When you go glamping, you don’t want to spend all your time hiking difficult trails. That’s why we’ve put together a list of 10 easy day hikes in Great Smoky Mountain National Park that are perfect for glampers!
These hikes are short and relatively easy, so you can take a leisurely stroll and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Smoky Mountains.
Most of these hikes also have a great view at the end, so you can relax with a picnic lunch after your hike.
Easy Smoky Mountains Day Hikes Under 2 Miles
Clingman’s Dome Lookout
- Length: 1.2 miles
- Est. Time: 42 minutes
- Rating: Easy
This hike is a short 1.2 miles, but it’s definitely worth it for the views at the end. You’ll get to see the Smoky Mountains in all their glory from Clingman’s Dome Lookout – the highest point in Tennessee.
Cataract Falls
- Length: 1.1 miles
- Est. Time: 28 minutes
- Rating: Easy
This hike is a little bit shorter than the Clingman’s Dome Lookout, at only a 1.1-mile round trip. You’ll get to see Cataract Falls and it’s an easy walk from the Sugarland Visitor’s Center.
This Smoky Mountains day hike is also accessible – the trail surface is cement, asphalt, wooden bridge (with rails), or packed dirt, with a minimum width of at least four feet.
Best Smoky Mountains Day Hikes Under 3 Miles
Laurel Falls
- Length: 2.4 miles
- Est. Time: 1 hour and 14 minutes
- Rating: Easy
The Laurel Falls Trail was constructed in 1932 to give firefighters access to the Cove Mountain region in the event of a forest fire. These days, it’s perhaps the most popular day hike in the entire Smoky Mountains National Park.
This 2.4-mile out-and-back trail will take you to the 80-foot Laurel Falls, one of the most photographed waterfalls in the park. The trail is well-maintained and easy to follow, making it a perfect hike for beginners or families.
If you’re visiting in the summer or on a weekend, get an early start as parking can be a nightmare!
Grotto Falls
- Length: 2.6 miles
- Est. Time: 1 hour and 25 minutes
- Rating: Moderate
The Grotto Falls Trail is a must-do for waterfall lovers. The trailhead can be found just off the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, and it’s a relatively easy hike of only 2.6 miles round trip.
Grotto Falls is a 25-foot waterfall that tumbles over a mossy cliff into a deep pool below. The falls are the perfect place to bring a picnic!
This is one of the most popular trails in the Smoky Mountains, so expect crowds on weekends.
Spruce Flats Falls
- Length: 1.8 miles
- Est. Time: 1 hour
- Rating: Moderate
This waterfall is a hidden gem in the Smoky Mountains National Park. The Spruce Flats Falls Trail is a moderate hike of just under two miles, and it’s well worth the effort.
The trailhead can be found at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont.
Spruce Flats Falls is a beautiful 60-foot waterfall that tumbles over a rocky cliff into a deep pool below. This is definitely one of the best waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains!
Moderate Smoky Mountains Day Hikes Under 5 Miles
Chimney Tops
- Length: 4.4 miles
- Est. Time: 2 hours and 42 minutes
- Rating: Hard
The Chimney Tops Trail is one of the most popular and challenging hikes in the Smoky Mountains. At just over four miles round-trip, it’s not a long hike, but it’s definitely steep and strenuous.
The trail takes you to the summit of Chimney Tops, a 1700-foot peak with stunning views of the Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s definitely worth the effort if you’re looking for a challenging hike!
Peregrine Peak via Alum Cave Bluff Trail
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- Length: 4.5 miles
- Est. Time: 2 hours and 36 minutes
- Rating: Moderate
The Alum Cave Bluff Trail is a moderate, four-mile hike that takes you to the top of Peregrine Peak. The trailhead can be found at the Alum Cave parking lot, and it’s one of the most popular Smoky Mountains day hikes.
The trail climbs over 1160 feet as it winds its way up to the peak, but you’re rewarded with some amazing views along the way. At the summit, you’ll find Peregrine Peak, which offers stunning 360-degree views of the park.
This hike is best attempted in late spring or early fall when temperatures are cooler.
Andrews Bald
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- Length: 3.6 miles
- Est. Time: 2 hours and 2 minutes
- Rating: Moderate
The Andrews Bald Trail is a moderate 3.6-mile hike that takes you to the summit of Andrews Bald, one of the highest peaks in the Smoky Mountains.
The trailhead can be found at the Clingmans Dome parking lot, and it’s an easy hike to follow. The bald is covered in beautiful grasses and wildflowers, and it offers stunning views of the surrounding Smoky Mountains.
Deep Creek Loop
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- Length: 4.9 miles
- Est. Time: 2 hours and 35 minutes
- Rating: Moderate
This moderate, 4.9-mile loop hike takes you through the Deep Creek area of the Smoky Mountains National Park. The trailhead can be found near Bryson City, and it’s a moderate hike to follow.
The Deep Creek Loop passes by several beautiful waterfalls, including Indian Creek Falls, Tom Branch Falls, and Juney Whank Falls. It’s a great hike for waterfall lovers!
Mouse Creek Falls via Big Creek
- Length: 4.9 miles
- Est. Time: 2 hours and 35 minutes
- Rating: Easy
This easy, four-mile hike takes you to the beautiful Mouse Creek Falls. The trailhead can be found near the Townsend Visitor Center, and it’s an easy hike to follow.
The hike follows Big Creek as it winds its way through the Smoky Mountains National Park. You’ll pass by several beautiful waterfalls and pools, including Mouse Creek Falls, which is a 45-foot waterfall that tumbles over a rocky cliff into a deep pool below.
This is definitely one of the best day hikes in the Smoky Mountains!
And there you have it: some of the best, easy Smoky Mountains day hikes! Be sure you pack a picnic to bring along with you + enjoy the views!
