Summer is a great time to explore the outdoors! The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is filled with a variety of fun summer activities that allow you to experience the beauty of nature up close! Keep reading to discover the best summer activities in the Great Smoky Mountains that you won’t want to miss this season.
1. Explore Hiking Trails
One of the top summer activities in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is hiking. The park has more than 800 miles of hiking trails, featuring everything from waterfalls to panoramic vistas to historical sites! Waterfall trails are especially popular for hiking in the Smokies in summer. The national park has more than 100 waterfalls scattered throughout, and they range from kid-friendly hikes such as Cataract Falls to longer trails like Rainbow Falls. Whether you choose an easy stroll through the woods or an all-day trek, keep an eye out for local wildlife and summer wildflowers like flame azalea, mountain laurel, and rhododendron!
2. Take a Scenic Drive
If you want to see as much natural beauty as possible, one of the can’t-miss summer activities in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is taking a scenic drive! There are a number of roads in the park that wind through lush forests and offer breathtaking mountain views. These scenic drives have periodic pull-offs where you can stop and get out of the car to breathe in the fresh mountain air while enjoying the stunning views. Some of the most popular summer scenic drives in the Smoky Mountains include Roaring Fork, Cades Cove, Newfound Gap, and Foothills Parkway.
3. Go Horseback Riding
Another fun summer activity in the Great Smoky Mountains is horseback riding. Take a guided trail ride to experience the beauty of the national park from a whole new perspective! These trails meander through the forest and past beautiful sights. You may even get to spot some wildlife during your ride! A popular option is Cades Cove Riding Stables. They offer guided horseback riding through Cades Cove, and along the way you’ll get to learn about the interesting history of this section of the national park.
4. Enjoy a Picnic in the Park
Having a picnic is one of the best summer activities in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! There’s nothing quite like sharing a meal while surrounded by nature. Some picnic areas even have charcoal grills so you can enjoy a full cookout! You can find picnic areas throughout the national park, and some of the best include Cades Cove, Chimneys, and Metcalf Bottoms. Pack sandwiches, hot dogs, or whatever fixin’s you need for a tasty meal in the heart of the Smokies!
5. Catch a Fish
Fishing is fun for all ages, making it another one of the great summer activities in the Great Smoky Mountains. The national park has approximately 2,900 miles of streams, and fishing is allowed in all of them. About 20 percent of these streams are large enough to support trout populations. You can cast a line in remote headwater trout streams or fish in large coolwater smallmouth bass streams. Just keep in mind that you must have a valid Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license or permit to fish in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Start Planning Your Smoky Mountain Summer Vacation
Your summer vacation itinerary should definitely include these activities in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Do you need more help planning your summer vacation in the Smokies? Check out this guide to the perfect summer in Gatlinburg and find out why you’ll love spending your summer vacation at our downtown Gatlinburg hotel at the doorstep to the national park!
