Hiking | Pets | Biking | Fishing 
Hiking
More than 850 miles of hiking trails traverse the Great Smoky Mountains. They range from easy to difficult and provide half hour walks to week-long backpacking trips. The Appalachian Trail runs for 70 miles along the Park's top ridge. Pets are not allowed on any trails except for the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail. Backcountry camping requires a permit. Safety is important to consider when exploring the backcountry. Here are a few basics to help you get started: 1. Let someone know your route and return time.
2. Always hike with another person.
3. Carry a current park trail map.
4. Carry 2 small flashlights or headlamps.
5. Take adequate water - minimum 2 quarts per person per day.
6. All water taken from the backcountry should be treated.
7. Wear shoes or boots that provide good ankle support.
8. Carry a small first aid kit.
9. Check the current weather forecast and be prepared for quickly changing conditions. With so many options, the Smokies offer a tremendous number of hiking opportunities. Stop at Sugarlands Visitor Center on US 441 at the Gatlinburg to get trail maps and the latest condition of trails.
 Mentioned below are a few of the most popular destinations:
Appalachian Trail: The famous Appalachian Trail extends 69 miles through the park. The easiest place to access it is at Newfound Gap. You can hike 8 miles roundtrip north to rocky crags along the state line ridge at Charlies Bunion. Or drive to the end of Clingmans Dome Road and take a one mile roundtrip hike to the summit or a 3.6 mile rocky roundtrip to enjoy the views from Andrews Bald on the Forney Ridge Trail.
Alum Cave Trail: This is a 4.6 mile roundtrip hike, rated moderate. It includes Arch Rock, a natural arch, Inspiration Point, and the Alum Cave Bluff. Inspiration Point offers a spectacular view of the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River's upper basin. The trail continues to Mt. LeConte, and its beautiful viewpoints. Roundtrip distance from the parking to Le Conte is 10 miles. Starts at large parking area on US 421 6.8 miles from Sugarlands Visitor Center in Gatlinburg.
Chimney Tops Trail: This strenuous 4-mile roundtrip hike starts near the Alum Cave Trail (6.7 miles from Sugarland) leads you through old-growth forest to a popular, but dangerous, clifftop viewpoint.
Grotto Falls & Rainbow Falls: Both trails begin on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. (See Auto Tours)
Laurel Falls: This 2.6 mile roundtrip, easy paved trail begins on US 441, 4 miles past the Sugarlands Visitor Center and goes to a 75 foot waterfall. Cades Cove: Popular hikes here include Rich Mountain Loop (8 miles) and Abrams Falls (5 mile roundtrip). See Cades Cove for more.
Download a Trail Map (1mb PDF file)
Pets
Pets are allowed in campgrounds, picnic areas, parking areas, and along roads, but must be kept on a leash at all times. The leash must not exceed 6 feet in length. Pets are only allowed on two short walking paths--the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail. Pets are not allowed on any other park trails. Pets should not be left unattended in vehicles or RVs.
Bicycling
Bicycles can travel on most roads within the park. However, due to steep terrain, narrow road surfaces, and heavy automobile traffic, many park roads are not well suited for safe and enjoyable bicycle riding. Cades Cove Loop Road is an exception. The 11-mile one way road, is a popular bicycling area. It provides bicyclists with excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and touring 19th century homesites. During summer and fall, bicycles may be rented at the Cades Cove store (located near Cades Cove Campground). For information call (865) 448-9034. Beginning the second week in May, the loop road is closed to motor vehicle traffic Wednesday and Saturday mornings until 10:00 a.m. to allow bicyclists and pedestrians to enjoy the cove. This closure continues through the second-to-last Saturday in September.Safety is always a major concern where cars and bicycles must share the road. We strongly recommend that all riders wear helmets, use rear view mirrors, and ride properly fitted and well-maintained bicycles. Please obey all traffic regulations.There are no mountain biking trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Gatlinburg Trail, the Oconaluftee River Trail, and the lower Deep Creek Trail are the only park trails on which bicycles are allowed. Bicycles are prohibited on all other park trails.Mountain biking trails are open on national forest and recreation lands outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For information on mountain biking in these areas, please contact the following offices:Chattahoochee National Forest (770) 297-3000
Cherokee National Forest (423) 476-9700
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area (423) 286-7275
Fishing
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has about 2,115 miles of streams within its boundaries, and protects one of the last wild trout habitats in the eastern United States. The park offers a wide variety of angling experiences from remote, headwater trout streams to large, coolwater smallmouth bass streams. Most streams remain at or near their carrying capacity of fish and offer a great opportunity to catch these species throughout the year.Fishing is permitted year-round in the park, from 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset. The park allows fishing in most streams. Certain posted streams are closed to fishing, to protect threatened fishes. Detailed information, including a complete list of regulations and a map of fishable park waters, is available at any visitor center or ranger station.You must possess a valid fishing license or permit from either Tennessee or North Carolina. Either state license is valid throughout the park and no trout stamp is required. Fishing licenses and permits are not available in the park, but may be purchased in nearby towns. Special permits are required for fishing in Gatlinburg and Cherokee.
Information compliments of the National Park Service.
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