4 Places in the Smoky Mountains You Need to Visit on Your Next Vacation - Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals

1. Cades Cove

Cades Cove is the most popular destination inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Cades Cove is an 11 mile loop that you can navigate by car, bike, or even horseback. Millions of visitors come every year because the beauty of Cades Cove is inspirational and peaceful. Along the 11 mile loop you’ll come across many historic structures like churches, cabins, a mill, and a barn. The area offers fantastic views of the Smoky Mountains, and many visitors are treated with sightings of local wildlife like deer and bears. Don’t forget to stop by the visitors center to learn all about Cades Cove! It is an area of the park dripping in beauty and Appalachian history. Cades Cove is under an hour's drive from our Gatlinburg cabins.

2. Alum Cave Trail

Alum Cave is a very unique trail in the park, full of neat and fascinating rock formations. The trail is 4.4 miles round trip. There are three highlighting features of the Alum Cave Trail. First, after a little over a mile into the trail you will come across Arch Rock. You will get to actually climb up and through the naturally formed rock! Second, is Inspiration Point. Here you can see incredible views of the Smokies, so it’s a great place for some pictures! Lastly, is Alum Cave, which isn’t actually a cave at all! Instead it is a concaved bluff that is over 80 feet high! It’s here that you can rest your feet and enjoy a nice lunch or snack.

3. Laurel Falls Trail

You can’t come to the Smokies and not go looking for a waterfall. Laurel Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in the park. It is a two-level waterfall that’s over 80 feet tall! It is deemed as one of the easier trails in the park. The trail up to the waterfall is paved, and is only 2.3 miles roundtrip. The upper and lower levels of the waterfall is divided by a foot bridge made from laurel. This trail is very popular, and does have parking at the trailhead. However, it’s best to arrive early if you would like to beat the crowds.

NOTE: The Laurel Falls Trail is currently closed for a rehabilitation project. It's expected to reopen in the summer of 2026.

4. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Nature Trail is another ideal place inside the park to take in all that the Smoky Mountains have to offer. This motor nature trail is 6 miles long. Running beside the trail is Roaring Fork, one of the largest and fast flowing rivers in the national park. You can come across an old mountain village, the Roaring Fork Cemetery, old log cabins, and an array of wildlife while you explore the trail. Roaring Fork is also the best way to reach the trail heads for Grotto Falls and Rainbow Falls which are two popular waterfall hikes in the park.

Things to Remember:

When hiking in the national park, wear comfortable and protective footwear.

Also when hiking, make sure to stay hydrated! Bring water along with you.

If you run across wildlife, do not approach it.

Make sure to check the national park’s website to keep up with road and trail closures.

Parking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

It's important to know that if you plan to park your vehicle in the national park for longer than 15 minutes to explore these places in the Smoky Mountains, you will need a parking tag. Daily parking passes are only $5 and can be purchased at visitor centers, online, or at kiosks throughout the national park. If you plan to visit across multiple days, a weekly parking pass is $15. Annual parking tags for the national park are $40.

After a day of exploring our beautiful national park and seeing all of these neat places in the Smoky Mountains, the best thing to do is to go back and relax in your cabin! Maybe even soak in a hot tub! Check out our cabin properties today, and you could be exploring and relaxing in the Smokies sooner!