How To Spend 5 Days in The Great Smoky Mountains Itinerary

Do you have a goal to visit all of the National Parks? Maybe you’re on the East Coast and want a fun, family-friendly, but adventurous vacation. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park area is open year-round and will be the perfect long weekend option! This Great Smoky Mountains itinerary is built for families traveling to the park together; while some children are more adventurous than others, we found this to be the perfect mix.

The Great Smoky Mountains span from Tennessee to North Carolina. At over 800 square miles, this mountain range covers a lot of space and offers various things to do across both states. It’s also the most visited national park in the country, and for good reason! With over 13 million guests per year, the second most visited national park in the United States is fairly far behind with only 5 million.  

In this post, I will provide all the details you need to plan a five-day trip to the Great Smoky Mountains near Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. 

Whether you are coming from a very flat state like me (looking at you, Florida!) and are looking for hikes with beautiful views, or maybe you are on a missing to hit as many theme parks as possible, you should add the Great Smoky Mountains to your family bucket list. 

The Best Itinerary for 5 Days in The Great Smoky Mountains

How To Get To The Great Smoky Mountains

The Great Smoky Mountains itinerary will be slightly dictated by how you arrive in Tennessee. You will likely drive or fly depending on where you are coming from. 

If you are driving, The Great Smoky Mountains are less than a 10-hour drive from nearly half of the country. Granted, not all families enjoy a road trip, so flying into a nearby airport and renting a car may be a better option. Personally, we found that renting a van nearby in Jacksonville, Florida, instead of using our own car and driving was the best option for us. Depending on your direction, you may also drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is a beautiful ride into the mountains. 

If you are flying, look into flights from a few different airports, and compare rental car prices as well! You may also consider flying into another major hub to explore the area before making your way to the smokies. 

• McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) is the nearest airport at 30 miles away
• Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is a regional airport at 60 miles away
• Chattanooga Airport (CHA) is a a major airport at 130 miles away 

When to Visit

The Great Smoky Mountains has it’s perks year-round, but the best times to visit are during the spring and fall. Spring offers nice weather, with blooming wildflowers and warmer hiking, while fall showcases the stunning foliage of changing leaves. Summer months and early November can be quite busy with tourists, and winter brings colder temperatures and occasional snow, but each season has its own unique appeal.

We opted to travel in May and found the daytime temperature to be perfect. We started our hikes early morning (around 7:30 a.m.) and needed jackets, but we usually took them off halfway through the hike. The highest daily temperatures were in the high 70s, and lows were in the mid-50s. I think we would have been slightly uncomfortable during some of our activities if it was peak summer, and definitely not fans in the winter. 

What to Do

Hiking, exploring, and scenic road are just a few of the many activities to enjoy in the Great Smoky Mountains. The area is known for its diverse wildlife, historic landmarks, and vibrant experiences while being extremely family-friendly. We had a long list of ideas heading into our vacation, and while we could have used another day to do a bit more, we were able to experience most of what the Smokies had to offer. 

Dollywood and Anakeesta

Theme parks. Dollywood is a great traditional theme park option, while Anakeesta and Ober Mountain offer a theme park atmosphere with a Great Smoky Mountain vibe. We also had a wonderful day at Anakeesta and returned for their Astra Lumina experience. I’ll share an entire post on our experience! You will be sure to have a great time at any of the theme parks. 

Hikes. There is no shortage of hikes in this National Park, though the majority seem to be too adventurous for a family with younger kids. We looked at around 15 hikes and narrowed it down to two of the best hikes that were family-friendly hikes for our group. 

1. Peregrine Peak via Alum Cave Trail. This 4.5-mile out-and-back trail is listed as moderately challenging on All Trails, but we found it to be mostly easy. There are a few skinny walkways, a small cave to walk through, and a few steep steps, but overall, it was perfect with a 1-year-old and a 6-year-old. It took us around 3 hours to complete, with a 20-minute break at the top. We slowed down a bit as we got to higher elevations, but it was very manageable! You could also continue towards Mount Leconte (the second highest peak in) if you wanted to extend the hike. I highly recommend this hike on a clear day! 
2. Grotto Falls. This is a 2.6-mile out-and-back trail. It is also considered moderately challenging on All Trails, but we enjoyed it and didn’t find it too difficult. If you want to extend the hike, you could continue toward the peak. It should take around 1.5 hours to complete. 
3. Laurel Falls. One of the most popular in the Great Smoky Mountains is an easy, short hike at 1.3 miles out-and-back. With a beautiful 80-foot waterfall at the end and a swimming area if it’s warm enough, this hike takes around 1 hour and is great for the entire family. 
4. Cataract Falls is a half mile one way or 1-mile out-and-back trail perfect for the entire family. 
5. Appalachian Trail. 72 miles of the AT will take you through the Great Smoky Mountains. 
6. Rainbow Falls. This is a 5-mile out-and-back trail. It’s a moderately challenging hike that leads to a beautiful waterfall. It’s also right near Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, where you are likely to see a few log cabins and historic buildings. 
7. Chimney Tops trail. This is a 3.6-mile out-and-back trail and is slightly challenging so it might not be the best option with younger kids, but the views are amazing! 
8. In Cades Cove, make your way to Little River Road and hike to Megis Falls for a beautiful view of the waterfall and a nice stretch. You can also continue onto Laurel Creek Road for more sightseeing. 
9. If you are visiting the Great Smoky Mountains from North Carolina, look into the Deep Creek area. There are many hiking trails, mountain biking options, picnic areas and multiple waterfalls. I suggest starting with the Deep Creek waterfalls loop. 

Scenic Drives and Overlooks are not to be missed while in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. If you are content in the car and want to see amazing views, I highly recommend driving around for a few hours to see all the places listed below. 

1. Mortons Overlook via Newfound Gap Road (which is worth a drive itself!) was the perfect spot for sunset. Get there early if you want the best chance to park at the overlook, as it’s a popular spot. You could also stop to see the views at Newfound Gap Overlook. 
2. Clingmans Dome and Observation Tower are the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains. Known for the views, and paved (but steep!) trail, you can see multiple states from the viewpoint.
3. Cades Cove is a 11-mile loop road in a valley surrounded by mountains with multiple stopping points throughout. Keep in mind that the main road is only open to walkers and bikers on Wednesdays. During your journey you can visit Grist Mill, hike to Abrams Falls, see historic structures, and all of the scenic views. Keep an eye on the road though, Cades Cove Loop Road is prone to traffic jams since it’s only a one way road. You will find many parking spot along the way if you want to pull over a bit or wait for fewer crowds. It’s likely you will have multiple stops for wildlife viewing of bears, horses, birds and other animals. 
4. Little River Gorge Road is a beautiful drive from the Sugarlands Visitor Center through the mountains and tunnels, with views of historical buildings and overlooks. 

Experiences. Depending on where you focus your time, I recommend looking into activities in both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge (more on the difference below!). You will find something for everyone in both locations! Gatlinburg Skypark, horseback riding, fly-fishing, mountain coaster, putt-putt (including Hilbilly Putt Putt on the side of a mountain), Ripley’s Aquarium, the Titanic Museum and more. 

Drinking. When you think of the smokies, you are likely to also think of moonshine, and there is no shortage of these parts! Ole Smoky, Sugarlands Distilling Co., and Tennesse Shine Co., to name a few, are all located within a few minutes of each other. Look into a moonshine tour if this is something you are interested in! 

Visit the Visitor’s Centers to have your National Park Passports stamped! Sugarlands Visitor Center was near downtown Gatlinburg, so that was our easiest stop. We also picked up our park pass from the machines in the parking area. You could also visit the Oconaluftee visitor center. Each location has a picnic area, a rest stop, and a gift shop.  

Visit the Mountain Farm Museum site which has a log cabin, and is near the Oconaluftee River Trail which is one of two pet-friendly walks in the park. 

Look for black bears! We saw one per day on our trip and always had our eyes on, especially while hiking. They were unafraid, so it’s helpful to be aware. 

Where to Stay in the Great Smoky Mountains

Accommodation options in the Great Smoky Mountains range from cozy cabins to luxury resorts. For a more authentic experience, or if you are traveling with a group, staying in a cabin within the park can be a wonderful choice. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are popular nearby towns with a variety of lodging options, including hotels, bed and breakfasts, and campgrounds. 

I suggest reading about both areas and then determining what sounds like the right fit for your traveling group. 

We stayed in a cabin right on the border of the national park in Gatlinburg and it was a great spot!

Pigeon Forge vs Gatlinburg

Both areas offer a wide variety of things to do and benefits to the location. 

Pigeon Forge: Home to Dollywood, go-cart tracks, and several dinner theaters. There are also good restaurants, and The Island offers restaurants, shopping, rides, and entertainment. Overall, the area is more expansive when it comes to the variety of things to do. If you are visiting Pigeon Forge, look into the Flex Pass (https://www.tiqets.com/en/pigeon-forge-attractions-c124347/tickets-for-smoky-mountains-sightseeing-flex-pass-p1052373)! 

Gatlinburg: Famous for its proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains and the number of pancake houses, you’ll also find a small town with lots of things to do, like Ripley’s aquarium and access to mountain lifts. 

Important Information about the Great Smoky Mountains

• Don’t forget to buy a parking tag. Since 2023, you have been required to buy a parking tag if you will stop in the park for longer than 15 minutes. The parking tag will be your only extra cost and ranges from $5-$40 depending on the length of stay
• You do not need to pay the standard National Park entrance fee in the Great Smoky Mountains. Two of the roads within the Great Smoky Mountains can not legally have a toll, therefore- it’s free to drive through! 
• Pets are not allowed in 95% of the park. There are very few dog-friendly hikes, so be sure to check into this further if you are interested in bringing your pet. 

Great Smoky Mountains Itinerary

This 5-day itinerary covers the cant miss spots and the best things to do with a family while visiting the Smokies. We would have loved to cross off a few more things from the above list, like visiting the aquarium or seeing the Titanic museum, but overall we felt like this was a great mix of activities for our family.

• Day 1: Arrive and settle into accommodation. Head into town for dinner and to drive through the area. Don’t forget to make your first stop at the Great Smoky Mountain Visitors Center to get your parking tag. 
• Day 2: Get pancakes from a spot in Gatlinburg in the morning and then head to Anakeesta for the afternoon. Grab a late lunch in Gatlinburg and explore the town before heading back to Anakeesta at night for Asrta Lumina. It’s a long day but it’s one of our favorite spots of the trip! 
• Day 3: Choose a moderate hiking trail, such as Alum Cave Bluffs Trail to Peregine Peak (keep an eye out for both parking lot here), and spend the day exploring the beauty of the mountains. Head to Pigeon Forge for dinner, then drive to Mortons Overlook for sunset. 
• Day 4: Spend the day in Dollywood! Dollywood also offer a few resort options if you plan to spend multiple full days in the park, however we felt like one day was perfect. 
• Day 5: Another fun day of hiking, I recommend Grotto Falls via Trillium Gap for a family. Take a scenic drive in the afternoon or evening to Cades Cove or Clingman’s Dome in the evening. Take in everything the Smokies have to offer on your final day! 

After reading all of the above, you may need to narrow down the best time to visit based on your family’s preferences and start packing your bags! Visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains are sure to find it a great place for a vacation, with a wide array of natural beauty, outdoor activities, and memorable experiences during their stay.