Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a magical place for kids offering a variety of activities to explore and experience the great outdoors. From scenic hikes to horseback riding, there’s something for everyone at this stunning park.
We’ll highlight the most fun activities for kids at and around Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Fun for Kids at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains is gushing with family-friendly fun! If you want to add camping to the list of activities, read more about the top, family-friendly campgrounds around the park!
Visitor Centers
There are four visitor centers at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Each offers a different visitor experience via special exhibits. We suggest that you begin your trip at the closest visitor center to your accommodation.
- Sugarlands Visitor Center – This is the visitor center you will find near the park’s Gatlinburg entrance. It is very busy, and it is home to a large exhibit hall showcasing the wildlife and nature of the park.
- Cade’s Cove Visitor Center – This is located in the famous meadow full of historic structures and stories of farming history. It is closest to the Townsend, Tennessee entrance to the park, and it can become very congested with traffic if you arrive midday.
- Clingman’s Dome Visitor Center – Located near the center of the park, this is the visitor center at the highest elevation in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It lies adjacent to the trailhead to the park’s peak, Clingman’s Dome, which sits at over 6600′ in elevation. The Clingman’s Dome Visitor Center is closed from December 1st through April 10th each year. It is housed in an old, log cabin and includes a small book store, restrooms, and visitor information services.
- Oconaluftee Visitor Center – This center lies near the Cherokee, North Carolina entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you visit in or around winter, the fastest roadway between this location and others may be closed due to winter weather conditions. It is important to ensure that roads are clear before heading to Oconaluftee. This is also where you will find the Mountain Farm Museum.
Kids love visitor centers, as do many adults. Between the exhibits, the shops, and the rangers, these facilities are destinations in their own rights.
When you arrive, be sure to pick up a park map, the park newspaper, and junior ranger booklets. This is a great place to enourage kids to use their own voices and ask the rangers questions. You will also want to note the schedule for all of the park’s ranger programs, especially any kid-specific programming.
Hiking
Hiking is a great way to explore the park and get some exercise. There are trails for all skill levels, ranging from easy nature walks to challenging mountain hikes. Kids will love discovering new plants, animals, and landscapes along the way. Some popular trails for families include…
- Kephart Prong Trail – This 4 mile trail takes you over several log bridges that children will enjoy navigating.
- Porters Creek – This 2 mile round trip trail takes you to see 19th century ruins.
- Okonaluftee River Trail – If you are in the Cherokee, NC region of the park, check out this special, 3 mile Track Trail! Be sure to print the activities ahead of time to keep everyone engaged and excited along this interpretive journey!
- Little River Trail – This 5 mile trail takes visitors on a stroll along the river. Look for otters, wildflowers, and the historic 1920s cabins.
- Alum Cave Trail – As one of the park’s most famous trails, this more challenging, 5 mile trail ascends to a fun, cave-like feature that children and adults will love to explore. (Our youngest was 9-years-old when she first hiked Alum Cave, and there were many younger children on the trail.)
- Cataract Falls Trail – This easy, 0.75 mile trail begins at the Sugarlands Visitor Center and takes you out to a waterfall for your first jaw-dropping view of the park. It is a great leg-stretcher for those just arriving to the Smokies!
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of our parks with the broadest range of kid-friendly hiking opportunities. There are opportunities for any length of hike to see any feature of the park. On the trails, children will enjoy great access to all of this park’s most spectacular, natural features!
Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is a fun and unique way to explore the park, and it’s perfect for kids who love animals. There are several stables around the park offering guided horseback rides through the beautiful landscapes.
From trailrides, to hayrides, to carriage and wagon rides, you can enjoy the scenery from horseback however you prefer. The Cades Cove Riding Stables in Townsend, TN offers the broadest variety of park equine experiences HERE.
For the park-approved Smokemont Stables in the Cherokee region, click HERE.
If you are an animal lover or just want some variety in your Great Smoky Mountain experience, you are sure to find a memorable ride on your next trip!
Wildlife Watching
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including black bears, deer, and turkeys. Visit the open meadows of Cades Cove or Cataloochee for the best viewing opportunities. Take your kids on a wildlife watching tour, or simply keep an eye out for animals while on a hike.
Be aware of the high density of curious black bears in the park. Know what to do if you happen to encounter one by reading THIS briefing from the park service.
For information on how and when to use bear spray, read our article HERE. Remember to always respect wildlife from a safe distance and never approach them.
Fishing
Fishing is a fun activity for kids and a great way to teach them about conservation and respect for the environment. The park offers many opportunities to fish in its streams, lakes, and rivers, and you can either bring your own equipment or rent gear from local outfitters.
Before fishing, be sure to obtain a valid fishing license from the state of Tennessee or the state of North Carolina, depending on your fishing location. Familiarize yourself with the park’s fishing regulations HERE.
For serious anglers in the region, the park recommends THIS book.
Ranger Programs
The park offers a variety of ranger-led programs, including nature walks, campfire talks, and wildlife tracking. These programs provide an interactive and educational experience for kids and offer a unique way to learn about the park’s ecosystem and its inhabitants.
Remember to check the schedule at the visitor centers as they vary greatly from day to day and season to season.
One program this is consistent year-to-year occurs at Mingus Mill, near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. This historic gristmill offers daily demonstrations of the milling process. This park-sponsored event is always a fun experience for our junior ranger crowd!
Synchronous Firefly Event
If you go to Great Smoky Mountains National Park during a few, prized weeks of summer, you be present for the show of a lifetime! The park is home to a special species of fireflies that create synchronous flashing during peak mating season.
This natural wonder is ceremoniously celebrated by park lovers. It is such a special time at Great Smoky Mountains National Park that a lottery win is required for entry. To learn more about this event and access the annual lottery, read more HERE.
For more information on the park’s top attractions, click HERE. And, to build your children’s knowledge on the farming history of the region, read THIS post.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a wonderful place for kids to experience the great outdoors. From hiking to horseback riding to wildlife watching, there are countless activities for families to enjoy. So, pack your bags, grab your kids, and head to this stunning park for an adventure they’ll never forget!
Read more about our nation’s most family-friendly national parks!
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