vacation.

Excellent point. Keep it fun and tuned to the hiking limits of the group.

Alum Cave trail will put you on a cool formation, "but" it is about 5 mile RT, if you could get mama up there 9 out of 10 times you can catch a glimps of the Peregrine Falcon that usually nests on the bluff.


What ever you do don't take the fun out of it, short hikes will make it a vacation for everybody.



My family are all moderate hikers, the last trip we all took together my kids were in there mid teens, I got us on a trail that was cool to me and the wife but a little to much for them, "16 miles RT" when one of them said it was too much like work we took a water break and turned around, No need for anyone to be unhappy on a vacation.

kohldad wrote:
Some of the advice given will have you in the car for a good spell. So my question is where are you staying? Once I know that I'll give you a few pointers that will use your legs more than your butt.

We are staying in the KOA at Pigeon Forge. We like how much stuff they have for our kids to do while we are there.

We don't mind the drives and like the earlier poster said, we are probably good up to about 3 miles out and back. Last summer I got in trouble with pushing too hard at Yellowstone. I wanted to do Uncle Tom's Trail, but the lot next to it was closed, so we walked a mile to it, down and up, and a mile back. Oddly enough my lovely wife was not as impressed with the views as I was afterwards.

We like a good waterfall, love views, and animal sightings are a plus also. I teach science so a good rock formation here or there gets me going too. I sometimes like to shoot short video's on my phone to use back in class.

Thanks for all the advise. This has been really helpful.

Just announced on the news tonight is the road to Cades Cove will be repaved starting next week weather permitting. I have seen the loop around the cove bumper to bumper for all 11 mile of it depending on time of season.

Yes Andrews Bald is a nice shorter trail, my 7yr old granddaughter went to the bald and back a couple years ago.

There are some really good trails off of Cades Cove road. Abrams Falls is a great hike as is Rich Mountain Loop Trail. Other good ones are Smokemont Loop, Cucumber Gap Loop, Andrews Bald (up near Clingman's Dome), and Alum Cave/Mount Le Conte Trail (at least up to Alum Cave). Lots more but these are some of the highlights.

He mentioned they are not long distance hikers, I gave my advice with this in mind, Even Chimney tops is a tough trail for non hikers.

Some of the advice given will have you in the car for a good spell. So my question is where are you staying? Once I know that I'll give you a few pointers that will use your legs more than your butt.

We have gone down to the SMNP every year we have been married at least one time a year ( 31 ) and sometimes two times.

When our kid were that age we hiked stuff less than 3 miles RT, anything over and you loose the magic.

they always loved car touring though, there are some really nice places to drive too or almost too the good stuff.

stop at the Sugarlands visitors center to make sure the things on your list are open.


1. 10 miles up the BRP is Heintogga Ridge RD ---A must do as Elk are regularly seen on the road, and the picnic spot at the end is super awesome, take a lunch this day.

2. right off the turn around at the end of Heintogga rd is Balsm Mountain rd, a 22 mile one way old rail road bed that takes you back to Cherokee, very cool to be in the heart of the mountains in your car.

3. Cataloochee Valley---A must in the evening time as the Elk come out to graze on the fields and it is just flat out cool in that valley.

4. already mentioned Max Patch is a great place for 360* views, head on to Hot Springs and eat at the Smoky Mountain Diner, it on the Appalachain Trail.

5. Oconaluftee visitors center.

6. Cades Cove, make sure to go as early as you can because in the middle of the day it can be bumper to bumper.

7. Greenbrier Rd is a good place to get away from the people and play in the creek or drive down Ramsey prong.

8. Newfound Gap.

9. Abrams falls just before the visitors center/mill in Cades cove is a short hike to a nice fall.


your key word inside the park, I kept everything inside the park.

The Cherohala Skyway is a really nice road outside the park that maybe you can get to before you leave or on a rainy day.



Dar