3 Day Smoky Mountains Itinerary – A Perfect Family Friendly Trip
If you have three days in the Smoky Mountains you will be able to explore a lot of the highlights of the park and get to explore some of the fun spots around Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge. This itinerary has a fun mix of nature (waterfalls, epic views, sunsets and more!) and enjoying some of the fun parts of the nearby towns.
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Where to Stay in the Smoky Mountains:
For your three day itinerary in the Smoky Mountains, you will want to choose wisely where you stay! Depending on your priorities, certain spots are better than others. Because we had such a hard time deciding where to stay when we booked our trip, we created a guide to choosing where to stay in the Smoky Mountains – Pigeon Forge vs. Gatlinburg vs. Cherokee.
Day 1 of Your Three Day Itinerary for the Smoky Mountains
If you want to avoid crowds in the Smokies, I would highly suggest getting up and at ’em early to explore. Some areas of the park can get congested mid day, but we had a lot of success by getting up and moving early. You will also have a better chance of seeing bears if you explore early in the morning (and here are more things to know before visiting the Smoky Mountains)
The first day of this three day itinerary for the Great Smoky Mountains explores one of the most beautiful roads in the park, Newfound Gap road. You’ll explore some of the best spots from Gatlinburg to Cherokee!
Only have one day in the Smoky Mountains? We’ve got you covered with an action packed one day itinerary!
Stop #1: Sunrise at Newfound Gap Overlook
We loved starting the day with an epic drive up Newfound Gap road – our favorite scenic drive in the Smoky Mountains. If you’re staying in Gatlinburg, you’ll go in through the park entrance and head towards the Newfound Gap overlook. It’s a stunning place to see the sunrise. But the view is really cool regardless of if you visit at sunrise or not. The drive from Gatlinburg takes about 30-40 minutes and the drive from Cherokee takes about the same. Once you’re at the top there are a few different fun activities.
Newfound Gap Road can get busy during weekends or on the busy season. We didn’t have any issues with it visiting in October, but a ranger did tell us there is some congestion on the road.
Walk Along the Appalachian Trail
When you reach Newfound Gap Oconaluftee Overlook you can actually walk on part of the Appalachian Trail. We thought it was really cool to walk on part of the trail that so many people thru hike. We didn’t hike too far on the trail but we did get a tiny taste of the Appalachian Trail glory! The view isn’t anything spectacular here, but it’s worth taking a short walk so you can say you’ve done it.
Photo Opportunity: North Carolina and Tennessee State Line
Another fun activity you can do at Newfound Gap Overlook is to take a picture with the sign at the North Carolina and Tennessee State line. You can be in both states at the same time!
Stop #2: Visit Kuwohi – the Highest Point in Tennessee
Kuwohi (formerly Clingman’s Dome) is your next stop after Newfound Gap Overlook! To get to the overlook you will take a short, but steep, paved path to the top. The trail is about 1.3 miles roundtrip with 337 feet of elevation gain. From there you can see beautiful mountain views in all directions. We thought it was the best view in the park!
Kuwohi is the highest point in Tennessee and there is a significant temperature difference from the valley below to the top of the mountain. Make sure to bundle up so you aren’t miserable at the top.
TIP: There is a small visitor center at Kuwohi that you can stop in if you visit during normal hours. Kuwohi was one of our favorite things to do in the Smokies with kids.
If you want to flip flop stop number one and two that would also work. We chose this order for the stops because Kuwohi can be pretty dang chilly very early in the morning so letting the sun rise a little bit will help warm it up. Avoid making this mistake in the Smokies – our kids were too cold and we didn’t have as much fun as we could have here (but it was still one of our favorite stops)
Stop #3: Oconaluftee Visitor Center
If you don’t get to the visitor center at Kuwohi (or are looking for a bigger visitor center), head to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center.
It’s a great spot to talk to a ranger, get a National Parks passport stamp, and pick up some little souvenirs. Stopping at the visitor center is always one of our favorite things to do!
The Oconaluftee area is the “Southern Gateway” to the park, and is known for an elk herd that can make an appearance!
Stop #4: Mingo Falls
Mingo Falls (Big Bear Falls in Cherokee tradition) was one of our favorite family friendly hikes in the Smokies! It’s a beautiful waterfall that cascades down almost 200 feet. While it’s not technically inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it’s just outside in the town of Cherokee and was our favorite waterfall in the Smokies.
You can reach the top by climbing 161 stairs. It’s a short but steep trail, but definitely doable with kids.
Stop #5: Head Back to Sugarlands Valley
After walking up the stairs to Mingo Falls, make the drive back to the Sugarlands Valley. The drive is beautiful but can take about an hour (without traffic) so it’s a great time for the kids to get a little nap in.
We grabbed a quick breakfast in Cherokee to tide us over for the drive home at Mabel’s Kitchen. It’s a no frills kind of place that is attached to a gas station, but it’s quick and affordable which is just what we needed. Make sure to save some room for some Gatlinburg pancakes.
Enjoy a scenic overlook on the way back
Along the drive back there are several opportunities to enjoy scenic overlooks. Feel free to pull over and check out the views if you need to stretch your legs. A few popular overlooks are the Campbell Overlook, Webb Overlook or wherever you feel like stopping!
Stop #6: Get Your Pancake Fix
We took every opportunity we could to eat pancakes in Gatlinburg – they are famous for their pancakes!
Pancakes have a long history in the area starting in the early 20th century! It started as a hearty long lasting breakfast for loggers in the area. They wanted fuel that would keep them full for a long time – and pancakes were the natural choice. Since then, they have crafted some of the best pancakes we’ve ever had.
A few of our favorite pancake spots in Gatlinburg are:
- Crockett’s Breakfast – a great choice if not everyone in the group wants pancakes
- The Pancake Pantry (our number one choice for pancakes – but there will be a line!) This is also the first pancake restaurant in Tennessee.
- Log Cabin Pancake House – the pancakes here were great, the other breakfast options weren’t as delicious in our opinion
Stop #7: Watch Sunset at the Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook
If your kids aren’t completely wiped out by this point, you could head to see views of the Valley at sunset at the Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook for sunset.
This overlook has incredible views of the mountains and valley below. It’s also just a couple minutes outside of downtown Gatlinburg so you won’t have to spend a bunch more time in the car.
TIP: the parking lot is small, so consider going a bit before sunset.
Day 2 Smoky Mountains Itinerary:
For your second day in the Smoky Mountains, you’ll get to start with a hike and a scenic drive, eat some tasty pancakes, and end the evening at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg. Again, I would highly suggest getting up and moving early. Especially since this day features a scenic drive, you may encounter some traffic if you get a late start.
Stop #1: Noah Bud Ogle Place Trail
Start your morning by driving towards the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail and just before the start of the scenic drive, hike the Noah Bud Ogle Place Trail (or just check out the historic building if you’re not up for a hike). The cabin is a very short walk from the parking lot.
The homestead was built in the early 19th century and was the home for Bud, a farmer, and his wife, a midwife, and their 8 children.
The trail is 0.8 miles and has 75 feet of elevation. If you’re visiting in the fall, this is one of the best places to see fall colors in the park!
Tip: the ground is fairly uneven on this trail, if you’re looking for a stroller friendly trail or have mobility issues, this might not be the best trail for you. Check out our other easy hikes in the Smokies for more options!
Stop #2: Drive the Roaring Fork Motor Trail
After checking out the Noah Ogle Bud Cabin, get back in the car and enjoy one of the best scenic drives in the Smokies! The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a 5.5 mile one way paved drive through the beautiful forest.
It’s the perfect scenic drive to see fall colors and do a scenic drive that’s a bit less crowded than Cades Cove. The traffic can still be slow on this road because the road is narrow and the speed limit is very slow. But it felt less hectic than Cades Cove for us.
There are a few overlooks along the way where you can enjoy views of the surrounding mountains. It’s also a great place to see wildlife – we saw a black bear here!
Stop #3: Sugarlands Visitor Center
We can’t have a National Park adventure without checking out the visitor center, getting a passport, and buying a souvenir. We always get a magnet and usually a little stuffed animal for the kids.
The Sugarlands Visitor Center is really close to Gatlinburg and is pretty big! The parking lot is huge but it can fill up, if you just wait you should be able to find a spot to park since people don’t stay very long.
Bonus stop – if you’re looking for another little hike you can check out the hike to Cataract Falls. It leaves from the Visitor Center so you won’t have to worry about parking again. The trail is short and family friendly – it’s not a super impressive waterfall but still a fun place to explore.
Stop #4: Eat Pancakes
There’s nothing better after a morning of exploring than fueling up (again) with a famous Smoky Mountain staple – pancakes! Gatlinburg and the Smokies are known for their delicious pancakes and we can attest they are kid and adult approved.
Our favorite spot (and everyone else’s) is the Pancake Pantry. You will definitely have to wait in line to get in, but it’s worth it if you’re willing to wait.
Stop #5: Explore Anakeesta
This next stop is not part of the National Park but we LOVED IT! While we generally don’t love paying for experiences on our trip, Anakeesta is totally worth the money.
To get to the playground in the sky, you get to take a gondola up the mountain. At the top, you’ll have incredible views, fun food options, and even a treetop skywalk.
And we’ve got you covered with a full guide to Anakeesta if you want more information!
Smoky Mountains Itinerary – Day 3
Day three of the itinerary is a bit more leisurely but still has a lot packed in to explore. Your family will get to enjoy a peaceful morning in a less visited area of the park, a super tasty breakfast stop, and an evening in Pigeon Forge which the kids will love!
Day 3 – Stop #1: Explore Elkmont or Cosby
Spend the morning exploring one of two areas (your choice!) – Elkmont or Cosby. Both areas are similar in that they are less crowded and have some fun and beautiful areas to hike. Our personal preference would probably be Cosby, but both are great! And the Cosby area is a little farther drive.
Elkmont
Elkmont is another one of the best places to visit in the Smoky Mountains to escape the crowds! The Elkmont Nature Trail winds through the woods and has some beautiful fall colors and fun bridges on the trail.
Cosby
If you choose to explore Cosby, head that way early in the morning. If you need a little boost, stop at Bloom & Berry Coffee House on the way from Gatlinburg. Once you get to Cosby, hike the Cosby Nature Trail! This area of the park was the least crowded spot we visited and felt really peaceful.
Stop #2: Optional Additional Hike in Sugarlands
If you’re up for a little more time outside on your way back by Gatlinburg, check out the Sugarlands Nature Trail (0.5 miles, paved) or the Cataract Falls Trail (0.7 miles roundtrip). Neither trail is overly mind blowing, but both are fun places to spend a little more time outside with opportunities for wildlife viewing.
Note: both of these trails will probably be more crowded than a lot of trails in the park because of their close proximity to Gatlinburg and the Sugarlands Visitor Center.
Stop #3: Breakfast at Crockett’s Breakfast Camp
Enjoy a meal at one of the best breakfast spots in Gatlinburg. Crockett’s Breakfast Camp is a fun country themed spot that has really good food. Your delicious food is served alongside an old newspaper and we loved the vibe!
Stop #4: The Old Mill Area
We loved the Old Mill Area of Pigeon Forge for the food, the unique experiences, and the moonshine of course!
Grab dinner or lunch at the Old Mill Pottery House Cafe. This restaurant was recommended to us by so many people and it didn’t disappoint. You will likely have to wait for a table, but while you wait you can enjoy some of the nearby shops.
The Old Mill is a fun area to stroll around and look at shops. We also got to watch a blacksmith working at a random spot we walked by. Then we headed to a free moonshine tasting at Old Forge Distillery. This distillery had a much more laid back and less crowded feel compared to the spots in Gatlinburg.
Stop #5: The Island at Pigeon Forge
The Island at Pigeon Forge is definitely worth exploring if you’re visiting the Gatlinburg area. There is no admission fee to enter the Island and there are several free things to do there if you’re on a budget.
When we visited there were big dinosaur exhibits our kids loved and we really enjoyed the water show. You can also pay for rides and food if you want a more comprehensive experience there. We did pay for an experience on the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel – beautiful views from the top!
I hope you enjoy this 3 day Smoky Mountains itinerary. We had a blast on our trip to Tennessee and these are our favorite parts we had the privilege of enjoying.
One note, you might notice that this itinerary doesn’t include Cades Cove. We experienced a ton of traffic here, despite going early in the morning. While it was beautiful, we enjoyed our experience at some of these other places more. If you have a chance to bike Cades Cove, I would highly recommend doing that!
