4 Kid Friendly Hiking Trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

4 Kid Friendly Hiking Trails In Great Smoky Mountains National Park

On July 14, 2023

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the #1 visited national park in the U.S. and home to spectacular scenery, historic buildings and some of nature’s finest playgrounds. With more than 800 miles of trails to explore, hiking is a fun and affordable activity the whole family can enjoy. And no visit to Pigeon Forge is complete without a visit to the Great Smoky Mountains!

The park is home to several hiking trails that allow you to enjoy the mountains at your own pace. Turn your hike into a game or scavenger hunt and see who can find the most different leaves, plants or flowers. Spend a day exploring nature and enjoying the great outdoors together on these kid friendly hiking trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

1. Gatlinburg Trail

The Gatlinburg Trail is easy to get to and perfect for a first-time hiking experience. Pets and bikes are allowed on this one too. You’ll begin your hike along the Gatlinburg Trail starting from the Sugarlands Visitor Center. The trail is relatively flat and follows along the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River for about 2 miles. Along the way, you will see a small waterfall, a nice footbridge and pieces from several old homesites. Hike at your own pace and enjoy!

Trail Location: Sugarlands Visitor Center
Roundtrip Length: 3.9 Miles
Trail Difficulty Rating: 4.37 (easy)
GPS Coordinates for Trailhead: 35.68579 -83.53677

2. Porters Creek Trail

The Porters Creek trailhead is located in Greenbrier Cove. The trail makes a great hike any time of the year due to its lower elevation. Porters Creek Trail starts off on an old gravel road and runs along Porters Creek. As you make your way along the hiking trail from the parking lot to Porters Flat, you’ll see remnants of the Elbert Cantrell farmstead, Ownby Cemetery, the John Messer farm site and more. And if you happen to visit during the spring season, be on the lookout for all the beautiful spring wildflowers beginning to bloom.

Trail Location: Greenbrier
Roundtrip Length: 4.0 Miles
Trail Difficulty Rating: 5.4 (moderate)
GPS Coordinates for Trailhead: 35.69696 -83.38773

3. Laurel Falls

The Laurel Falls trail is a 2.3-mile round trip and considered to be one of the best waterfall hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains! Laurel Falls Trail is paved but rocky and uneven, and there are a few steep drop-offs as you get closer to the falls, so wear appropriate shoes and keep small children close. Once you reach the 80-foot waterfall, you will find a bridge that is a great spot for taking family pictures. To make these pictures even better, visit Laurel Falls in the early morning or late afternoon to capture the best lighting in the area.

Note: Laurel Falls Trail is expected to close for construction beginning in November 2024 and lasting for 18 months. Please consider alternative hikes if you are visiting during this time. LEARN MORE–>

Trail Location: Little River Road
Roundtrip Length: 2.3 Miles
Trail Difficulty Rating: 2.93 (easy)
GPS Coordinates for Trailhead: 35.67208 – 83.58068

4. Andrew’s Bald Hiking Trail

Andrews Bald Hiking Trail is a 1.8-mile hike each way and relatively easy to navigate. The hike begins with a descent down Forney Ridge from the Kuwohi (formerly known as Clingmans Dome) parking lot and ends on an upward hike into Andrews Bald, a grassy meadow, which is also the highest bald in the park. You may find patches of wild berries and beautiful wildflowers, but best of all, some amazing views of the Great Smoky Mountains. It’s also a great spot to stop and enjoy a picnic with the family.

Trail Location: Kuwohi Area (formerly known as Clingmans Dome)
Roundtrip Length: 3.5 Miles
Trail Difficulty Rating: 5.30 (moderate)
GPS Coordinates for Trailhead: 35.55646 -83.49591

Exploring has never been so fun! Get those hiking shoes ready and check out one of these great Smoky Mountain hiking trails for kids on your next visit to Pigeon Forge.

Visit Pigeon Forge and get your adventure started!! We love seeing Pigeon Forge through your lens. Make sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. Don’t forget to tag your photos with #mypigeonforge for the chance to be featured on our website.