Catherine - Savvy Family TravelTraveling with kids, we are always looking for easy hikes with big rewards and we found no shortage of these in the Smokies.
If you want a laid-back way to soak up those mountain views, you’ll enjoy your list of the best easy hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains, from waterfalls, to riverside strolls, to valleys filled with wildflowers.
Read to the end for a suggested Smoky Mountains itinerary.
Easy Hiking Trails in the Smoky Mountains
Getting Started in the Park
Before you lace up your boots for these easy hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains, there are a few things you need to know to make your trip smoother.
Useful Information
- The park is free! Unlike many national parks, there is no entrance fee. (Other than the parking tag.)
- Parking tag required: A daily parking tag is $5, a weekly pass is $15, and an annual pass is $40. You must display one if you park anywhere inside the park.
- Trail & Road Closures: Some trails and viewpoints, like Kuwohi, are closed in winter due to snow and ice. Always check park alerts before heading out.
- Junior Ranger Program: The cost is $4.50 per booklet, and it’s a great way for kids (or adults!) to learn more about the park and earn a badge.
- Park Maps: Basic maps are available for free, but a more detailed unigrid brochure can be purchased for $1 at visitor centers. I collect the park unigrids so I had to make this purchase
- Cell reception is slim to none, depending on which section of the park you’re in. Be sure to download any maps offline before you go.
Welcome Center
(Not an Official Visitor Center, but it is still useful in saving you time.)
This is where you’ll want to stop first to grab maps, chat with knowledgeable park experts, and get your required parking tag. Trust me, you’ll need one—parking tags are mandatory at all lots and pull-offs inside the park. A daily tag costs $5, but if you’re staying longer, go for the $15 weekly pass.
If you have kids (or just enjoy collecting fun badges), pick up the Junior Ranger Program for $4.50. One booklet works for the whole family, so everyone can earn their badge together.
We were glad to have picked up everything we needed at the Welcome Center because the Sugarlands Visitor Center had absolutely no parking and was gridlocked with cars waiting for one.
Sugarlands Visitor Center Parking Hack
If you’re planning to start your day at Sugarlands Visitor Center, be prepared for a parking battle, especially if you arrive mid-morning. (It eases up later in the day.)
A little secret? Take Park Headquarters Road along the back to find an overflow lot—it’s right next to the Gatlinburg Trail, making it a perfect way to ease into your hiking day and the stress of a crowded lot. The Visitor Center and Cataract falls are easily walkable from here.
Best Easy Hiking Trails in the Smoky Mountains
Whether you’re looking for waterfalls, scenic forest walks, or a chance to spot wildlife, these trails offer an easygoing way to explore the Smokies without feeling like you’re climbing Everest.
Waterfall Trails
Laurel Falls Trail
2.6 miles roundtrip, paved, out-and-back, easy. Leads to an 80-foot waterfall. Extremely popular, so go early! (Bonus: It’s stroller-friendly.)
Cataract Falls
0.75 miles roundtrip, dirt path, out-and-back, as easy as it gets. A very short and accessible trail near Sugarlands Visitor Center, perfect for families with young kids.
Grotto Falls Trail
2.6 miles roundtrip, dirt path, out-and-back, moderate. The only trail where you can walk behind a waterfall. Check road conditions before going, because if the road to the closer trailhead is closed, it turns this into a 7 mile hike.
The waterfall here is smaller, but the waterfall pool is a perfect place for kids to splash around.
Mingo Falls
0.4 miles roundtrip, dirt steps, out-and-back, moderate. A short but steep walk to one of the tallest waterfalls in the Smokies.
This waterfall is on the southern edge of the park, about 1 hour 15 minutes drive from the Gatlinburg area.
Buckeye Trail to Spruce Flats Falls
For some reason you won’t find this on the official park map or park books. But its trailhead is found at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont Visitors Center.
This trail is about 1.8 miles roundtrip, out and back, dirt trail with lots of rocks, moderate. While the trail required a lot of focus, I noticed the challenge was great for keeping my 4 and 7 year olds engaged and not complaining like they did on the flat trails that were less than a mile.
Baskins Creek Falls
3.0 miles roundtrip, dirt path, out-and-back, moderate. A quieter trail with a gorgeous cascading waterfall.
Indian Creek Falls & Tom Branch Falls
1.6 miles roundtrip, dirt path, loop, easy. Located in Deep Creek, this hike gives you two waterfalls for the price of one.
Scenic & Historic Easy Hiking Trails in the Smoky Mountains
Gatlinburg Trail
3.8 miles roundtrip, dirt and gravel, out-and-back, easy. One of the only pet-friendly trails, following the Little Pigeon River.
You can actually start this trail from the edge of Gatlinburg’s main strip. Turn around whenever you’d like!
Elkmont Nature Trail
0.8 miles roundtrip, dirt path, loop, easy. A peaceful, historic area with abandoned cabins from an old resort town.
Cove Hardwood Nature Trail
0.8 miles roundtrip, dirt path, loop, easy. Stunning spring wildflowers make this trail a must-see.
Sugarlands Nature Trail
0.5 miles roundtrip, paved, loop, easy. Fully accessible, featuring historical ruins and lush forest views.
Breathtaking Mountain & Forest Trails
Kiwohi Trail (formerly Clingmans Dome)
1.0 mile roundtrip, paved, out-and-back, moderate. Short but steep climb to the highest point in the Smokies with a panoramic view.
Fighting Creek Nature Trail
1.0 mile roundtrip, dirt path, loop, easy. Features an old cabin and diverse plant life.
Little River Trail
4.9 miles roundtrip, dirt path, out-and-back, easy. A peaceful stroll following a gently flowing river.
We walked up the river about .75 miles, exploring little offshoots, then turned around. The kids loved wading in the calmer streams.
Oconaluftee River Trail
This one is the longest of the easy hiking trails in the smoky mountains on this list. 3.0 miles roundtrip, dirt path, out-and-back, easy. A riverside hike with chances to spot elk grazing.
Spotting Black Bears in the Smoky Mountains
Depending on the time of year, your chances of seeing a black bear vary. We visited in early spring and were told most bears were still tucked away in their dens. But luck was on our side—we saw one foraging for acorns near Maloney Point!
Even on the easy hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains, you may get a chance to see a bear if your group is quiet.
Cades Cove: The Best Spot for Bear Sightings
Scenic Loop
The 11-mile scenic loop through Cades Cove is one of the best places to see bears. Even if you don’t spot one, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic mountain views, open pastures, and well-preserved historic buildings from the 1800s.
If you’re travel party enjoys cycling, hit the loop early on a Wednesday or Saturday morning when the loop is closed to any motor traffic to allow cyclists to explore. Bike rentals are available nearby.
Cades Cove Visitor Center
Definitely stop at the Cades Cove Visitor Center to stamp your passport book and check out the largest collection of preserved structures from the 1800s in the park.
Recommended 3-Day Smoky Mountains Itinerary
Not sure how to fit in as much as possible? Here’s a simple but adventure-packed Smoky Mountains itinerary to help you experience the best easy hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains in just three days.
A few days in the park is the perfect add on to a Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg stay.
Day 1: Waterfalls & Scenic Drives
If you’re coming from Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, Tennesee
- Stop at the Welcome Center south of Pigeon Forge for maps and a parking tag.
- Hike Laurel Falls Trail early before crowds hit.
- Drive the scenic loop through Cades Cove for wildlife spotting and historic buildings.
- If you have time, hit the moderately challenging Buckeye Trail to Spruce Flats Falls.
If you’re coming from Whittier/Cherokee, North Carolina
- Pickup park maps and a parking tag at Oconaluftee Visitor Center.
- Walk the Oconaluftee River Trail to see if the elk are out.
- Mingo Falls
- Tom Branch Falls
Day 2: Iconic Peaks & River Trails
- Start with a morning hike up to Kuwohi for sweeping views.
- Take a relaxing stroll along Little River Trail.
- Stop at Maloney Point (you never know—you might see a bear in the ravine like we did!).
- If you have time, take the family-friendly loop at Cove Hardwood Nature Trail.
Day 3: More Waterfalls & Hidden Gems
- Kick off with a hike to Grotto Falls—bonus points for walking behind the waterfall.
- Explore the historic Elkmont Nature Trail or the Sugarlands Nature Trail
- Baskins Creek Falls
- End the day with an easy walk to Cataract Falls and explore some of the Gatlinburg Trail.
Closing thoughts on Easy Hiking Trails in the Smoky Mountains
Whether you’re trekking with kids, hoping to spot a black bear, or just looking for a peaceful nature escape, there’s a trail for you.
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