Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

Looking for the best hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Great Smoky Mountains National Park

  • Cashiers, North Carolina

    Explore Whitewater Falls

    4.0
    0.5 mi / 100 ft gain
    Whitewater Falls is the highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains with the upper falls alone dropping over 400 feet. The walk to the falls is very short and friendly for all ages and abilities - the path is paved so the falls are wheelchair accessible. The falls are beautiful in all seasons b...
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  • Brevard, North Carolina

    Art Loeb Trail

    4.8
    30.07 mi / 7467 ft gain
    Start at The Davidson River Campground just outside of Brevard, NC (276 Pisgah Ranger District). Have a shuttle car or a friend waiting at the Daniel Boone Boy Scout camp for the finish line. Hop on the 30.1 mile long Art Loeb Trail at the trailhead in the Davidson River Campground. Pull into th...
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  • Brevard, North Carolina

    Camp at Davidson River Campground in the Pisgah National Forest

    4.5
    Pisgah National Forest, in my opinion, is one of the best national forests in the United States. Being just a short drive from Great Smokey Mountain National Park it has all the feel of being in the smokies with more to explore. Pisgah has anything you could want to see or do from tens of water...
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  • Mountain Rest, South Carolina

    Hike along the Chattooga River to Spoonauger Falls

    1 mi / 100 ft gain
    Spoonauger falls housed in Sumter National Forest, received its name after the Spoonauger family which historically lived above the falls. From Walhalla SC, drive north on Highway 28 until it meets SC 107 (right under 10 miles). Take a slight right onto SC 107 and drive another 10 miles until yo...
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  • Clayton, Georgia

    Hike the James E. Edmond trail to Lookoff Mountain Overlook

    4.0
    7.5 mi / 2378 ft gain
    Black Rock Mountain State Park is Georgia's highest elevation State Park.  It is adorned with several waterfalls, sweeping overlooks, blooming Rhododendron's, and plenty of miles of trail.  The James E. Edmond trail is the longest and by far most challenging hike in the park.  Its medium-long dis...
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  • Mountain Rest, South Carolina

    King Creek Falls

    4.8
    1.45 mi / 256 ft gain
    The trail to Kings Creek begins behind the bulletin board in the Burrells Ford primitive campground parking lot. It is an easy .5 mile trail to the falls. The falls are only 70ft high but they are beautiful, there is an area to the side of the falls with some nice sitting rocks and the area under...
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  • Asheville, North Carolina

    Explore Lake Powhatan

    Lake Powhatan is located just minutes away from Asheville, NC and offers a number of fun activities for you, your friends, and your family. In the warm summer months, the Lake is a popular spot for swimming. The small stretch of beach along the lake is a nice place to lay out and soak in the sun....
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  • Mountain Rest, South Carolina

    Hike to Big Bend Falls

    5.0
    6.5 mi
    The hike to Big Bend Falls begins on the Chattooga River Trail at the Burrell's Ford Campground. To get here you take Burrell's Ford Road off of SC 107. There will be a good sized gravel parking area off to the left about 3 miles down Burrell's Ford Road. When you park the car you can walk down t...
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  • Young Harris, Georgia

    Hike the Miller Trek

    5.0
    6.3 mi / 1325 ft gain
    This is an awesome trek with views of both Young Harris and Hiawassee, GA! The trail starts from the parking area where there is the Miller Trek A-Frame (see photo for reference)! There are several different trails within the trail system on the mountain, but if you take 5 minutes to read the map...
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  • Pisgah Forest, North Carolina

    Drive the Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway

    5.0
    76 mi / 1000 ft gain
    You can drive this highway getting different views during the different seasons. Along the drive, have your camera ready for beautiful vistas, Looking Glass Falls, and many adventures along the highway. The views are especially beautiful in the autumn with the leaves changing colors. This route d...
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