u/lukewarmkitty77

Hey everyone! My family is planning our first trip to the Gatlinburg / Smoky Mountains area, and I’d really appreciate honest feedback on our itinerary.

We’ll be there August 15–21, and our home base will be in Gatlinburg. Our group is 12 people total: about 9 cousins ages 16–30, plus 3–4 parents in their late 50s / early 60s. None of us have been to this Tennessee area before, so I’m trying to fit in a lot while still leaving room to actually enjoy the trip, explore, and not make every day feel rushed.

I know August will be busy, hot, and crowded, so please critique this heavily — especially the order of activities, driving/logistics from Gatlinburg, whether anything is too packed, and whether some things should be moved or cut. I was trying to keep national park days strictly on weekdays so there would (hopefully) be a little less people on the trails with us. We have two cars - a 7 seater minivan with 3 rows (very back row windows do not go all the way down which might make Cades Cove a little tricky, would love some advice on this) and then a Tesla (4-5 seater)

Current Itinerary

Saturday, Aug. 15 — Arrival Day

• Fly into Knoxville
• Drive to our place in Gatlinburg
• Explore the Gatlinburg Strip

Sunday, Aug. 16 — Dollywood

• Full day at Dollywood

Monday, Aug. 17 — Gatlinburg / Cades Cove Day

• Entire group drives in two cars from Gatlinburg to the Alum Cave Trailhead
• Whole group hikes Alum Cave Trail to the Bluffs
• Then split into two groups:
  • Group 1 continues to Mt. LeConte / Myrtle Point
  • Group 2 heads back down, then drives to Elkmont / Little River Trail

Tuesday, Aug. 18 — Anakeesta + Rafting

• Anakeesta
• White water rafting with Big Bear

Wednesday, Aug. 19 — GSMNP Hiking Day

• Hillbilly Golf
• Crockett’s Breakfast Camp
• Walk? Maybe Bike Cades Cove Loop
  • I do not know how far we will get walking (or if this is a smart decision)
  • I’ve heard wildlife is better later in the day, especially after 3 p.m.
• Possibly hike to Abrams Falls

Thursday, Aug. 20 — Big Scenic Day

• Sunrise at Kuwohi
• Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail (possibly pull off to the side to hike Grotto Falls)
• The Island in Pigeon Forge at night

 

Friday, Aug. 21 — Checkout

• Checkout and head home

Main Questions

1. Is this itinerary too packed for a first-time family trip based in Gatlinburg?
2. What would you cut, move, or swap?
3. Is Cades Cove better early in the morning or later in the afternoon in August? I’m also not completely opposed to biking on Wednesday, but I’d have to check with my group first since I’m not sure everyone knows how to bike or would be comfortable biking the loop. For anyone who has walked it before, how difficult or realistic is it, especially with a larger group?
4. Are we missing any “must-do” Smokies experiences for a first trip?

I’m very open to changing this. I just want to do the Smokies right without exhausting everyone. Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone,

I’m planning an August trip to the Smoky Mountains with family, and we’ll be staying in the Gatlinburg area. We’ll probably have around 2–3 days to actually explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and I really want to do it right.

Our group will mostly be cousins in their 20s–30s, plus maybe 2–3 adults in their 60s. We might split into one group that’s willing to do more strenuous hikes and another group that wants something easier, but ideally we’d love to do at least some things together.

I’m especially confused about Cades Cove. I keep seeing people say it’s one of the best things to do in the park, but I don’t fully understand how you’re supposed to experience it. Is it mainly something you drive around, or are you supposed to get out and walk/hike different parts of it? What’s the best way to do Cades Cove?

I’m also looking for advice on the most scenic/best trails, especially ones that are not too strenuous for the whole family. I’ve heard a lot about Alum Cave Trail to Mt. LeConte, but I’m trying to understand how hard that really is for an average person who isn’t super athletic. Is going all the way to LeConte worth it, or is Alum Cave Bluffs the better stopping point for most people?

I’ve also heard Trillium Gap Trail might be an easier/less steep way to get to LeConte, while Alum Cave is more scenic. Is that accurate? ChatGPT says this and I honestly don't know which should we pick (or if any of these are even good ideas)

• Trillium Gap if we want easier/less steep
• Alum Cave if we want the best scenery
• Alum Cave to the Bluffs only as the middle-ground option

Also, are there any other trails, overlooks, scenic drives, waterfalls, or areas of the park that you’d recommend for a family trip like this?

I’m honestly super excited for this trip. I’ve been really wanting to get back to the mountains, and I want to make the most of it without overplanning or accidentally choosing hikes that are too much for the group.

Any advice on how to structure 2–3 park days, what to prioritize, and what to avoid in August would be really appreciated!

Hey everyone,

I’m planning an August trip to the Smoky Mountains with family, and we’ll be staying in the Gatlinburg area. We’ll probably have around 2–3 days to actually explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and I really want to do it right.

Our group will mostly be cousins in their 20s–30s, plus maybe 2–3 adults in their 60s. We might split into one group that’s willing to do more strenuous hikes and another group that wants something easier, but ideally we’d love to do at least some things together.

I’m especially confused about Cades Cove. I keep seeing people say it’s one of the best things to do in the park, but I don’t fully understand how you’re supposed to experience it. Is it mainly something you drive around, or are you supposed to get out and walk/hike different parts of it? What’s the best way to do Cades Cove?

I’m also looking for advice on the most scenic/best trails, especially ones that are not too strenuous for the whole family. I’ve heard a lot about Alum Cave Trail to Mt. LeConte, but I’m trying to understand how hard that really is for an average person who isn’t super athletic. Is going all the way to LeConte worth it, or is Alum Cave Bluffs the better stopping point for most people?

I’ve also heard Trillium Gap Trail might be an easier/less steep way to get to LeConte, while Alum Cave is more scenic. Is that accurate? ChatGPT says this and I honestly don't know which should we pick (or if any of these are even good ideas)

• Trillium Gap if we want easier/less steep
• Alum Cave if we want the best scenery
• Alum Cave to the Bluffs only as the middle-ground option

Also, are there any other trails, overlooks, scenic drives, waterfalls, or areas of the park that you’d recommend for a family trip like this?

I’m honestly super excited for this trip. I’ve been really wanting to get back to the mountains, and I want to make the most of it without overplanning or accidentally choosing hikes that are too much for the group.

Any advice on how to structure 2–3 park days, what to prioritize, and what to avoid in August would be really appreciated!

Looking for a place to park for the summer