PLAN WITH LEANNE

For spring break we decided to make the 10 hour trip from Michigan to the Great Smoky Mountains. We (my kids were almost 4, 6, and 8) planned to camp and luckily I was able to get a campsite at Elkmont Campground located in the Park near the Sugarlands Visitor Center. We spent 3.5 days in the Smoky Mountains and they were busy – not only because the Smokies are the most visited National Park- but because its a huge park and there is alot to do!

Day 1: We arrived on a Tuesday afternoon and decided to hit up the Sugarlands Visitor Center to get the Junior Ranger Badge packet and hike the Cataracts Fall. If you have not heard of the Junior Ranger Badges check out the National Park website. In a majority of parks the kids have to complete a number of activities (depending on the age). Once completed they take it to the Visitor Center and the Park Ranger talks with them about being a junior ranger and award them with a badge (unique to each park) and perform a little ceremony. Its our favorite thing to do in National Parks!

Cataract Falls is the easiest waterfall hike in the park. It is about a mile out and back and easy for kids to do. You could push a stroller if you want to- but there are a couple spots you might need do some maneuvering. Great start to see how your kids do hiking! Speaking of kids hiking- make sure you get them this so they stay hydrated and have a place for all their snacks!

Day 2: We made a morning reservation for Horseback Riding at Davy Crockett Riding Stables. (reservations are not required but they do get busy!) This was the only place we could find that allowed double-riders so I was able to ride with my 3 year old. Hands down a favorite of the trip. We opted for the hour ride and we could easily have gone longer.

For lunch we stopped at a picnic area on the river- and the kids played easily for almost an hour. Something about the water and different stones to walk on kept them very entertained.

Afterwards we headed to Laurel Falls. This is a 2.6mi round trip hike and it is busy! It is a paved trail- although in alot of spots the paved portion is falling apart. We brought our stroller along and glad we did because it was tiring for the younger kids. At the top you can put your feet into the water and play but it was so crowded at the top I didn’t feel safe having them play in it.

Day 3: We woke up and headed to Clingmans Dome, which we also used the stroller. Its a paved path to the top but its a steep incline! We took multiple stops to make it to the top. But its worth it when you do! It leads to an observation tower where you can see North Carolina on one side and Tennessee on the other. Definitely worth it.

For the afternoon we headed into Gatlinburg for HillBilly Golf and Dolly Parton Stampede. Hillbilly golf was fun and unique! You ride a tram up the side of the mountain and play 18holes of golf on the side of a mountain. It was very cool- and also busy- (they don’t take reservations and so we waited in line for almost 45min)- but honestly everything in Gatlinburg is crazy busy! There are so many tourist attractions but the only one I wanted to do was the Dolly Parton Stampede! It was worth it for me- I loved seeing the horse tricks – but the second half they did alot of audience participation and that wasn’t as exciting.

Day 4: Our last day- they had just opened up the Grotto Falls hike so we decided to do that. Not only because we were hoping it wouldn’t be too busy (it was drizzling outside) but because you get to hike behind a waterfall! It was a a 2.6mi roundtrip hike but not strenuous at all, and definitely not stroller- friendly. Our kids did it albeit with complaining and a bribe for candy at the end. It was my favorite hike by far.

Lastly, before calling it a day – we went to Daisy Town to explore. This is a row of old 1920s houses that wealthy people summered at before the Smoky Mountains were the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. These houses have been restored and are completely open to go into and explore. My kids loved running from house to house and room to room deciding which room would be their bedroom. We definitely could have spent a long time here exploring all the houses.

We had a great time to at the Smoky Mountains! Another day or two would have been great but we packed it as much as we could for such a big park!

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