The city where Dolly is cherished for sure. They have a statue here of Ms. Dolly Parton playing her…read moreguitar. Such a nice little city tucked in with the Smoky Mountains in view. Lots of tourist traffic passes by. A must town to just stop, take in the views and walk into a local shop...and enjoy the day.

Nice, clean, park for good family fun. Found at the last minute to enjoy during vacation.read more

Grotto Falls was such a fun family adventure! We hiked it with our three kids, and everyone had a…read moregreat time. The trail was beautiful, the waterfall was awesome, and the kids did surprisingly well on the hike! And we got a bonus Smoky Mountain experience before we even reached the trailhead and we saw a mama bear with her cubs along the drive! Talk about setting the tone for the day! Beautiful scenery, a fun hike, and memories the whole family will be talking about. Definitely one of our favorite adventures in the Smokies!

Grotto Falls is a beautiful hike and definitely worth seeing. Walking behind the waterfall is a…read moreunique experience, and the trail is shaded with gorgeous scenery along the way. The biggest challenge is getting there. There are only about 10 parking spots on a one-way road, with very few pull-off areas along the entire route. We actually drove there twice and couldn't find parking either time. We ended up having one person drop us off and pick us up later at an agreed-upon time since cell phone reception on the trail was very spotty. The hike to the falls is mostly uphill for about 1 mile, and I had to take several breaks. I wouldn't consider it toddler-friendly. The hike back is much easier since it's downhill, but you still need to be careful. The trail is full of roots, rocks, and slippery terrain that blend into the dirt, making it easy to slip, trip, or twist an ankle. One member of our group was injured, so I highly recommend wearing quality hiking boots with good traction and ankle support. Despite the parking challenges and moderately difficult hike, the waterfall is beautiful and worth the effort if you're prepared and arrive early.

The Gatlinburg Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is wide, mostly level, and…read morestunning. Flanked by forest and the river, the trail is lushly green with the sound of water flowing over rocks as you meander. When we were there, there in April we passed by several people on the trail so it doesn't feel too remote. If it's your first day at the park, this trail is a great way to begin your adventures. It will take you to the national park visitor's center where you can get more info (and souvenirs). We didn't take the full trail but what we did, we loved. Get to it!

Today was our 3rd time walking the Gatlinburg Trail (April, 2025; Sept, 2023; and some earlier…read moredate!) It's a wide, two-mile trail along the Pigeon River, that connects the Great Smokies Sugarland Visitors Center with the town of Gatlinburg. In each case, we walked both directions to make it about a 4.0 mile "hike." It's more-or-less flat, with a total elevation change of about 180', with one hill in the middle. The trail is mostly, but not completely, shaded. The trail is very popular, so you'll see quite a few people, which also makes it impossible to get lost. There are families with strollers and young kids; people walking dogs on leashes; older couples (like us)! It seems that we see something new every time. In Sept, 2023, we saw a bear on the riverbank on the side across the river near the footbridge. Today, we saw an eastern garten snake (nonvenomous) on the trail. We also discovered an old cemetery that was in plain sight but we had somehow missed during earlier visits. Two recommendations to make the trail even better: (1) more benches. There is one bench that was relatively close to the Gatlinburg entrance, but only rocks or tree stumps to sit on until you reach the Visitors Center. (2) more mileage marker signs. And, a TIP. Parking can be a challenge. You can park at the large lot at the National Park Service (NPS) Sugarland Visitors Center or in one of the few parking spaces near the Gatlinburg entrance to the trail. In either case, you need to display a NPS parking pass ($5). Most recently, in April 2025, when we arrived around 11 am on a Monday, these areas were packed with dozens of cars circling and looking for a spot. We ended up parking in an expensive private lot near the Gatlinburg entrance to the trail -- $20 for parking until 2 am. Shorter durations were not available.

Some great trails to hike or ride mountain bike on. Quite close to town and yet you feel much…read morefurther away.

I'm writing this review as an outsider, not from TN. I was hoping to enjoy more of this beautifully…read moregreen state and I was half satisfied and half disappointed with the trail in this location of I.C. King Park, which is why I gave this hiking venue a three star review. I took off two stars because the map of the hiking trail is so inaccurate (or, at least, unreadable). I took a picture of the map before starting my hike (I've uploaded it here) for reference as I hiked but it didn't help at all. At first I followed the rock covered road that heads up from the parking lot and veers off to the right. But soon I was disappointed by a dead end. So I headed back to the junction with the main rock covered road, which eventually runs parallel to the dog parks, and continued down the path to the next narrow, dirt trail and tree opening on the right that I thought was the trail as indicated on the map. This turned out to be a beautifully charming green and lush path, replete with enthralling cicada singing, delightful birdsong and gentle inclines and declines which made for an interesting hike. This continued for about a mile and a quarter until I came to an intersection. According to the map, I should have been at a T-intersection, but what I saw was a full on crossroads. I walked a ways down each path to see if any was a dead end but each seemed to be a legitimate trail. Since I wasn't sure which way to go, I headed back to my car. I was concerned my two mile (or so) hike may turn into a five mile (or so) hike and I wasn't prepared for that. I saw only one other party of two bikers heading up the path when I was heading back. This was both reassuring (that I saw other people) and concerning (that I saw only one other group in the hour I was on the trail). Anyway, if you have time to explore, the trail seemed to be well maintained so there is hardly any worry that you'll wander off it (except maybe a false start, like me). And it truly is a beautiful walk in the forest. But the trails seriously lack any kind of markings or signage whatsoever, so be prepared with alternative trails maps or time to wander and explore.

Great hiking trail for all ages. About a mile and a half up to the historic barn attraction…read more Great views of the mountain stream that runs alongside the trail. This is one of my favorite easy, family friendly trails to hike on.

This was probably one of our favorite hikes during our vacation to GSMNP. The trail itself is…read morelocated in Greenbrier at the end of a long gravel road. What this means for you, is that this trail isn't as crowded as most others in the park! Porters Creek is about 4 miles roundtrip with Fern Branch Falls being the turn around point. You can continue on the trail another 1.5-2 miles after that but it just leads you to a campground. The trail is rated as moderate but we found the first mile to be fairly easy. The second mile was more uphill and rocky with a lot of tree roots to compete with. The first mile of the hike runs along Porters Creek and the gravel/dirt trail is wide. Along the way you will see several historic points of interest. First stop is The Owenby Cemetery which dates from the early 20th century. You will also pass the John Messer Barn built in 1875 and the Smoky Mountain Hiking Club Cabin built around 1934. If you do this hike, take some time to explore these places. They were pretty cool! During the second mile, the trail narrows some as you start heading uphill. The forest becomes a little more dense and you really have to start watching your footing. At the turn around point, you'll see Fern Branch Falls. This waterfall is about 40-50 feet up from the trail and it was pretty cool watching it trickle down the side of the mountain. It's no where as big as say Abrams Falls but it is still impressive in its own right. Porters Creek trail was a nice change of pace. If you are looking to get away from the crowds, this might be the perfect trail for you. We saw maybe a total of 10 people during our 4 mile hike. Beautiful hike!

This is a very remote property located along the Little Brier Gap Trail, about 1.5 miles from the…read moreLittle Greenbrier School. It is only accessible by foot. The site contains a house, corn crib or barn and springhouse built in the mid-1800s. The buildings are the last remnants of the Little Greenbrier Community and were occupied by the Walker Sisters until the 1960s. Although the hike to the property is fairly easy, this spot does not attract as many visitors as others in the park and as a pleasant result you can find more solitude and tranquility here than other places you may visit. It is hard to imagine what life must have been like for the women who lived here. A tour of the interior of the house will leave those of us used to creature comforts thankful for all we take for granted. The grounds provide ample spots for taking a break, stretching out and relaxing. There are no restrooms, water stations or amenities of any kind available here. The hike to the Walker Sisters Place for the most part follows an old road and is easy to navigate. Just before the turn to the property, a narrow footbridge allows you to cross the stream. The sounds of running water, scurrying critters and the leaves rustling in the wind can make you forget that just a few miles away there is a park road teeming with traffic and other visitors. We hiked after lunch and it made for a perfect afternoon. We met a few people on the trail as we hiked in, but there were only three or four other people at the house when we arrived. This is a great family hike. We managed well with a 3 and 5 year old, although some piggy back rides were needed on the return trip.

Great hike in a wonderful location that still keeps you close to civilization. Many other places…read morethroughout the park offer incredible experiences but if you are looking for a short trek that full of beauty and history this is a hike worth taking.

Cades Cove came highly recommended by a TN local I met at Denver International Airport, and I'm so…read moregrateful to have made the decision to visit. It took a little over an hour to drive from Gatlinburg, and 4.5hours to drive the area (with several stops natch!). It is free to just drive the loop, but buying a $5 parking pass (payable by cash or card at the ranger station or credit card kiosks) is well worth it if you plan to stop at the historic sites, explore the trails, visit the cemetery, or enjoy a picnic in the park. I arrived early in the morning and was only able to spot a flock of wild turkey but I mostly enjoyed the quieter roads, fewer crowds, and freedom to explore at my own pace. My rental SUV handled the single lane loop just fine, and I didn't notice any sedans having trouble navigating the "hills" either. Definitely suggest to get an early start to enjoy a more peaceful experience and allow plenty of time for stops. I'd love to return during a different season, with hopes to spot Smoky the Bear.

Saw a black bear at the top of a tree here that held up traffic for a bit, but the staff was quick…read moreto come clear everyone out. A beautiful scenic 11-mile loop. Driving took us about 2 hours, maybe less. It could also take more if you stop a lot to see everything. We only made one stop at one of the churches. We also saw more wild turkeys. The loop is closed on Wednesday for cars so they can open it for walkers and bicycles.

Great city park! Clean, lots to do at the park. Nice clean bathrooms, paved walking trail around…read morewhole park. Great place for families or just to enjoy the outdoors! Twin Creek trailhead is just up the road and is a beautiful walk through the woods.

This is a beautiful park, especially in October with the trees and their colorful leaves. Our…read morefriend is able to walk her dog here. We explored under the pavilion, and down by the water. We didn't use the 6 tennis courts or dance under the pavillion, but we did use the bathrooms. Husband said his was fine. Ours had a defective paper towel dispenser, but a working blower. We had soap, toilet paper, and the toilets flushed. Perfect! We also walked by the clubhouse. They have a water fountain to fill bottles! If you are lucky, you'll also see butterflies & bees in the flowers nearby. This would be a lovely place to picnic. We'll be back to do just that!