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Michelle Fuson

6 Best Scenic Drives in the Smoky Mountains

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With over 12.5 million visitors in 2019, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited National Park in the United States. One of the easiest and simplest ways to experience the park is by taking one of the many scenic drives in the Smoky Mountains.

Cades Cove is one of the best scenic drives in the smoky mountains
Scenic Drive through Cades Cove

*This post may contain affiliate links which help support this site, but won’t cost you anything extra. Read our full disclaimer.

From swimming holes to historic buildings and beautiful panoramic views, we have listed some of our favorite scenic drives that will show you a little bit of everything that the Smoky Mountains has to offer! 

And of course for those that want a little extra adventure along the way, we have also listed a few side stops with some hiking options to check out while you are out on your drive!

Click here to get your free checklist of
family friendly hikes in the smokies!

Learn More About the Great Smoky Mountains!

There is so much to see and do while visiting the Great Smoky Mountains! From camping in Elkmont to family-friendly hiking to exploring Cades Cove, you definitely will not run out of things to see and do!

While one of our favorite things to do is just enjoy some of the best scenic drives in the Smoky Mountains, be sure to do some research and find other unique places to explore while you are visiting!

Here are a few great resources to learn more about the Great Smoky Mountains:

Lonely Planet Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Moon Great Smoky Mountain National Park

For more history and information about the Smokies, be sure to check out more Great Smoky Mountains Books and Guides here!

The Best Scenic Drives in the Smoky Mountains

1. Cades Cove Loop Road

Directions: Cades Cove Scenic Loop Road, Townsend, TN

One of the most popular scenic drives in the Smoky Mountains is Cades Cove. This 11 mile one-way loop road takes you by historic cabins, churches, beautiful views, and so much more!

One of the views from Cades Cove scenic drives in the smoky mountains

This drive gives you a look back into the rich history of the early settlers of Cades Cove. Be sure to grab an Auto Tour booklet ($1.00) at the entrance that shows you all of the main places of interest.

Take time to stop at a few of the cabins or churches along the way to get a good picture of what the early settler life was like. Be sure to keep an eye out along the way for deer, bears, turkeys and other wildlife that are often seen in this area.

Stop at the Cades Cove Visitor Center while on your scenic drives in the smoky mountains

About halfway around the loop, be sure to stop at the Cades Cove Visitor center. Here you can see the Grist Mill and more historic buildings.

scenic drives in the smoky mountains offer sights of grist mills and more!

Be sure to check the hours on the nps.gov site as the loop is closed to motor vehicles on Wednesday and Saturday mornings until 10am to allow for hiking and biking of Cades Cove.

*PICNIC OPTION* Be sure to pack a lunch and enjoy a little riverside picnic in the Cades Cove picnic area while you’re there as well!

Hiking Opportunities:

  • Elijah Oliver Homesite – And if you are up for a short hike, check out the Elijah Oliver homesite (1.0 mile roundtrip) that can be found midway around the loop.
  • Abrams Falls – Or for a more challenging hike, check out Abrams Falls (5.2 miles roundtrip) which is a beautiful 20 ft waterfall. This hike can also be found near the halfway point of the loop road.

2. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

Directions: Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN

This 5.5 mile long loop, one-way, offers some beautiful views of mountain streams and old growth forests, along with some great hiking and historic buildings! Be sure to purchase an Auto Tour booklet at the beginning of the trail to read more about the history of the area.

For optimal viewing of the Roaring Fork’s gorgeous cascades, try to visit during a more wet season or after a recent rain.

The Roaring Fork is one of the most scenic drives in the smoky mountains

And make sure you look for the “Place of a Thousand Drips” that you will find along the roadside closer towards the end at Stop #15.

Another fun place of interest towards the end of Roaring Fork is the privately owned, Ely’s Mill which offers more unique history of the area. It’s also a great place to stop by to visit and grab some unique handmade souvenirs from the Smokies.

Be sure to check the nps.gov site for seasonal closures as the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is closed for several months during the winter season.

Hiking Opportunities:

  • Rainbow Falls – For a more challenging hike, try the Rainbow Falls trail that leads you to an 80 ft waterfall. This is a 5.4 mile roundtrip hike that is definitely considered more difficult. 
Rainbow Falls is on one of the scenic drives in the smoky mountains
  • Grotto Falls – Another great option that is only moderate in difficulty is the Grotto Falls trail. It is a 2.6 miles roundtrip hike where you can actually walk behind the waterfall!

3. Foothills Parkway

Directions: Southwest Entrance at Chilhowee Lake or Northeast Entrance in Walland or Wears Valley Entrance

From the lake to the mountains, the Foothills Parkway is a great place to see many of the beautiful features of the Smokies. With a total of 33 miles from Chilhowee Lake to Wears Valley, this drive offers amazing views right from your own car!

foothills parkway is one of the most scenic drives in the smoky mountains

Beginning at the Southwest Entrance at Chilhowee Lake, you can drive this 17 mile portion up to the Northeast Entrance in Walland.  

The section from Walland to Wears Valley is what’s called the “Missing Link of the Foothills Parkway.” This section travels from Walland to Wears Valley for 16 miles along the edge of the mountains and offers incredible views of the surrounding areas. You can read more about exploring the Foothills Parkway Missing Link here.

view from one of the scenic drives in the smoky mountains

If you are coming from the Wears Valley area, you can go half way (16 miles) to the Walland area. Or continue on to Chilhowee Lake for the full 33 miles.

There are so many ways to experience the Foothills Parkway! Plan to drive at least part of it at some point as it really is one of the most scenic drives in the Smoky Mountains!

Hiking Options:

  • Look Rock Tower – Between Chilhowee Lake and Walland, you can also stop by and do a short hike (1 mile roundtrip) to Look Rock Tower. The view at the tower offers 360 degree panoramic views of the Smoky Mountains and is worth the quick trek!
Click here to get your free checklist of
family friendly hikes in the smokies!

4. Newfound Gap Road

Directions: Start at Sugarlands Visitors Center, Gatlinburg, TN to Ocanulftee Visitor Center, Cherokee, NC

From the Sugarlands Visitor Center in Gatlinburg, TN to the Ocanaluftee Visitor Center in Cherokee, NC, the Newfound Gap Road drive is about 31 miles. The Newfound Gap Road ascends about 3,000 feet.

It is the lowest drivable pass at 5,046 feet in the Great Smoky Mountains! There are so many incredible opportunities to experience the Smokies along this drive!

*PICNIC OPTION* As you begin from the Gatlinburg side, you will pass the Chimney Tops Picnic Area on your right. This is a great place to stop for a picnic and play in the river!

scenic drives in the smoky mountains visit the chimneys picnic area

From Sugarlands Visitor Center, Newfound Gap is about 13 miles and is a great stop along the way! You can hop out and snap a quick picture at the state line of North Carolina and Tennessee. Be sure to walk to the overlook and take in the magnificent views!

This is also where the Rockefeller Memorial is located where President Franklin Roosevelt dedicated the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

Stop by Rockefeller Memorial on the scenic drives in the smoky mountains

Immediately after that, you will pass Clingmans Dome Road (more on that below!) This is where you will find the highest peak in the Smokies! (Save this drive for another time!)

As you travel on, you will find several more overlooks to take in the beautiful views of the mountains. As you get closer to Cherokee, keep an eye out for Elk as they are often seen roaming along the roadside at times!

Once you make it to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, stop by and check out the history of this area! The Visitor Center also neighbors the Mountain Farm Museum, which is also worth exploring at some point.

Ocanaluftee Visitor Center is a stop on one of the scenic drives in the smoky mountains

Double check road closures at NPS.gov beforehand because Newfound Road is sometimes closed during the winter due to weather!

Hiking Opportunities:

  • Chimney Tops Trail or Alum Cave Trail – In the stretch between Sugarlands and Newfound Gap, you have several hiking options. From the Chimney Tops trail (4 miles roundtrip), to the Alum Cave trail (that will also lead you to Mt. Leconte, the park’s 3rd highest peak), there are plenty of great trails in this area.
  • Mingo Falls – If you make the complete drive to Cherokee, you can see one of the tallest waterfalls in the Appalachian Mountains, Mingo Falls. It is less than 1 mile (roundtrip) to see the 120 ft waterfall.
  • Deep Creek Waterfalls Loop – Head on over to the Deep Creek area and hike the Deep Creek Waterfalls Loop. This hike is about 2.2 miles roundtrip and you can see 3 spectacular waterfalls all within a short distance! 

5. Little River Road Drive

Directions: Start at Sugarlands Visitors Center, Gatlinburg, TN drive to the Towsend, Wye, Townsend, TN (or keep going to Cades Cove Scenic Loop Road, Townsend, TN)

From the Sugarlands Visitor Center to the Townsend Wye, it is about 17 miles. Along this route, you will pass several fun places to explore along the way!

About 12 miles from Sugarlands, you will pass the Sinks on your left which are beautiful anytime of year! It is easy to find as there is a designated parking area. It is also relatively congested during peak times.

the Sinks is on one of the scenic drives in the smoky mountains

Travel another mile from the Sinks (about 13 miles from Sugarlands) and you will pass Meigs Falls on your left.

It is a little more off the road, so keep your eyes peeled as not to miss this beauty! There is also a pull-off that you can stop and take a picture of the falls.

*PICNIC OPTION* Be sure to pack a lunch with you and stop by Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area. This is a great place year round to enjoy a picnic.

Even if you don’t make any stops, the drive itself is beautiful and winds along the edge of the Little River and offers many gorgeous sights. 

scenic drives in the smoky mountains along the Little River

Once you make it to the Townsend Wye, if warm weather allows, stop and take a little swim in this popular swimming hole. Or continue on straight ahead towards Cades Cove for more exploring!

From the Townsend Wye, Cades Cove is an additional 8 miles.

*SIDE-TRIP OPTION*– Along the stretch between the Townsend Wye and Cades Cove, you can take a left onto Tremont Road to see more beautiful river views. Be sure to stop in at the Great Smoky Mountain Institute of Tremont while you are there as well!

Hiking Opportunities:

  • Cataract Falls – At the Sugarlands Visitor Center, there is a quick and easy nature trail that you can follow to Cataract Falls (1 mile roundtrip).
  • Laurel Falls – About 3.8 miles from the Sugarlands, you will find the Laurel Falls hiking trail (2.6 miles roundtrip). Be sure to plan ahead as it is one of the most popular waterfall hikes in the Smokies.
scenic drives in the smoky mountains Hike Option to Laurel Falls
  • Explore Elkmont – Another unique area to explore nearby is the Elkmont Historic District near the Elkmont Campground. It has everything from a Troll Bridge, old homesites and chimneys to plenty more hiking options as well!
  • Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse – From the Metcalf Bottoms picnic area, you can also take a short hike (1.2 miles) to the Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse.
  • Spruce Flats Falls – From the Great Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont, you will also find another great hike to Spruce Flats Falls. This hike is 2 miles roundtrip and takes you to the 30 foot waterfall that is absolutely gorgeous!

6. Clingmans Dome Road

Directions: Newfound Gap to the Clingmans Dome Visitor Center

Right around the corner from Newfound Gap (see #4 above), you will find Clingman’s Dome Road. This road has several beautiful pull offs along the way that offer amazing views of the Great Smoky Mountains. 

The Clingmans Dome Road is about 7 miles one way and is closed during the winter months. Be sure to check the road closures before you head that way!

scenic drives in the smoky mountains clingmans dome view

Clingmans Dome is one of the most popular places to visit in the Smoky Mountains, so try to get there earlier in the day or on a weekday if at all possible. 

The view from the Clingmans Dome Visitor Center area and parking lot is absolutely breathtaking. Stop in the Visitor Center and chat with a Park Ranger to learn more about the area. And be sure to get a stamp in your National Park Passport book while you’re there as well!

sunset at Clingmans Dome scenic drives in the smoky mountains

And if you happen to be there around sunset, be sure to stick around to see it! It’s a beautiful place to experience a Smoky Mountain sunset!

Hiking Opportunities:

  • Clingmans Dome Tower – For some extra panoramic views of the Smokies, head on up the trail for a 1 mile roundtrip hike to the Clingmans Dome Tower. While this is a paved trail, some find it a little challenging due to the rather steep incline. Be sure to allow plenty of time and be prepared for any temperature changes as the elevation does make a difference especially in the cooler seasons.
Click here to get your free checklist of
family friendly hikes in the smokies!

Final Thoughts

There are many ways to see and experience the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Be sure to take time to do at least one of theses scenic drives in the Smoky Mountains next time you are in the area!

And if you have more favorite scenic drives to add to the list, be sure to comment below! We love finding new ways to see the Great Smoky Mountains!

More Related Articles:

Laurel Falls Trail – Hike to Laurel Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains

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Looking for a beautiful waterfall hike in the Great Smoky Mountains? While there are SO many to choose from, the Laurel Falls Trail is easily one of the most popular hiking trails in the Smokies!

Keep reading for more tips on where to find this waterfall and things you need to know before you head that way!

Laurel Falls
Laurel Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains

*This post may contain affiliate links which help support this site, but won’t cost you anything extra. Read our full disclaimer.

Hiking in the Smoky Mountains

As with any National Park, before you head out to explore, it never hurts to have on-hand some reliable and trustworthy resources for easy reference.

Here are a few of our favorite pocket guides about hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains:

Hiking Trails of the Smokies

Day Hikes of the Smokies

Waterfalls of the Smokies

For more history and information about the Smokies, be sure to check out more Great Smoky Mountains Books and Guides here!

Laurel Falls Hike – Trail Information

  • Round Trip Length: 2.6 miles
  • Trail Location: On Little River Road (between Elkmont & Sugarlands)
  • Directions: Laurel Falls Trailhead
  • Trail Features: Waterfall
  • Round Trip Hours: 1 – 2 hours

The Laurel Falls hike is considered easy to moderate (depends on who you ask!). The total elevation gain on the hike is about 314 feet.

This is one trail in the park that is actually paved. However, it is very rocky and uneven on many parts, so it is NOT ideal for strollers! (Although we still saw many brave souls attempting it…it is DEFINITELY not recommended!)

Hiking on the Laurel Falls Trail is rocky in some places

Laurel Falls is named after the beautiful mountain laurels that bloom in this area in May. Be sure to keep an eye out for mountain laurels that might be blooming during the spring.

The waterfall itself is about 80 feet in height. Laurel Branch flows on down the side of the mountain creating an upper and lower section. The trail actually crosses over the section between the upper and lower and is a really unique feature of this waterfall!

Click here to get your free checklist of
family friendly hikes in the smokies!

Why is Laurel Falls Trail Paved?

This trail was originally created to allow easy access to the Cove Mountain fire tower. The trail was completed in 1932 and the fire tower was completed three years later in 1935.

By the early 1960’s, the trail was experiencing quite a bit of erosion as it had become a very popular hiking trail for visitors. Part of the 1963 Accelerated Works Project grant by the Department of Interior was responsible for paving the Laurel Falls Trail in hopes to prevent further erosion.

Laurel Falls Trail is a Paved trail

How Do I Get to Laurel Falls?

If you are using your GPS to locate the Laurel Falls Trailhead you can type in “Laurel Falls Trailhead.” (However, be sure to choose the one in Sevierville, TN as not to be confused with another Laurel Falls in another part of Tennessee!)

Also, keep in mind that many areas of the park do not typically have reception, so be sure to have your directions saved somewhere, just in case!

Laurel Falls Trail Parking Sign

From the Sugarlands Visitor Center, it is about 3.8 miles to the parking lot for Laurel Falls. From this direction, the parking area will be on your right. (Although there is additional parking across the road as well!)

From the Townsend Wye intersection near Cades Cove, the Laurel Falls trailhead is about 14 miles.

Parking tends to fill up rather quickly during peak seasons, so be patient if parking is challenging. To avoid crowds, try getting there early in the day, on a weekday or try to visit during the non-peak season.

Hiking to Laurel Falls!

Locating the Laurel Falls Trailhead

From the parking lot, you should be able to see the trailhead rather easily. It’s marked well and is right off of the main parking area.

Laurel Falls Trailhead

And you can also read the sign about the Self-Guiding Nature Trail.

Laurel Falls Nature Trail

Or you can purchase a nature trail guide to take with you for $.50.

Nature Trail Guides

Take a minute to get a group photo before you head down the trail!

Family Picture at the Laurel Falls Trail sign

On the Trail

Once on the trail, you will notice numbered trail markers along the way. They most likely go along with the Nature Trail Guide…but we haven’t actually ever done it, so I can’t confirm that.

(Either way, number 11 is the one at Laurel Falls! So you can at least keep up with your progress that way!)

Trail Markers on Laurel Falls Trail

There are a couple of pretty cascades that you will pass over as you head up the mountain.

Laurel Falls Branch on the Laurel Falls Trail

As you start ascending, you will see some beautiful views over to the left of the mountains.

View from Laurel Falls Trail
Beautiful View on the Laurel Falls Trail

As you get further along on the hike, there are quite a few steep drop-offs along the trail, especially as you get closer to Laurel Falls. Be sure to keep an eye on the younger ones in your group and remind them to stay away from the edge!

Danger Sign on the Laurel Falls Trail

Bears

Another thing to take into consideration is bears! Be sure to brush up on what to do if I see a bear before you head that way as this area has been known for having bear activity at times!

Click here to get your free checklist of
family friendly hikes in the smokies!

At Laurel Falls

Once you arrive at the falls, you will see a beautiful bridge nestled right at the foot of the upper cascade.

At Laurel Falls

As you walk up closer to the falls, you can see the lower cascades below to your left and the upper cascades to your right.

Lower Cascades on Laurel Falls Trail

Be sure to take some time to walk across the bridge to the other side if the water flow isn’t too strong!

(Just remember to be careful as some of the rocks can be very slippery when wet!)

The flow of the waterfall definitely depends on the amount of recent rainfall.

Laurel Falls with Lots of Rainfall
Laurel Falls with Less Rainfall

Either way, Laurel Falls is always beautiful no matter what time of year you visit!

A Few Things To Consider

  • Although it is a shorter hike, the elevation gain can be challenging for some that are not used to hiking in the mountains. Take your time and let everyone in your group enjoy the journey!
  • There are not any restrooms at the Laurel Falls trailhead, so be sure to plan out bathroom breaks accordingly. Stop by the Sugarlands Visitor Center or the Elkmont Campground area beforehand to prevent any emergencies!
Click here to get your free checklist of
family friendly hikes in the smokies!

Final Thoughts

Laurel Falls trail is worth the short 2.6 mile (roundtrip) trek to see this beautiful waterfall. It is easy to access near the Sugarlands Visitor Center and is one of the favorite hikes of many visitors when they come to the Great Smoky Mountains! 

What about you? Have you been to Laurel Falls before? What are your favorite waterfall hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains? Be sure to share your comments below!

More Related Articles:

Best Things To Do on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon

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Looking to plan a trip to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon? The Grand Canyon is one of those places that you always hear that you just HAVE to visit in person to appreciate the grandeur.

Well, no doubt, after finally checking the Grand Canyon off of our family bucket list, we walked away with so much appreciation for this incredible place. It is truly a sight to see and without proper planning, you could totally miss some of the most unique features of the Grand Canyon. 

Read on to learn more about some of our favorite things that we did on our visit to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, so you can make the most of every minute when you go!

best things to do south rim grand canyon first look
View from the South Rim Grand Canyon

*This post may contain affiliate links (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link we may earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more!) Read our full disclaimer.

Where is the Grand Canyon?

I’m not gonna lie…I wasn’t actually sure what state the Grand Canyon was in. Over in the eastern part of the U.S., everything just seems “out west” to us! So in case you are wondering, the Grand Canyon itself is located in the northwestern part of Arizona but is very close to the borders of Utah and Nevada.

About Grand Canyon National Park

With 6.4 million visitors in 2018, the Grand Canyon National Park is the second most visited National Park in the United States.

best things to do south rim grand canyon national park sign

Theodore Roosevelt declared the Grand Canyon a National Monument in 1909. However, the Grand Canyon didn’t officially become a National Park until 1919 when a bill was passed and signed by President Woodrow Wilson.

South Rim vs. North Rim

The Grand Canyon National Park has two parts: the South Rim and the North Rim.

Depending on your itinerary, many people will fly into Las Vegas or Phoenix and head up to the South Rim. The South Rim is by far the most visited part of the Grand Canyon.

If you wish to see both the North and South Rims, it is about a 4-5 hour drive between the two.

The North Rim’s peak season is May 15 – Oct 15. If you travel outside of that window then you may run into road closures and limited programs. Be sure to check the nps.gov site for up to date closures and information.

While there are SO many different ways to see the Grand Canyon on a trip out west, be sure to do plenty of research to decide if you will be going to the South Rim or the North Rim (or both?!?).

For us, we ended up only going to the South Rim so we will be covering the Grand Canyon South Rim extensively in this article!

Planning for a Trip to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon

It’s always good to be prepared and have a plan of attack before you get there. Here are several travel guides that we found to be VERY helpful as we mapped out our itinerary.

Fodor’s Arizona & The Grand Canyon

DK Eyewitness Arizona & The Grand Canyon

Moon Arizona & The Grand Canyon

How to Get to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon

As we started researching, there are SO many ways to get to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Two of the most popular that we came across were from Las Vegas and Phoenix.

Las Vegas Itinerary

Many people will start in Las Vegas and drive up making a stop at Hoover Dam and several other places along the way to the Grand Canyon. You can then head on up to Page, AZ to see Antelope Canyons and then Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park. That itinerary will get you back to your starting point, Las Vegas.

Phoenix Itinerary

Other itineraries may include flying into Phoenix and driving up to the Grand Canyon and also exploring more of the surrounding areas like Sedona, Flagstaff, and Page (Antelope Canyon). There are also plenty of other places to explore in the lower part of Arizona as well, like the Petrified Forest National Park, Sunset Crater Volcano and even the Meteor Crater in Winslow.

Train or Helicopter?

You can also ride the Grand Canyon Train out of Williams, AZ. Or take a helicopter ride to see the Grand Canyon from a different perspective.

There are so many ways to plan a trip to the Grand Canyon. Pick a starting point and start mapping out all of your must sees!

Hours of Operation & Park Entrance Fees

The Grand Canyon South Rim is open 24 hours a day and 365 days a year!

Whether you are staying in the Grand Canyon or on the outskirts, to access the park via car, you will have to pass through a toll booth to pay the entrance fees.

best things to do south rim grand canyon toll booth

Ranging anywhere from $20 (for individual permit) to $35 (for a vehicle and all passengers) for 7 days and includes both the South Rim and the North Rim. Be sure to read more about your options at the nps.gov website before you head that way.

There are also several annual pass options that may be worth looking into if you plan to visit any other parks with entrance fees. (America the Beautiful Pass, Military Pass, etc.)

*TIP! And if you happen to have a student in the 4th grade, your student is eligible for the “Every Kid Outdoors” 4th Grade Pass that will get you and your family into most National Parks for free! (Read more here!)

Best Times to Visit the South Rim of the Grand Canyon

The best times to visit the Grand Canyon South Rim are during the months of March through May and September through November. If you visit during these times, you will be more likely to have cooler temperatures and thinner crowds.

If you do plan to visit during the summer months, be ready for higher crowd levels as well as warmer temperatures as this is the most popular time to visit the South Rim.

And if you go during the winter months, you will have better lodging availability. Be sure to plan ahead for visiting the Grand Canyon during winter and be prepared for cold weather and possible snow!

Where to Stay

Lodging inside the Grand Canyon National Park often gets booked up during the peak seasons. Several lodges are actually within walking distance of the South Rim.

The lodging inside the park includes the Bright Angel Lodge, El Tovar Hotel, Kachina Lodge, Thunderbird Lodge, the Maswik Lodge and the Yavapai Lodge. Try to book your reservations 4-6 months in advance if interested in some of these options.

There are also a few hotels in the Tusayan area. From there it is about a 15 minute drive to the South Rim (7 miles south of the Grand Canyon Village).

The Grand Hotel, Holiday Inn Express and Best Western Canyon Squire Inn are several options. Read more about all of the options at the Grand Canyon Chamber and Visitor’s Bureau.

And if you are more of the camping type, there are several options for camping inside the park. Check out the different campground options at the South Rim on the nps.gov website.

Best Things To Do at the South Rim Grand Canyon Visitor Center 

Upon arriving at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, one of the first things you will want to do is stop by the Grand Canyon National Park Visitor Center, located at the South Entrance Road.

best things to do south rim grand canyon visitor center

This is a great place to familiarize yourself to the area. 

Get a Pocket Map

Be sure to pick-up a Pocket Map of the South Rim while you are there as well! (Or click here to access it from the NPS website.)

best things to do south rim grand canyon visitor center map

Become a Junior Ranger!

Be sure to grab the Junior Ranger book at the visitor center so your kids can earn the Grand Canyon Junior Ranger badge.

Most of the requirements can be completed by doing many of the activities right around the visitor center. And it is a fun keepsake to take home!

Attend a Park Ranger Program

Check on the posted schedule for the Park Ranger Programs. (Or you can check the nps website.)

best things to do south rim grand canyon ranger talk

We went to the “Critter Chat” and learned about some of the wildlife in the area. (Side note…did you know that the squirrel is the most dangerous animal at the Grand Canyon?)

Get a “Passport to Your National Parks” Cancellation Stamp

And of course, get your cancellation for your ‘Passport to Your National Parks’ passport book!

best things to do south rim grand canyon passport stamp

You can also find out what locations to visit to get specific Passport cancellations. (We got 6 out of the 7 stamps while there!)

best things to do south rim grand canyon passport locations

Plan a Hike and Talk to a Park Ranger

Also, you can inquire more about any trails or hikes that you were planning to take while there. The Park Rangers are at the desk to answer any questions.

And there are also plenty of signs posted to read more about the area trails. (Along with how many sandwiches you need for each hike!)

best things to do south rim grand canyon hiking sign

Watch a Grand Canyon Movie

They also have a great film, “Grand Canyon: a Journey of Wonder,” in the theater that plays every 30 minutes or so. There is a countdown above the theater door so you know when the next showing starts.

The film was very informative and gave us plenty more info to think about while we were there. It was also a great place to take a break and get out of the heat if needed!

best things to do south rim grand canyon journey of Wonder movie

There is also an 8 minute presentation called “The Canyon World” that was projected onto a giant globe, which was pretty cool, too!

best things to do south rim grand canyon world

Get a Souvenir

Another place to check out right across from the Visitor Center is the Grand Canyon Conservancy Park Store. This is a great place to check out some souvenirs!

Take Your First Look at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon

Once you are ready to venture to the rim and take your first peek at the Grand Canyon, head down the clearly marked walkways.

best things to do south rim grand canyon first look walking out

It was pretty surreal to take our first look at the Grand Canyon. It just didn’t even seem real. After taking it in for a few minutes, we spotted Mather Point and decided to head that way.

best things to do south rim grand canyon first look

This is a very popular overlook of the Grand Canyon and often the first look at the Grand Canyon for many (us included!). It is named after Stephen Tyng Mather who helped lay the foundation of the National Park Service. I would say that’s pretty cool to have a Grand Canyon overlook named after you.

best things to do south rim grand canyon Mather Point

This is a beautiful overlook of the Grand Canyon. And also a great place to take your first family picture to document it! 

best things to do south rim grand canyon family picture

Ride the Grand Canyon Shuttle Buses

After you are ready to move on from the Visitor Center area, you can make your way to the Shuttle Bus pickup area.

best things to do south rim grand canyon shuttle buses

(Don’t mind that guy, he was just protesting a restaurant…)

The Shuttle Buses were a little intimidating at first, but once you figure out their path and the stops they make, it’s actually pretty easy. They have signs posted to help you figure out which bus route you want to take. You can also read online on the National Park Service website (Link: https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/shuttle-buses.htm) beforehand to map out your plan of attack!

best things to do south rim grand canyon shuttle bus

(Tip – The Pocket Map is also super helpful for navigating the Bus Routes. Be sure to grab one at the Visitor’s Center if you didn’t get one when you went through the Park Entrance Booth.)

Visit the Grand Canyon Village

The next area that we explored was the area called “The Village” which has restaurants, shopping, lodging and many more spectacular views of the Grand Canyon. 

While you definitely can walk down the South Rim Trail from the Visitor Center, we actually jumped aboard the Shuttle Bus and hopped off near the Hopi House.

The Hopi House

This unique house is actually a Natural Historic Landmark. 

best things to do south rim grand canyon Hopi House

We enjoyed reading the history. And it had some really interesting souvenirs (many made by Native Americans).  We had a fun time exploring in the Hopi House and we even found a new friend along the way.

best things to do south rim grand canyon Hopi House inside

Verkamp’s Visitor Center

best things to do south rim grand canyon Verkamps

Right next door, you will find the Verkamp’s Visitor Center where you can also get another Passport Cancellation! It also has some fantastic exhibits as well!

best things to do south rim grand canyon Verkamps inside

El Tovar Hotel, Lodges & California Condor!

Once you mosey on down the rim trail a little more, you will pass the El Tovar Hotel and some of the lodges.

best things to do south rim grand canyon El-Tovar

Along this path, we actually lucked out and got to see a California Condor perched out on one of the cliffs, which we of course sat and watched for a little bit!

best things to do south rim grand canyon California Condor

There are also some great signs in this area to read all about the California Condor. The story of saving this nearly extinct bird is pretty incredible. So keep your eyes peeled for one – it definitely is a treat!

best things to do south rim grand canyon California Condor Sign

There are also a ton of great photo opportunities along the way as well.

best things to do south rim grand canyon Family-Pic

Bright Angel Lodge

Once we made it to the Bright Angel Lodge, we grabbed some ice cream and coffee at the little ice cream shop and sat and enjoyed the view for a bit! 

We then headed inside the lodge to check out the gift shop and took a peek at the beautiful architecture!

best things to do south rim grand canyon Bright-Angel-Lodge

It’s really pretty and worth just walking in to take a quick peek!

Lookout Studio

Next we stopped by the Lookout Studio which looks like it is part of the Grand Canyon. It was actually constructed from Kaibab Limestone that was locally quarried to build this beautiful architectural building.

best things to do south rim grand canyon Lookout-Studio

Even upon entering, you will find a little encouragement posted on the outside of the building.

best things to do south rim grand canyon Lookout-Studio-Bible-Verse-Encouragement

After checking out some of the souvenirs, be sure to head outside and explore a little bit!

best things to do south rim grand canyon Lookout-Studio-walking-down

It has some pretty incredible viewing opportunities. 

Kolb Studio

The next stop was the Historic Kolb Studio which was a photographic studio created by the Kolb brothers. 

best things to do south rim grand canyon Kolb-Studio

It is also a gift shop and another place to get a Passport cancellation.

Besides being a gift shop and more beautiful views, you can also see some of the equipment that the Kolb brothers used in their filming endeavors. 

best things to do south rim grand canyon Kolb-Studio Kolb Brothers

Hike on the Bright Angel Trail

Right next to the Kolb Studio is where you will find the Bright Angel Trailhead.

best things to do south rim grand canyon Bright-Angel-Trail-Sign

Even if you don’t plan to do any serious hiking, be sure to walk just a little ways on the trail for a little different perspective. It really is a beautiful trail!

best things to do south rim grand canyon Bright-Angel-Trail

We ended up hiking for a couple of hours and then turned around at one of the suggested stopping points.

best things to do south rim grand canyon Bright-Angel-Trail Hiking

If you do plan to do some serious hiking, be sure to plan accordingly as this is a pretty legit hike. Do your homework and read up on the different hiking options at the Grand Canyon.

(And make sure you have enough sandwiches.)

Visit the Mule Barn

As you are wrapping up your exploration of the Village area, you can also take a little walk across the street to see the Mule Barn which houses the mules that trek on the Grand Canyon Trail.

We saw them hanging out around the barn later in the day after they had returned from their day’s journey. We thought it would be really cool to come back one day and do a mule ride into the Grand Canyon! Maybe next time!

There is also a great informational sign about the mules right next to the Bright Angel Trailhead. We were surprised to learn that most of the mules come from our home state, Tennessee!

The Grand Canyon Railway Train Depot

Also in the same vicinity is where the Grand Canyon Railway stops at the Train Depot. We took a few minutes to check it out and take a quick picture! (No stowaways though!)

best things to do south rim grand canyon Railway-Pic

The Grand Canyon Railway runs from Williams, AZ to the Grand Canyon Village area. Although we didn’t do it this go around, it does look like a fun experience! Read more about the logistics here.

Yavapai Point and Geology Museum

If you are looking for some more in-depth information about the geology of the Grand Canyon, be sure to stop by the Yavapai Geology Museum.

best things to do south rim grand canyon Yavapai-Geology-Museum

The displays are very informative not to mention it has the most amazing windows for viewing the Grand Canyon.

best things to do south rim grand canyon Yavapai-Geology-Museum window

Visit Hermit’s Rest

If you have time, hop aboard a Shuttle Bus for the Hermit’s Rest Route (located near the Bright Angel Trailhead). If the line is pretty long for the shuttle bus, you can always take a little hike on the Rim Trail to get to the first shuttle stop, Trailview Overlook, and hop aboard there instead.

best things to do south rim grand canyon Hiking-along-the-trail-rim-towards-Hermits-Rest

There are several more points (Maricopa Point, Powell Point, Hopi Point, Mohave Point, Pima Point, etc.) along the Hermit’s Rest route with many that offer exceptional views of the Colorado River.

best things to do south rim grand canyon Hopi Point

You definitely could spend a ton of time hopping off at each point, however we chose to just pick a couple and then head on to Hermit’s Rest.

Once you arrive at Hermit’s Rest, this unique rock sign will greet you.

best things to do south rim grand canyon Hermits-Rest

Head on inside and grab some coffee or ice cream and look around. It is a very unique building. Hermit’s Rest was started in 1914 and was the stop you would make after an 8 mile buggy ride.

best things to do south rim grand canyon Hermits-Rest-Coffee-Ice-Cream-maybe_

It was a sweet place to relax and enjoy the peacefulness of the Grand Canyon.

Visit the Desert View Watchtower

On the opposite end of the park, you will find the Desert View Watchtower near the Grand Canyon’s East Entrance.

best things to do south rim grand canyon Desert-View-Watchtower

The Desert View Watchtower is a National Historic Landmark that you can walk inside and see all of the amazing artwork and architectural features.

best things to do south rim grand canyon Desert-View-Inside

The kids loved exploring the inside of this unique building.

best things to do south rim grand canyon Desert-View-Inside 2

There are also some great viewing areas to see a good view of the Colorado River.

best things to do south rim grand canyon Desert-View-can-see-the-Colorado-River

Visit the Tusayan Museum and Ruin

best things to do south rim grand canyon Tusayan-Museum-Building

The Tusayan Museum is a great place to take a peek inside the lives of the ancient Puebloan people. The museum itself has a great display of artifacts to learn more about their daily lives as well as what the agriculture looked like in that day.

best things to do south rim grand canyon Tusayan-Museum-Ancient-Agriculture

There is also a short path you can walk around to see the remains of the pueblo.

Look for Wildlife

Besides keeping an eye out for the California Condors as we already mentioned, there are definitely plenty of other critters and creatures to look for!

The first night that we arrived at the Grand Canyon, there were a ton of Elk grazing alongside the road. We loved looking for these beautiful creatures while we explored in the area.

best things to do south rim grand canyon Elk

Another animal to keep an eye out for is the Mule Deer. We saw some grazing along some of the Shuttle Bus routes several times.

best things to do south rim grand canyon Mule Deer

And of course, be sure to watch out for the most dangerous animal in the Grand Canyon. The SQUIRRELS! Not even kidding…they really are the most dangerous as they can carry the plague! Also, there were a handful of them that were a little too friendly for my liking. So be sure to watch out for those guys!

Watch the Sunrise and Sunset over the Grand Canyon

If time allows, be sure to see either a sunrise or a sunset (or both!)

best things to do south rim grand canyon Sunset

We saw the sunset at Yavapai Point one night and it was pretty amazing.

best things to do south rim grand canyon Watching-a-Sunset

And then we saw the sunrise one morning at Mather Point which was also spectacular.

best things to do south rim grand canyon Sunrise

While there are definitely plenty of places to view the sunrise or sunset, be sure to check the nps.gov website for more suggested locations and updated times!

Bring a Water Bottle for the Water Refill Stations!

Another great tip is to make sure you bring your own water bottle or hydration backpack. There were plenty of water refill stations that you can enjoy clean Grand Canyon spring water! (And help reduce unnecessary waste, as well!)

best things to do south rim grand canyon Water-Refill-Stations

Final Thoughts

There are SO many ways to experience the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Be sure to take your time and make the most of your experience!

After spending several days there, we no doubt have a greater appreciation for one of the seven natural wonders of the world. You just have to see it to understand the grandeur of a place as magnificent as the Grand Canyon.

President Theodore Roosevelt’s words still ring true today…

In the Grand Canyon, Arizona has a natural wonder which is in kind absolutely unparalleled throughout the rest of the world.

-President Theodore Roosevelt

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10 Best STEM Toys for Kids of 2021

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Looking for some of the best STEM toys out there right now? Yeah, we were too! So after MUCH research, we have found some of our favorite STEM toys that have been kid tested and parent approved!

We are all about building strong families and raising kids that are ready to go out into the real world! And we believe that toys can definitely help spark interest in some of the largest growing fields (coding, robotics, engineering, etc) out there!

Playing with a robotic STEM toy
Photo by stem.T4L on Unsplash

While we definitely value traditional school subjects (can’t neglect that readin’, writin’ and ‘rithmetic, young’ns!), we also want to make sure that they are growing in their knowledge of technology, science and the digital world so they will be more in-the-know with an ever changing workforce!

And since there has been a HUGE shift in the types of jobs that are out there now, we would be crazy not to encourage our kids to be up to date on the latest advances in technology. 

The sheer volume of jobs that are available in the digital world now is just amazing! And…most likely many of the jobs that our children will be doing one day…don’t even exist yet!

Doesn’t that blow your mind?!?

So when it comes to preparing your children for the future workforce…where do you begin?

What are STEM Toys?

First things first, you may be wondering what STEM toys are.

STEM stands for:

  • Science
  • Technology
  • Engineering
  • Math

So in short, STEM toys are simply toys that incorporate those main elements one way or another! From coding, to chemistry, to engineering and robotics, there are plenty of toys out there to reinforce these subjects and to spark an interest in the world of STEM!

Why expose them to STEM Toys?

For us, we have found that it is SO important to expose our kids to the latest technology, gadgets and gizmos and talk about the value that they add to our world as a whole. 

The way technology has advanced over the years is just incredible! Do you remember playing on your first Apple computer?!? 

Best STEM Toys Apple Computer

Oregon Trail anyone?

Best STEM Toys Oregon Trail

Or the first robotic-type toys that hit the shelves in the 80’s…

Best STEM Toys Teddy

Do you remember how fascinating and interesting those things were? 

So fast forward…here we are raising children in a digital world. How do we prepare them?

One simple way is by exposing them to toys that encourage and spark that interest in the ever evolving world of STEM. 

Below we have listed 10 highly rated and favorite toys that kids LOVE to tinker and explore with. As always, we will only recommend products we either use ourselves or would personally purchase based off of experience!

Best STEM Toys that Kids Will Love!

*This post may contain affiliate links (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link we may earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more!) Read our full disclaimer.

1. LEGO Star Wars Droid Commander Boost Droid Building Set with R2D2

Best Stem Toy of 2020

Receiving the 2020 “STEM/STEAM Toy of the Year” award, the LEGO Star Wars Boost Droid Building Set with R2D2 will foster a love of building, learning and programming! The LEGO Boost Star Wars app will guide your child through the building process of each droid, step-by-step. Once complete, they can use the app to code the droids and complete missions with some of their favorite Star Wars friends!

Best Stem Toy of 2018

And for another great product in the LEGO Boost line, be sure to check out the LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox that also got the “Toy of the Year” Award in 2018. This 5-in-1 model offers PLENTY of options of things to build and program to keep your child busy for hours!

2. LEGO CITY Deep Space Rocket and Launch Control

Receiving the 2020 “Construction Toy of the Year” award, the LEGO CITY Deep Space Rocket and Launch Control set is an excellent choice for the LEGO lovers in your family! Complete with a launch control tower, monorail, mini LEGO astronauts and so much more, there will be plenty of time for constructing, imagining and playing!

3. Sillbird STEM 12-in-1 Education Solar Robot Toys

Powered by the sun, this is a great educational robotic toy. 12 different building robots that your kiddo can build with two different levels of complexity. And it can move on land or water!

4. Glowing Marble Run

This kit from National Geographic has 5 bases, 45 smooth-run track pieces and 15 action pieces. This fun kit has endless possibilities of configurations that you child can watch the 6 different colored glow in the dark marbles run down the tracks. It teaches about the physics of motion and aerodynamics in a fun and unique way!

5. Sphero SPRK+

Sphero STEM Toy

The Sphero SPRK+ is an app-enabled robot ball that can be programmed and coded for hours of creative play. More than just a robot, it is equipped with Bluetooth and is scratch-resistant and durable – made to last! From beginner to advanced, the Sphero SPRK+ offers plenty of opportunity to learn more about programming and coding!

And be sure to check out these other great options from Sphero!

Sphero RVR: All-Terrain Programmable Coding Robot with Customizable Hardware Platform

Sphero BOLT: App-Enabled Robot Ball with Programmable Sensors + LED Matrix, Infrared & Compass

6. LEGO Make Your Own Movie Kit

LEGO Stem Toy

With digital media and content creation on the rise, having a strong knowledge of how to make your own movie is a great tool for any child! The stop motion animation projects are easy to learn for beginners and grows with them as they advance in their abilities.

7. Ozobot Bit Coding Robot

Ozobot STEM Toy

This nifty little Ozobot Bit Coding Robot offers two different ways to code: screen-free with special color code markers and stickers or with visual programming on a computer or tablet. With the optical sensors, LED light, and strong Polycarbonate shell, this robot definitely is made with quality. And with the ability to personalize their own pocket-sized bot with stickers and cut-outs, its hard not to love!

8. Magna-Tiles 

Magna Tiles STEM toys

Magna-Tiles are sure to keep kids of all ages busy building and creating! These geometric shaped tiles infuse math, science and creativity all in one. The varieties of Magna-Tiles out there are endless – so be sure to check out the other sets as well. Here are some more options that will keep kiddos busy creating over and over again!

Magna-Tiles House Set

Magna-Tiles Car Expansion Set

9. Electronic Snap Circuits Kit

Electronic Snap Circuits Toy

The Electronic Snap Circuits Kit is perfect for the young engineer! With over 300 projects, this kit will allow your child to safely explore different configurations using snap wires, a microphone, a slide switch, a resistor, capacitors, and so much more!

10. Specialty Kits

Mega Fossil Dig Kit

Geodes Kit

Geodes STEM Kit

Mega Gemstone Dig Kit

Ultimate Rock and Mineral Kit

Rock and Mineral Activity Kit

Crystal Growing Kit

Crystal Growing Kit

These science-based specialty kits come in a variety of options! Is your child fascinated with crystals, rocks or gemstones? These kits are perfect to fuel their passion! And while there are WAY too many to list, some other favorites are the Volcano Science Kit, and the Water Rocket Kit.

11. *BONUS* My First Mind Blowing Science Kit

My First Mind Blowing Science Kit

Hitting all of the STEM components, this mind blowing science kit will allow your child to explore many different areas of science! This 20 piece set includes enough to do 11 different activities that are designed to spark curiosity in children!

Let’s Sum It Up!

Basically there are a million toys out there that fall in the STEM toys category. And while this is by no way an exhaustive list…this is a pretty good start to get your kids interested in the world of STEM and all that it has to offer!

So what about you? Do you have any favorite STEM toys that your kids just LOVE? We want to hear about it! Share below!

Let’s all raise kids that are ready to conquer the next era of technology and advancements! And if you enjoyed this article, please share below!

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Best STEM Toys for Kids of 2021

Spruce Flats Falls Hike in the Smoky Mountains

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Looking for a beautiful waterfall hike in the Great Smoky Mountains? While there are SO many to choose from, Spruce Flats Falls is one of our family’s favorite hikes!

With an easily accessible trailhead from the Townsend side of the Great Smoky Mountains, this short 2 mile roundtrip trail is an easy-moderate hike that is well worth the sights. Keep reading for more tips on where to find this waterfall and things you need to know before you head that way!

Spruce Flats Falls Low Waterflow
Spruce Flats Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains

*This post may contain affiliate links which help support this site, but won’t cost you anything extra. Read our full disclaimer.

Hiking in the Smoky Mountains

As with any National Park, before you head out to explore, it never hurts to have on-hand some reliable and trustworthy resources for easy reference.

Here are a few of our favorite pocket guides about hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains:

Hiking Trails of the Smokies

Day Hikes of the Smokies

Waterfalls of the Smokies

For more history and information about the Smokies, be sure to check out more Great Smoky Mountains Books and Guides here!

Spruce Flats Falls Trail Information

  • Roundtrip Length: 2 miles
  • Trail Location: Tremont (near Townsend, TN)
  • Directions: Lumber Ridge Trail Trailhead
  • Trail Features: Waterfall
  • Round Trip Hours: 1 – 2 hours

The Spruce Flats Falls hike actually isn’t officially on the map which is why it is often a lesser known waterfall hike!

Although you may find varying information, the hike is approximately 2 miles roundtrip according to most sources. Either way, it’s relatively short and most are able to do it with no problem!

It’s located near the Great Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont which is also one of the main areas that was logged before the Great Smoky Mountains became a National Park in 1934.

(Side Note: Tremont and Elkmont both were two of the main hubs for logging. For extra reading be sure to check out these excellent resources for more background and history of the Great Smoky Mountains: Lost Elkmont, Last Train to Elkmont and The Great Smoky Mountains.)

The waterfall itself is about 30 feet in height and flows down the mountain into the Middle Prong. It is really a beautiful area to explore anytime of year!

Click here to get your free checklist of
family friendly hikes in the smokies!

How Do I Get to Spruce Flats Falls?

The easiest way to find the trailhead for Spruce Flats Falls is to put in your GPS, “Lumber Ridge Trail Trailhead” and park at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont.

Parking at Tremont for Spruce Flats Falls

Hiking to Spruce Flats Falls

Locating the Lumber Ridge Trailhead

From the parking lot of the Great Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont, you will hop out of your car and take a left out of the parking lot and head up the hill. (Normally there is a sign there blocking the road for thru traffic).

Spruce Flats Falls Entrance to Hike

There you will spot a sign pointing you up the hill to the falls.

Spruce Flats Falls Sign for Lumber Ridge Trail

Once at the top, you will take a left at the building. It is marked with a sign that is pointing to the left to find the Lumber Ridge Trailhead.

Lumber Ridge Trailhead Sign for Spruce Flats Falls

As you continue on, you will find several more signs pointing you in the right direction. Once you make it to this point, it’s pretty easy to identify the trail.

Lumber Ridge Trailhead Sign to get to Spruce Flats Falls

On the Trail

On the first incline of the trail, you will come up to an opening where you will get a perfect view of Thunderhead Mountain. Be sure to take a minute to enjoy those sights! 

View of Thunderhead Mountain on Spruce Flats Falls Hike

As you get further along on the hike, there are some parts that have lots of tree roots exposed on the trail. Just remind the kiddos to watch their step!

Roots on the Spruce Flats Falls Trail

Once you get close to the base of the waterfall, the trail will start to descend pretty quickly. That’s when you will know that you are really close!

Descending Down to Spruce Flats Falls
Click here to get your free checklist of
family friendly hikes in the smokies!

At Spruce Flats Falls

Ahhh, finally…that sound of rushing water and the first sight of the waterfall! That’s always our favorite part of the hike! 

Base of Spruce Flats Falls

Take some time to walk around and explore while you are there! If you are daring enough, you can hop some rocks across the river to the other side where you can mosey up to the right side of the falls for a little closer look.

Hike up close to Spruce Flats Falls

(Of course always remember to be careful as rocks with water on them are often very slick.)

Depending on the recent rainfall, the falls may be really full or more of a trickle.

Spruce Flats Falls when Full
Spruce Flats Falls

Either way, it is still beautiful and definitely worth the hike!

Before you head back, be sure to take a quick group photo to document your trip to Spruce Flats Falls!

Family Picture at Spruce Flats Falls

Our Experience Hiking to Spruce Flats Falls

Our first time hiking this trail was in the Spring and we saw plenty of rhododendrons and azaleas blooming!

Flowers in Bloom on Spruce Flats Falls Hike

And in the fall of course you will see beautiful colors in the leaves!

We really enjoy hiking it anytime of year though! 

And of course you always have a chance of seeing deer, bear and other various wildlife. You just never know what you may come across in the Great Smoky Mountains! 

In the Spring, we saw a TON of bright colored millipedes along the trail.

Millipede on Spruce Flats Falls Hike

Aren’t the colors beautiful? We were absolutely fascinated by them. Their movements were so smooth and neat to watch.

Insect on Spruce Flats Falls Hike

Biodiversity in the Great Smoky Mountains

Side note...Did you know that the Great Smoky Mountains is the most biodiverse park in the National Park system? According to nps website, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to over 19,000 species with an estimated 80,000-100,000 species that have yet to be discovered!

You can read more about the biodiversity of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park at the nps.gov website. Or be sure to stop in the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont while you’re there to learn more about the latest programs and research going on in the park!

A Few Things To Consider

  • Although it is a shorter hike, it can be rather rocky and rooty on the trail at times.  Be sure to plan accordingly with proper shoes. Be mindful with little ones and watch your step carefully!
  • Access to a restroom is at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont building and is typically open even when the store itself isn’t. If you get there during their open hours, you can hop inside and browse the gift shop and support the park with your purchases while you’re there!
Click here to get your free checklist of
family friendly hikes in the smokies!

Final Thoughts

Spruce Flats Falls is a beautiful waterfall with a relatively short hike in the Great Smoky Mountains. It is easy to access at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont and is one of the easier hikes to see a waterfall up close in the Great Smoky Mountains! 

What about you? Have you been to Spruce Flats Falls before? What are your favorite waterfall hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains? Be sure to share your comments below!

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Dollywood Christmas – A Smoky Mountain Christmas

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Planning a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains area during the Christmas season? Be sure to check out one of our family favorites…A Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood!

This is by far one of our favorite things to do during the holiday season! Read on to learn more about some tips and suggestions to make it a very memorable Dollywood Christmas for your family!

Dollywood Christmas Tree

*This post may contain affiliate links which help support this site, but won’t cost you anything extra. Read our full disclaimer.

Get a Little Dolly Parton Christmas Inspiration!

Growing up in East Tennessee, it’s hard not to be a Dolly Parton fan! From her music, to movies, to the Imagination Library and so much more, she is such an inspiration to many!

In case you need a little extra Dolly Parton Christmas inspiration before heading to Dollywood, be sure to watch her Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love that is sure to get you in the holiday spirit!

Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love

Do Some Research and Have a Game Plan!

There is so much to do at Dollywood during the Christmas season that it’s nearly impossible to squeeze it all in on one day, so you definitely need to go with a game plan!

First things first, be sure to check the Dollywood Calendar for the days and times that they are open. The Christmas season typically runs from mid-November through the first of January.

The weekends are usually busier, so if you can hit it on a weekday you will typically experience lower crowds.

Checkout the daily schedule for the show times and parade times beforehand, so you can plan accordingly!

Here is our list of priorities when we go:

  • Hit a couple of our favorite rides
  • Watch at least one holiday show
  • Try some of the other special Dollywood Christmas events and activities that are unique (or new)
  • Stay until dark to see the lights
  • Watch the Parade!

Check Out Dollywood Christmas in Wildwood Grove!

In 2019, Dollywood introduced their newest expansion Wildwood Grove! And they sure did a great job at making it a special place during the holidays as well!

Dollywood Christmas Wildwood Grove

From the magical lights on the entrance tunnel, to the illuminated candles as you walk in, you feel like you are entering a pretty magical place!

Dollywood Christmas in Wildwood Grove
Entering Dollywood Christmas at Wildwood Grove

Over near Black Bear Trail ride, you will also find a fun photo opportunity!

Dollywood Christmas Picture Opps

And last but not least, be sure to hang around Wildwood Grove long enough to see the special Christmas themed Wildwood Grove tree come to life!

Dollywood Christmas Wildwood Grove Tree

Check out the Unique Dollywood Christmas Decor!

Some of the Christmas decorations scattered throughout Dollywood totally bring back some nostalgic feelings from our childhood.

Vintage Christmas Decor

Over in Jukebox Junction, there is a vintage Snowman and Santa out next to Red’s Diner. I’m pretty sure my Mamaw put these exact ones out on her front porch every year.

Dollywood Christmas Vintage Christmas

And then on the other side there are some elves busy helping Santa out with some packages!

Dollywood Christmas Vintage Santa

Giant Frosty the Snowman

After we left Jukebox Junction we headed towards Rivertown Junction, and to our surprise, we saw hanging out in the (currently closed) River Rampage…none other than the GIANT Frosty the Snowman himself!

Dollywood Christmas Frosty

There are definitely plenty of unique Christmas decorations scattered throughout the park, so be sure to take time to enjoy all of the little details along the way!

Enjoy Dollywood Christmas Activities for Kids of ALL Ages!

Holly Jolly Junction

One of the best family activities you can do at Dollywood for Christmas is visit Holly Jolly Junction over near Craftsman’s Valley.

Dollywood Christmas Holly Jolly

Characters from “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”

Holly Jolly Junction is home to some of the characters from the classic “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” movie and you can even have your pictures taken with them!

The characters switch out from time to time so be sure to stop by at different times if you want to see a certain character. You just never know who is going to be there!

Here is a list of the characters that you may get to meet!

  • Rudolph
  • Clarice
  • Bumble, The Abominable Snow Monster (did you know that was his name?!?)
  • Yukon Cornelius
Dollywood Christmas Yukon

Cookie Decorating

In 2019 there was a fun new addition for cookie decorating at a station called “Clarice’s Cookies!” The price is $3.00 for 1 cookie or $5.00 for 2.

Just look how fun it looks! Choose your cookie, choose your icing and choose your toppings!

Dollywood Christmas Cookie Decorating

More Fun and Games!

They also have some Christmas kiddy games* setup to let your kiddos play. It’s also a great place to warm up when it gets pretty chilly out! (*Note- they do cost extra!)

Santa Land in the Country Fair

If you are looking for more kid-friendly fun, head on over to the Country Fair where you will find “Santa Land” in Celebration Hall!

Dollywood Christmas Lights

Here you can check out some of the fun decorations, get a picture of your family riding in a sleigh and even visit with the big guy himself, Ol’ Saint Nick!

Dollywood Christmas Santa
Dollywood Christmas Sleigh Ride

Make Time for an Award Winning Dollywood Christmas Show!

Christmas in the Smokies Show

We always make an effort to see one of our favorite shows at Dollywood, “Christmas in the Smokies!”

Dollywood Christmas in the Smokies

Matt and I also like to secretly go home and practice some of the dance moves. One day you might see us in a Dollywood production. (Life goals.)

O’ Holy Night Show

Another excellent show is the O’ Holy Night Show at the Valley Theater. This performance is a great reminder of what Christmas is truly about.

Dollywood Christmas O Holy Night

Other Shows

Be sure to check the show schedule for all of the other shows as well! There are plenty to tickle anyone’s fancy!

Dollywood Christmas Shows

Here are a few more Christmas shows if you have time!

  • ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
  • It’s a Wonderful Life
  • Appalachian Christmas

Enjoy ALL of the Dollywood Christmas Lights!

If you came to Dollywood to see Christmas lights, you definitely will not be disappointed! With millions of lights all throughout the park, there will be plenty to see for sure! Once the sun starts setting, the park really starts lighting up!

Dollywood Christmas Lights around the park

Christmas Lights in Glacier Ridge

Walking through Glacier Ridge is one of our favorite things! We usually start at the entrance in Craftsman’s Valley and work our way around to the entrance of the park.

Dollywood Christmas Glacier Ridge

As you make your way past the Blazing Fury roller coaster, there is a magical wonderland of lights falling from the sky all set to whimsical music.

Dollywood Christmas Falling Lights

It will definitely make you feel like you are in a wintery wonderland!

“Wonderful Christmas” Light Show in Wilderness Pass

After you loop on around, past the Wild Eagle and the Fire Chaser, there is a giant Christmas tree at “The Plaza at Wilderness Pass” that comes to life with music and lights!

Dollywood Christmas Tree Show

Be sure to check the Dollywood App or pick up a show schedule for the Christmas tree show times!

It is a short show, but tells a really sweet story displayed on the 50 foot Christmas tree with images that the lights bring to life! You will definitely want to make an effort to see it!

Christmas Lights in Timber Canyon

After you go through Wilderness Pass, you will begin entering the Timber Canyon area where you will find some pretty lights on the bridges of Mystery Mine.

Mystery Mine Bridge

Once you pass the last few roller coasters, you start making your way back to the entrance of the park.

(Of course you will want to make a little detour to Wildwood Grove at this point if you haven’t already!)

There is a really beautiful entrance to Glacier Ridge here as well as a long tunnel of lights as you are exiting Timber Canyon called “Arctic Passage.” It’s pretty magical!

Arctic Passage

See the Dollywood Christmas Parade!

To top off your Dollywood Christmas, you should definitely plan to check out the “Parade of Many Colors!”

Dollywood Christmas Parade

From all of the fun floats and Christmas-y music, to the giant elves and walking candy canes, it is sure to get you in the holiday spirit!

Christmas Parade at Dollywood

Not to mention, Santa himself usually makes an appearance riding the train!

Train in the Parade

However, our favorite thing is probably the mice driving the cheese cars! I mean, where else in the world can you see a mouse driving a cheese car?!?

Christmas Parade Mouse

The parade is typically at 8:15pm but you will definitely want to get there a little early to find a good spot!

*Tip – The last time we watched the parade was near the Front Porch Cafe on Showstreet and it turned out to be a great place!

A Few Things To Consider

Here are a few tips to make your Dollywood Christmas memorable:

  • Pick at least one of the shows to attend. It’s nice to have a scheduled break to get off your feet and rest a bit. If it’s really cold outside and you want to warm up, be sure to pick one of the shows in an indoor theater.
  • Dollywood opens later and also stays open later during the Christmas season. So plan ahead and pack extra warm layers because it can get rather chilly as the sun goes down in the Great Smoky Mountains!
  • Take time to prioritize what your group wants to accomplish. We let each person in our family pick one thing that they really want to do and we try our best to make that happen so each person gets to do something they really want to do! (And the kids are not allowed to complain when I pick a show!)
  • The closer to Christmas, the more crowded it will be especially on the weekends and as families are out of school and traveling more. Try a weekday if at all possible in hopes to avoid larger crowds!

Final Thoughts

There is just so much to do at Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas that it’s hard to get it all in especially if you have kiddos that love the rides! Be sure to plan accordingly and make the most of it all and savor the moments you have with your family as you celebrate the Christmas season!

So what about you and your family? Have you been to Dollywood Smoky Mountain Christmas? What are your favorite things to do at Dollywood during the Christmas season? Share your favorites below! We would love to hear from you!

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