Best Easy Hikes Near Gatlinburg
Great Smoky Mountains National Park starts right at the edge of Gatlinburg, so you don't have to drive far for a great walk in the woods. These are some of the best-known easy and family-friendly trails near town.
- Gatlinburg Trail: A gentle, mostly flat trail along the Little Pigeon River between the edge of Gatlinburg and Sugarlands Visitor Center. It's one of only two trails in the park where dogs on a leash are allowed.
- Cataract Falls: A short, easy walk from Sugarlands Visitor Center to a small waterfall. A great first hike for little ones.
- Fighting Creek Nature Trail: A short loop starting at Sugarlands Visitor Center, passing a creek and an old homestead cabin.
- Grotto Falls: On the Trillium Gap Trail off the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. It's the only waterfall in the park you can walk behind. The trail is moderate but popular with families. The Roaring Fork road closes in winter.
- Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome): A short but steep paved walk to an observation tower at the highest point in the park and in Tennessee. The road to the parking area is closed in winter.
- Cades Cove Nature Trail & loop stops: Cades Cove is best known as an 11-mile one-way loop road, but along the way there are short, easy walks to historic cabins, churches and the John Oliver Cabin, with frequent wildlife sightings.
Tips for easy hiking in the Smokies
- Start early: Popular trailheads fill up quickly, especially on weekends and in October.
- Bring water and layers: Weather at higher elevations can be much cooler than in town.
- Respect wildlife: This is bear country. Keep your distance and never feed bears or other wildlife.
Love waterfalls? See our full guide to waterfalls near Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge.
Trail conditions, closures and parking rules change. Check the National Park Service conditions page before you go. Parking anywhere in the park for more than 15 minutes requires a "Park It Forward" parking tag, which you can buy online or at visitor centers.