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Latest update: September 2024

Great Smoky Mountains...

National Park Biking and Hiking in Tennessee and North Carolina

The most visited National Park in the United States, Great Smoky Mountains National Park takes our breath away each time we visit. Located In both Tennessee and North Carolina, there's something for everyone with 400 miles of roads, various trails, rivers and streams, waterfalls, diverse wildlife including a large black bear population, camping, hiking, and historic settlements. Accommodations, restaurants, shops, and tourist attractions are nearby. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a designated World Heritage Site. (Detailed map and photos below.)

• Weather and other conditions may affect access to various locations in the Park. Check for alerts and closures

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Great Smoky Mountains

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Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina (See map)
Distance: Various
Surface: Paved and unpaved roads
E-bikes: Only Class 1 and 2 electric bikes are permitted.

Park Fees: There is no entrance fee but a parking tag is required for vehicles parking for 15 minutes or more anywhere in the Park. Daily, weekly and annual options are available.

Shuttles: This is a popular location, and parking lots can be full. Several shuttle services are available.

Biking at Great Smoky Mountains National Park

All Park roads are open to biking, but the steep ride and narrow roads are not recommended for the recreational biker. There are no mountain biking trails in the park. There are, however, several areas where casual recreational biking is possible including Cades Cove, Cataloochee Valley, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, and Tremont (Middle Prong Little River). Also visit nearby Townsend and the pleasant, paved Townsend Historical Trail.

Cades Cove

Cades Cove in the northwest portion of the Park in Tennessee is one of the most popular destinations in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Traffic jams are common as people stop to admire the scenery and watch the wildlife including black bear and deer.

• The 11-mile, paved Cades Cove Loop Road is our favorite bike ride in the Great Smokies, with many historic structures, hiking, a waterfall and abundant wildlife. Biking is best from May to September when the road is closed to auto traffic all day on Wednesdays.

SEE OUR FULL REPORT AND 55+ PHOTOS HERE

Tremont

The Tremont area in Tennessee, along the Middle Prong Little River is a popular area for fishing and hiking, and is one of the most scenic areas in the Smokies. Today it's home to the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. (an outdoors and wildlife learning center).

• Biking is along Upper Tremont Road which leads to a trailhead to several hiking trails

SEE OUR FULL REPORT AND 30+ PHOTOS HERE

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a narrow and winding, one-way road following Roaring Fork, a fast-moving mountain stream. Starting in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, the first 2.5 miles is two-way traffic, and the last 5.5 miles is one-way.

• One of the most popular drives in the Smokies, the road is bikeable. The route features historic buildings, old grist mills, streams, waterfalls, trails, old-growth forest, and mountain views.

SEE OUR FULL REPORT AND 20+ PHOTOS HERE

Cataloochee Valley

Cataloochee consists of three valleys in the southeast in the southeast area of the Park in North Carolina, a remote area in the Balsam Mountains. Historical structures, wildlife and elk viewing, hiking, camping.

• The valley is relatively flat for easy biking, though the road into the valley is narrow and twisty with no guard rails.

SEE OUR FULL REPORT AND 20+ PHOTOS HERE

Hiking at Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Hiking at Great Smoky Mountains National Park includes 800 miles of trails ranging from easy family-friendly hikes to multi-day backcountry adventures, plus 70 miles of the Appalachian Trail runs through the park. Scenic vistas, cascading waterfalls, old-growth forest, historic settlements, and wildlife are some of many sights. Here are some popular (and easy) destinations we visited.

Kuwohi (Clingmans Dome)

Kuwohi (formerly known as Clingmans Dome), is the highest peak in Great Smoky Mountains National Park at 6,643 feet, and is one of the most popular destinations in the Smokies.

• A 1/2 mile paved, steep trail leads to an observation tower with a 360-degree view of the surrounding area.

SEE OUR FULL REPORT AND 15+ PHOTOS HERE

Newfound Gap - Appalachian Trail

Newfound Gap is the lowest drivable gap through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The popular Overlook, with parking, restrooms and stunning views, straddles the State Line between Tennessee and North Carolina.

• The parking area serves as a trailhead for the Appalachian Trail.

SEE OUR FULL REPORT AND 25+ PHOTOS HERE

Elkmont - Little River Trail

Elkmont was an early settlement, a logging town, and later a resort community in the upper Little River Valley in Tennessee before creation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Today, it consists of the Daisy Town Historic District (a Ghost Town with buildings from the old resort community), a large campground, and access to some excellent hiking trails.

• The Little River Trail runs on an old logging railroad bed along the Little River, passing old homesites, and linking to several other trails and backcountry campsites.

SEE OUR FULL REPORT AND 20+ PHOTOS HERE

Laurel Falls

Laurel Falls is a lovely 80-foot waterfall. A popular destination, it's reached via the Laurel Falls Trail - 2.6 miles round-trip.

• The Laurel Falls Trail offers mountain views and is very scenic. Paved and easy to hike, it's one of the most visited trails in the National Park.

SEE OUR FULL REPORT AND 15+ PHOTOS HERE

Fontana Dam

Historic dam provides hydroelectric power and flood control in the Tennessee River Valley. The dam forms Fontana Lake with numerous recreational opportunities. Visitor Center with parking, restrooms, information.

• The Appalachian Trail crosses the dam with scenic views as it enters the National Park.

SEE OUR FULL REPORT AND 10+ PHOTOS HERE

More Information and Resources

Nearby Biking:
Townsend Historical Trail (Tennessee)

Related Resources:
National Park Service - Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Biking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Support and Advocacy:
Friends of the Smokies