Images from Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Hiking for the Whole Family
Throughout the year, people visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park for an array of outdoor activities. One of the most popular things to do is hiking. The park has hundreds of miles of trails that are perfect for a challenging trek or a scenic stroll that all ages and abilities can enjoy. If you are traveling to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with children, be sure to check out these kid-friendly hiking trails.
Click here to read more about hiking trails at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Kid-Friendly Hiking Trails at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
These hiking trails are an easier level of difficulty while still giving children a chance to immerse themselves in the park’s beautiful natural surroundings.
Abrams Falls
Abrams Falls Trail is five miles round trip. Access this trail from Cades Cove and follow it to the beautiful Abrams Falls waterfall. The whole family will love the sights and sounds of the water rushing over the 20-foot falls. Abrams Falls is the most voluminous waterfall within Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Kephart Prong Trail
Kephart Prong Trail is four miles round trip. The trail leads hikers through an old logging railway giving children a chance to learn more about the area’s history. Kephart Prong Trail follows along log bridges and a creek. Along the trail, kids will be able to spot plenty of wildlife, including salamanders, and wildflowers during the spring.
Laurel Falls Trail
Laurel Falls Trail is less than three miles round trip. One of the most popular hiking trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Laurel Falls trail is an easy, paved hike. This trail leads to the 80-foot tall Laurel Falls waterfall. While the trail is paved, many surfaces can be rough and uneven, so it is not recommended for strollers or wheelchairs.
Porters Creek Trail
Porters Creek Trail is two miles round trip. Just six miles east of Gatlinburg, the Porters Flat is located in the Greenbrier Cove where the first European settlers arrived in the late 1700s. This trail offers plenty of history, including a cantilevered barn, springhouse, cabin and more remnants of from life centuries ago. Nature has taken over much of this trail and now hardwood forests fill much of the landscape.
