When you have a deep love for nature, there's no better place to spend your vacation time than one of the most visited national parks in the country! The Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers some of the most incredible mountain views in the United States, but you have to know where to go for the best views in the Smoky Mountains.
Whether you're at the peak of your physical fitness and want to challenge yourself on one of the more strenuous hikes or enjoy a leisurely viewing experience, you're sure to find your perfect Smoky Mountain experience in this list!
1) Make A Day Of Hiking The Alum Cave Trail
The Alum Cave Trail is arguably one of the most popular hiking destinations for those seeking the best views in the Smoky Mountains! Plan to spend the entire day exploring the majesty of nature on this 11-mile, round-trip trail to the third-highest peak in the Smoky Mountains.
If you want to reach Mount Leconte's summit, the trail will take at least eight hours to complete out and back again. Not only does Mount Leconte offer some of the most incredible mountain views as the third-highest peak in the Smoky Mountains, but the Alum Cave Trail itself offers some breathtaking scenery of its own.
On this all-day hike, you'll experience a total elevation gain of 2,763 feet, so be sure to pack water and a few energy-reviving snacks for the trip down this lengthy Great Smoky Mountains trail.
2) Experience The Smoky Mountains From A Cherokee Helicopter Tour
If you're not up for walking the entire day to enjoy the beautiful scenery the Smoky Mountains offer, then an aerial tour of the area is more up your alley.
The Cherokee Helicopter Tours offer an unforgettable trip for those seeking both a thrilling experience and a quick glimpse at the majesty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Hop on a brief Intro Flight for a two-minute tour if you're nervous about being in the sky but still want to experience a birds-eye view of the mountains.
Cherokee Helicopter Tours also offers longer flights like the Foothills Tour, which takes you on a nine-mile adventure over the Qualla Valley to the Alarka Mountain Range, where you'll see the five hills that make up the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.
These tours tend to be a popular experience in quiet Cherokee, North Carolina, so be sure to book your time before vacation begins to ensure an unforgettable ride for your family and friends!
3) Experience Panoramic Views At The Clingmans Dome Observation Tower
Many know that an observation tower is the best way to experience panoramic views of an area at the highest point, but did you know that you can find several of them in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
The Clingmans Dome Observation Tower is a 45-foot structure built in 1959 with a visitor-friendly 375-foot ramp at the highest point in the Smoky Mountains. It's now considered a historical landmark in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and offers panoramic views of the breathtaking scenery.
4) Experience The Tennessee Portion Of The Appalachian Trail
While there are 848 miles of trails throughout the national park, 71 miles consist of the Tennessee stretch of the Appalachian Trail. They are amongst the most popular hiking destinations in the Smoky Mountains.
While most of the Tennessee section of the Appalachian Trail is moderately challenging, the fairy-tale-like scenery makes this section of the national park one of the most scenic places to visit in the Smoky Mountains.
5) Discover Breathtaking Views From The Foothills Parkway
The Foothills Parkway is a 72.1-mile parkway traversing the foothills of the Northern Great Smoky Mountains in east Tennessee. Winding along the Pigeon River, the Foothills Parkway is one of the most scenic drives in the Smoky Mountains.
You can expect stunning views of the surrounding forests and sprawling mountain peaks from the comfort of your vehicle. You can pull off at several different overlooks with unbeatable mountain views of the national park.
Some of the overlooks you'll encounter on the way include:
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Mount Cammerer Overlook
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Stone Mountain Overlook
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English Mountain Overlook
6) Challenge Yourself To An Expert Hiking Experience At Trillium Gap Trail In The Smoky Mountains
The Trillium Gap Trail is considered a challenging hiking experience with a 489-foot elevation gain per mile, with an overall total of 3,401 feet over the 13.9 round-trip hike.
Though the trail leads to the summit of Mount Leconte, you can choose to make your final destination at Grotto Falls, which is typically a heavily visited location in the Great Smoky Mountains. The trail tends to be heavily dotted with tourists as it leads to Grotto Falls, but the number of hikers drops considerably as you head to the summit.
The area is lush with hemlocks and an array of wildflowers, including:
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White and Yellow Trillium
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White Violets
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Stitchwort
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Squawcorn
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Dutchman's Breeches
7) Travel Through The Heart Of The Great Smoky Mountains On Newfound Gap Road
Newfound Gap Road is the only fully-paved road that sprawls through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This 31-mile drive offers scenic views from the comfort of your vehicle but also provides access to several overlooks and historic locations perfect for photo ops or taking a moment to soak in nature.
Temperatures are typically 10 degrees lower than in the lowlands, so if you spend any time outside your vehicle at the various historical markers or overlooks, you'll want a light jacket on hand!
8) Capture Incredible Views At Cades Cove
Cades Cove is a can't-miss location in the Great Smoky Mountains! Not only does this lush valley have a one-way loop road to allow travelers to experience incredible views from their vehicle, but you'll also have access to several hiking trails.
Cades Cove is a prime location for seeking an encounter with wildlife, but remember, if you hold out your arm and cannot cover the animal completely with your thumb, you're too close!
Some of the animals you can expect to see here are:
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White-Tailed Deer
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Black Bear
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Raccoons
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Turkey
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Coyote
9) Challenge Yourself To A Steep Climb At Chimney Tops Trail
Though it's one of the steepest hikes in the Smoky Mountains, Chimney Tops Trail is perhaps one of the most popular hiking trails because of its length and elevation.
With a 1,400-foot elevation gain over two miles, you can expect a steep climb on this trail. However, the final .25-mile stretch is currently unavailable because of fire damage.
The beginning of the trail crosses over three beautiful rushing streams before ascending to a switchback that guides you along Sugarland Mountain to a ridge where you can see incredible views of Mount Leconte!
10) Bask In The Beauty Of Laurel Falls
The Smoky Mountains are known to have dozens of beautiful waterfalls, but the Laurel Falls are likely the most visited in the national park. With droves of visitors seemingly always meandering the area, you should expect a busy trail to and from Laurel Falls.
The trail leading to Laurel Falls is one of the few in the national park to welcome leashed and well-behaved canine companions. Be sure to bring along some water for your pup and keep their messes clean, and they're welcome to explore the trail with you.
Laurel Falls is 80 feet tall and is named after the mountain laurel bush that blooms around May in the Great Smoky Mountains. The path is 7.6 miles round trip and will take at least two hours to get to the falls and back again, so be sure to have water with you as well.
11) Enjoy A Skylift Ride To Crockett Mountain
Are you tired of hiking miles of trail to see mountain views? Head to Gatlinburg, where you can catch a ride on the skylift that takes you up to the top of Crockett Mountain for breathtaking sites of the Smoky Mountains and town from above.
There are places to grab concessions at the top, and you can even buy a souvenir to commemorate your trip to the Smoky Mountains at the available mountaintop gift store.
Don't Miss The Best Places For Mountain Scenery In The Great Smoky Mountains
When you take a trip to the Smoky Mountains, there's no better way to capture the beauty of the place than to step out into nature. Whether hiking along one of the 800 miles of trails or driving along a scenic road, there's never a dull moment.
Hands down, the best and most relaxing way to see the Smoky Mountains is to experience the mountain views from above. Hop aboard a Cherokee Helicopter Tours flight to ensure you get all the sites the Great Smoky Mountains offer.
Head to our website to book a tour today!
