Hiking in The Smoky Mountains with Kids
Find the best views without the eight mile hike! The Smoky Mountains contains 150 trails, weather you are walking behind a waterfall or swimming near one you won't run out of things to do! Hiking with children in the magnificent Smoky Mountains is a one of a kind experince that you will all cherish for years. Â These are the must-see hikes with kids in The Smoky Mountains:
Laurel Falls
Distance: 2.4 miles
Time: Approximately 2 hrs
Elevation gain 403 ft
​
This trail is a staple in The Smoky Mountains and for good reason! This trail will lead you to a 30 foot tall waterfall, one of the tallest waterfalls in the mountains with easy access. The path is scheduled for remodle and should be better paved in the near future, as of our trip in June 2024 it was "paved" but not like a sidewalk. And while maybe it's not a perfect trail for a stroller it's also not a good one for young children to be walking alone either. The drop off's are steep! My eight year old lost her footing trying to get a picture and almost went down, luckily I grabbed her arm. It's a good trail to put the kids in carriers, if they are walking just make sure they understand that danger is real and this isn't the trail to runahead or play roughhouse. Consider bringing a picnic lunch to enjoy by the waterfall and make sure to check for salamanders near the base of the waterfall!
Mount Buckley via Clingmans Dome Bypass
Distance: 1.7 miles
Time: Approximatley 1 hr 15 min
Elevation gain: 423 ft
​
You won't want to miss this view at the highest point in the Smoky Mountains! How you want to go about doing it is up to you. There are a few trails that you could take all stemming from the same parking lot. Show up after 11am and you will be dealing with loads of traffic drama during peak seasons. You could take the fastest way to Clingmans Dome straight up the paved path, but keep in mind this path is probably one of the most crowded in the park and it is a steep walk up, although there are some benches to rest on along the way. Round trip you will be walking 1.3 miles with a 332 ft elevation gain on the way up. The views at the top are some of the best in all the Smokies! But this isn't the only way to get to the top you can also choose to hike the Mount Buckley via Clingmans Dome Bypass trail taking you on a scenic route to the top of Clingmans Dome and leading you down the paved path back to your car. Or you could choose to reverse it and begin with the walk up Clingmans Dome then walking down the scenic route of Mount Buckley. Although Mount Buckley Trail is known to have roots and lose rocks that might be troublesome for small children.
Trillium Gap trail via Roaring Fork Motor Nature trail
- Grotto Falls
Distance: 2.8 miles
Time: Approximatley 2 hr 15 min
Elevation gain: 544 ft
​
Have you ever walked behind a waterfall? Probably not right? Well your kids won't be able to say the same if you decide to go on this 2.8 mile hike leading to a 25 foot tall waterfall. Don't forget to snap some photos as your family follows the iconic trail behind the waterfall. The Trillium Gap Trail leads to Grotto Falls and is an extremely popular choice for families. While parking is limited the earlier you arrive the more likely that you will find a spot . You will have to travel Newfound Gap rd which is closed in winter months and always to large trucks and Rv's.
Mouse Creek Falls via Big Creek Trail -
Midnight Hole
Distance: 4 miles
Time: Approximatley 3 hr
Elevation gain: 541 ft
​​
Midnight Hole is one of the best swimming holes in the Smoky Mountains! Although it will come with a few caveats for starters this trail will take you to the edge of North Carolina, from the
Gatlinburg area it would be about 45 minutes. Big Creek Campground has limited parking available and the early bird definitley gets the worm here. Furthermore if you aren't paying attention you could walk right past the Midnight Hole marker which is a small white circle painted on a tree to the right side about 1.5 miles into the trail. You can choose to swim and turn back making it a 3 mile round trip or continue down the path another half a mile and follow the small side trail to find a viewpoint to Mouse Creek Falls a 45 foot waterfall!