The Smoky Mountains reward the curious. Most visitors drive Newfound Gap Road, stop at the overlooks, and call it done. The RVers who come back year after year know that the real Smokies — the quiet trails, the waterfall hollows, the fog-draped ridgelines at dawn — take more than one trip to find.

This is the guide for the second kind of visitor.

The drives

Newfound Gap Road The main spine of the park, crossing the Tennessee-North Carolina state line at 5,046 feet. On a clear day the views from Newfound Gap are genuinely stunning — layered ridges fading into blue haze as far as you can see. On a foggy morning it feels like driving through clouds. Both are worth it.

The drive from Gatlinburg to Cherokee is about 31 miles. Plan two hours minimum if you want to stop. Most RVs handle it without issue — the road is well-maintained and wide enough, though some of the pullouts are tight for longer rigs.

Cades Cove Loop An 11-mile one-way loop through a broad valley in the western part of the park. This is the best wildlife viewing in the Smokies — white-tailed deer are almost guaranteed, black bears are common, wild turkeys cross the road regularly. Historic homesteads and grist mills dot the valley.

Go early. The loop opens at sunrise and the first hour is the best for wildlife. By 10am on summer weekends it's bumper to bumper. Wednesday and Saturday mornings the loop is closed to vehicles until 10am for cyclists and pedestrians — plan accordingly.

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail A narrow, one-way 5.5-mile loop through old-growth forest near Gatlinburg. Historic cabins, multiple waterfall access points, and some of the most atmospheric forest driving in the park. Not suitable for RVs or trailers — the road is too narrow and low-hanging branches are a real hazard. Leave the rig at camp and take your tow vehicle or a rental car.

Foothills Parkway Less visited than Newfound Gap Road and worth every mile. The western section offers sweeping ridge views without the park traffic. The recently completed eastern section — open since 2018 after 50 years of construction — is one of the most scenic drives in the entire region. Both sections are RV-friendly.

The hikes

Laurel Falls — Best for families 2.6 miles round trip, paved, moderate

The most popular hike in the park leads to the largest waterfall accessible by trail. Paved the entire way, which means strollers and people who don't own hiking boots can do it — and do. Go early or late to avoid the crowds. The falls are genuinely beautiful and worth the traffic.

Alum Cave Trail — Best all-around hike 4.4 miles round trip to Alum Cave Bluffs, strenuous option continues to LeConte

Starts at a creek, passes through a hemlock forest, crosses a ridgeline with exposed views, and ends at a dramatic overhanging bluff dripping with minerals. One of the best hikes in the eastern US at any length. Continue past the bluffs to Mount LeConte if you want a full day — it's a serious climb but the summit views are extraordinary.

Andrews Bald — Best views for the effort 3.6 miles round trip from Clingmans Dome, moderate

Most people drive to Clingmans Dome, walk the half-mile to the observation tower, and leave. The ones who continue down the Appalachian Trail to Andrews Bald get an open grassy meadow at 5,860 feet with 360-degree views and almost nobody else around. One of the great secrets of the Smokies.

Abrams Falls — Best waterfall hike 5 miles round trip from Cades Cove, moderate

The payoff is a 20-foot waterfall pouring into a wide turquoise pool — one of the most photogenic spots in the park. The trail follows Abrams Creek through rhododendron tunnels and rocky terrain. Start from the Cades Cove trailhead and combine it with the loop drive for a full day.

Grotto Falls — Best short waterfall hike 2.6 miles round trip, moderate

The only waterfall in the park you can walk behind. The trail passes through old-growth hemlock forest and the falls drop 25 feet into a mossy grotto. Short enough for most fitness levels, beautiful enough to justify the drive to the Roaring Fork trailhead. Leave the RV at camp — the parking area is small.

Mount Cammerer — Best for solitude 11.2 miles round trip, strenuous

The least-visited major hike in the park starts from Cosby Campground and climbs to a historic stone fire tower with 360-degree views of the entire park. You will see almost no one. The views from the tower on a clear day are among the best in the Smokies. A serious hike — plan a full day and start early.

The waterfalls

Beyond the hiking trails, several waterfalls are accessible with minimal effort:

Rainbow Falls — 80 feet, the tallest in the park. Gets its name from the rainbows that form in the mist on sunny afternoons. 5.4 miles round trip, strenuous.

Hen Wallow Falls — quiet, less visited, easily reached from Cosby. 4.4 miles round trip, moderate.

Midnight Hole and Mouse Creek Falls — two waterfalls on one short trail near Big Creek. Some of the most beautiful water in the park. 4 miles round trip, easy to moderate.

Clingmans Dome

At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Smoky Mountains and the highest point on the entire Appalachian Trail. The observation tower at the top offers views into six states on a clear day.

The road to the top is paved and manageable for most RVs up to about 30 feet — longer rigs should check current conditions. The half-mile walk from the parking lot to the tower is steep. Go on a weekday if possible — the parking lot fills completely on summer weekends by mid-morning.

The road is closed December through March.

Beyond the park

Gatlinburg The main Tennessee gateway town is equal parts tourist trap and genuine mountain town. The Gatlinburg SkyLift Park is worth it for the views. The Ole Smoky Moonshine distillery is a legitimate stop. Avoid downtown on weekend evenings in summer unless you enjoy gridlock.

Pigeon Forge and Dollywood Dollywood is one of the best theme parks in the country — genuinely. If you have kids, it belongs on the itinerary. The Smoky Mountain Christmas event in fall and winter is spectacular. Pigeon Forge itself is strip-mall tourism but the park is worth the drive through it.

Cherokee, North Carolina The Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation has invested heavily in cultural tourism and it shows. The Museum of the Cherokee People is excellent — one of the best Native American museums in the eastern US. Harrah's Cherokee Casino is there if that's your thing. The town sits at the southern entrance of the park and gives you easy access to the quieter North Carolina side.

Bryson City A small mountain town on the North Carolina side that's become a destination in its own right. The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad runs scenic excursions through the gorge. The Nantahala Outdoor Center nearby offers whitewater rafting on the Nantahala River — one of the best family whitewater experiences in the Southeast.

Best times to visit

May — Wildflower season. The Smokies have one of the most diverse wildflower displays in North America. Crowds are lighter than summer and temperatures are ideal.

June–August — Peak season. Full crowds, full campgrounds, full parking lots. Go early every day. Book everything months in advance. Still worth it for the long days and swimming holes.

October — Fall color peaks mid-to-late October and it is legitimately one of the great natural spectacles in the eastern US. The most popular time of year — book campgrounds six months out if you're going in October.

November–April — Off-season. Crowds drop dramatically, campground availability opens up, and the park takes on a different character. Some roads and facilities close. Black bears are less active. Winter hiking on snow-covered trails is genuinely beautiful if you're prepared for it.

Gear for the Smokies

• Bug spray — ticks are present on most trails spring through fall. Best Natural Bug Sprays for Camping →
• Leveling blocks — NPS campground sites are uneven. Best RV Leveling Systems →
• Portable generator — some NPS sites have no hookups. Best Portable Generators for RVing →
• Backup camera — useful for backing into wooded NPS sites. Best RV Backup Cameras →

Where to stay

Planning your campsite? See our full guide to the best RV parks in the Smoky Mountains — from NPS sites inside the park to full-hookup family resorts near Gatlinburg and Cherokee.

Best RV Parks in the Smoky Mountains →

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