I recently learned that the Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited U.S. National Park. I find this statistic fascinating, as I would’ve guessed parks like the Grand Canyon would get more visitors in any given year than the Smoky Mountains. However, the Smoky Mountains gets more than double the number of visitors per year as parks like the Grand Canyon as it is free to enter and offers easy access from major cities like Knoxville, Atlanta, and Charlotte. Unlike more remote National Parks like Yellowstone, millions of people are within driving distance of Smoky Mountain tourist hubs like Gatlinburg, TN and Pigeon Forge, TN.
A quick trip to the Smoky Mountains had been on my bucket list for years—and I finally made the journey. If you’re looking to plan a long weekend escape, here’s what to know — from lodging choices to the best hikes.
Where to stay in the Smoky Mountains
You’ve probably seen tons of social media reels highlighting luxury cabins and Airbnb’s in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. While these getaway retreats look enticing, I urge you to carefully consider your needs when choosing where to stay. Most luxury cabin rentals in the area require long, windy drives up the mountains to access. If you’re short on time and get car sick like I do, you’re likely better off selecting a hotel in the area for quicker, more convenient access to the Smoky Mountains National Park.
While there’s no five star resorts in these areas, many newer hotels like Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort or Embassy Suites by Hilton Pigeon Forge Resort offer a comfortable, modern, and 4-star place to sleep. For a trip to the Smoky Mountains, convenience is really everything. Staying in Gatlinburg is ideal if you’re looking for walkability and a true mountain town feel. On the flip side, Pigeon Forge is a better choice if you prefer easy driving.
Smoky Mountain viewpoints and hikes
If you’re only visiting the area for a weekend or long weekend, you’re not going to have time to do every beautiful hike in this massive National Park. Instead, I recommend selecting a few that will give you the best views. On one morning of my trip, I set out early to head to Kuwohi (formerly known as Clingman’s Dome), which is also the highest point in the whole park at 6,643 feet.
Even though this hike is classified as “easy” — beware. While it is only half a mile, it is at a steep 13% incline for the entire hike. The entire path is paved but be prepared to huff and puff to make it up there. Once you do reach the top, the stunning, 360-degree panoramic views make it all worth it. I like to consider myself in good shape, but my legs were hurting for days after this so-called “easy” hike. If you’re staying in the Pigeon Forge area, the starting point for this hike can be reached in just about one hour.
If time allows, I also recommend checking out the Alum Cave Trail. This longer trail requires a much larger time commitment but has a pretty cool “cave” feature (hence it’s name). I’d allow for at least four to five hours to do the entire roundtrip hike. Like any major National Park, it’s always optimal to start early to ensure you can get a parking spot at the trailhead and hike when it’s coolest out. I did both of these hikes starting around 8 am, which allowed me the afternoons and evenings free to explore other attractions in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, like the Astra Lumina display at Anakeesta.
