Short But Sweet: How to Spend Only a Few Hours in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

You could spend a week exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park and still feel like you barely scratched the surface. As much as we would like to spend two weeks exploring the most popular National Park in the US, sometimes life just gets in the way. You’d be surprised by how much you can do with just a few hours in Great Smoky National Park; all it takes is a little preparation beforehand. 

The age-old debate of which side of the Smokies is better won’t be answered here. I think both the North Carolina and Tennessee sides are worthy of a visit. While the Tennessee side has towns like Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, which offer endless attractions, North Carolina tends to favor a slower pace. There are fewer crowds on the North Carolina side, which appeals to many travelers. 

Hiking Trails on the North Carolina Side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

There are hundreds of miles of trails on the North Carolina side. They’re more rugged and lesser-known than the ones on the Tennessee side, while still offering the same million-dollar views.

Deep Creek Waterfall Loop

This 1.5-mile loop leads you to not one but three waterfalls: Juney Whank Falls, Tom Branch Falls, and Indian Creek Falls. The elevation gain is about 415 feet, pretty low considering the other trails in the National Park. There are some steps and bridges to cross, so it’s not exactly stroller-friendly. During the warmer months, the river access and swimming holes are a refreshing spot to cool down. 

Kuwohi Observation Tower Trail

Formerly known as Clingman’s Dome, this 1.3-mile out-and-back trail straddling the North Carolina/Tennessee border will take you to one of the best views in the Great Smoky Mountains. It’s also the highest point in Tennessee and the highest point along the Appalachian Trail. The trail can be pretty steep towards the top, but the views are worth it! Hopefully, you won’t encounter any fog to block your view. 

Andrews Bald Trail

This trail is a 1.8-mile section hike of the longer, 5.6-mile Forney Ridge Trail and begins at the Kuwohi parking lot and heads to Andrews Bald. It’s a nice trail that has a little bit of everything: a hike through the forest and open areas with beautiful views. Many hikers have reported a mama bear and her cubs in the area, so stay alert. You can combine this trail with the Kuwohi Observation Trail for the perfect day in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

There are plenty of longer, more strenuous hikes on the North Carolina side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but if you only have a day in the area, these are the hikes I would move to the top of the list! Be sure to double-check the National Park Service website for the latest trail information.

While you’re in the region, be sure to swing by Cherokee, a charming little town in North Carolina that comes alive in the wintertime and is a bit of a gateway to North Carolina's side of the National Park. Check out our previous article, where we highlight some of the best views near Cherokee to get inspired for your day trip.