Outdoor Recreation

Hiking the Baxter Creek Trail near Mount Sterling in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Go hiking, paddling, fishing, and climbing in a park with lush valleys and high mountain tops. It's waiting for you to explore.

Laurel Falls in the winter in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

4 Things to Do in Winter in the Great Smokies

Snow just makes it more of an adventure. See our list of to top things to do in winter in the park and nearby – one of which is just a fun way to get around

Float past Tom Branch Falls along Deep Creek's 2-mile tubing section.

5 Top Ways to Get Wet in the Great Smoky Mountains

Stay cool in summer at these water hot spots including swimming holes under waterfalls, boating in a fingered lake, and floating down creeks.

Abrams Falls.

6 Day Hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Lace up your hiking boots and get ready to see a whole new side of the Smokies on these amazing trips from 4 to 11 miles round trip.

Bike riding on the Cades Cove Loop in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Biking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Bring your bicycle and mountain bike to the national park. Here's were you can ride.

Laurel Falls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Hike Laurel Falls Trail

This spectacular trail literally attracts thousands of hikers a day. But it’s for good reason, says park volunteer Mike Baker.

Sunrise at Charlies Bunion on the Appalachian Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Hike the Appalachian Trail Through Great Smoky Mountain National Park

The Appalachian Trail (AT) travels 72 miles through Great Smoky Mountains National Park along the Tennessee-North Carolina border.

Hiking along Abrams Creek near Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Leave No Trace in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Even if you live by the phrase “take only photos; leave only footprints” when you’re outdoors, it still might seem counterintuitive to pack out food scraps and toilet paper.

The view of Hot Springs, North Carolina and the French Broad River from Pump Gap on the Appalachian Trail. Photo by John Hayes via Flickr

Soak in Hot Springs, N.C. - Gateway to Great Smoky Mountains

Hot tubs fed by mineral springs and the Appalachian Trail take center stage in this town 45 minutes from the Catalooche area of the national park.

The Tremont River in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Water Safety in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Water is everywhere in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Although the waterfalls and streams are beautiful, these waters can also be dangerous.

An aerial view of Lake Fontana in North Carolina

Which Trail Should I Hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

Options for trails and what to expect on the hike, from a moderate walk to a waterfall to a strenuous hike to the top of a mountain.

An aerial view of Lake Fontana in North Carolina

Wildland Trekking Guided Hiking Vacations

Go on an unforgettable hiking vacation. Wildland Trekking has a tour that fits nearly anyone who loves to hike in world-renowned, breathtaking landscapes