The Best Smoky Mountain Kid Friendly Trails

The Smoky Mountains are full of incredible views even for those of us not interested in the 6 mile hike. Here is the list of the best Smoky Mountain kid friendly trails, so you can enjoy incredible views and still make it back in time for lunch.

2 Miles or Less

Cataract Falls

Distance: 1.1 miles

Time: 30 min

This trail begins at the Sugarlands Visitors Center making it the perfect hike to take after learning about the wildlife living in the mountains. This trail is short and easy leading you to a waterfall. If you have young kids this is one of the easiest trails to squeeze in to a busy schedule! Keep your eyes peeled for a smile in an unexpected place (spoiler alert: it's a tree stump)!

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Mount Buckley via Kuwohi Bypass Trail (Clingmans Dome)

Distance: 1.7 miles

Time: 1 hr 15 min

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If you're looking for views in The Smoky Mountains you can't miss Kuwohi observation tower (formerly known as Clingmans Dome). You will find breath taking views from the moment you step out of your car. You can choose to begin by heading up the paved Clingmans Dome Trail after you reach the observation tower you will head for the Appalachian Trail this will lead you to The Clingmans Dome Bypass Trail, if you continue on The Appalachian Trail a little past the bypass trail you will reach the viewpoint for Mount Buckley. Afterward you will head back toward the Bypass and take it back to your car. You can also choose to reverse it, starting on the Forney Ridge Trail which leads you on to the Clingmans Dome Bypass Trail and then follow the Appalachian Trail to the observation tower. Either way you go you won’t miss the best views in The Smoky Mountains. The trail is 1.7 miles and should take about an hour leaving a lasting impression with beautiful sights. Clingmans Dome road is closed in the winter and to large trucks and RVs. 

Make sure you dress warm as temperatures can be 20 degrees cooler than at the bottom of the mountain. This trail does have many roots, rocks and rugged spots, and can at times be a moderately challenging hike for children. Although this hike isn't ideal for young kids older children will most likely enjoy an adventures terrain made for getting a little dirty. It is recommended to prepare for the possibility of mud! Don't forget Clingmans Dome road is closed in the winter and to large trucks and RVs.

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Kuwohi Observation Tower Trail

Distance: 1.3 miles

Time: 45 min

The Clingmans Dome Bypass has been renamed changing it back to its original name Kuwohi, it is the highest point in the Smoky Mountains offering jaw-dropping views with the ability to see for up to 100 miles! This route is the quickest to the top taking an average of roughly 45 minutes to complete on a fully paved route. But just because it’s the quickest doesn’t mean it’s easy, the incline is steep gaining 332 feet in half a mile. The observation tower offers a 360-degree view and is one of the busiest places to be in the mountains. You can also access the observation tower through the Mount Buckley via Kuwohi Bypass Trail, remember Clingmans Dome road is closed in the winter.

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3 Miles or Less

Grotto Falls via Trillium Gap Trail

Distance: 2.6 miles

Time: 1 hr 20 min

Have you ever walked behind a waterfall? Probably not but if you take this trail you won't be able to say that anymore! This trail leads you behind Grotto Falls making for a picture perfect moment.

This trail is one of the most popular for good reason! It takes roughly 1-2 hours to complete and leads you behind a 25 foot high waterfall! Make sure to look for salamanders near the wet rocks! To get to this trail you will drive down Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail past Rainbow Falls Trail leading you on a winding, one-way road that closes in the winter. RVs, buses and large trucks are prohibited on the road. You will have to get to the trailhead early or your chances of finding parking will be slim.

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Laurel Falls Trail - re-opening estimated around July 2026

Distance: 2.4 miles

Time: 1 hr 30 min

Laurel Falls is one of the most popular trails in The Smoky Mountains lasting close to 2 hours and leading to an 80-foot tall waterfall! Parking is very limited and it might be best to plan a backup trail in case you aren't able to find parking or don't get out as early as you plan to. This trail is closed for 18 months while they resurface pavement, widen the trail, add a new viewing area and increase parking. All things that are neccessary with the amount of traffic this trail sees. They are even planning to set up a shuttle service! As it stands the pavement is very broken and uneven. There are drop-off's that children need to be careful around. Alot of the hike to the waterfall is up hill, but on the bright side the way back must be down hill! Rocks around the waterfall are very slippery and don't forget to check for salamanders around the base of the waterfall!

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4 Miles or Less

Andrews Bald

Distance: 3.6 miles

Time: 2 hrs

Andrews Bald is a great way to get in some incredible sightswithout the heavy foot-traffic of The Kuwohi Bypass (Clingmans Dome), although it's located in the same parking area. It’s important to note Clingmans Dome Road is closed in the winter from December to April and always to large trucks and RVs. Andrews Bald Trail takes 2-3 hours to complete with a good amount of stairs and tree roots. You will be surrounded by incredible views and crisp air, all truely a kind of magic. The traffic gets heavy by 11am in the busy season and getting to this point from Gatlinburg takes about an hour, but the view just from the parking lot is incredible on its own! Make sure to dress warm as you will notice it is much cooler at the top!

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Mouse Creek Falls via Big Creek Trail

Distance: 4.0 miles

Time: 3 hrs

This trail is on the edge of North Carolina and not actually located in The Great Smoky Mountain National Forest but if you want to swim in the mountains it is a bucketlist spot. From Gatlinburg it will take over an hour to reach the trail head for Big Creek Trail which will lead you to Midnight Hole, an emerald green naturual pool below a 6-foot waterfall that flows between two boulders. Because Midnight Hole is not marked very well the best practice would be to keep track of how far you have walked you won’t have service and may want to use a service like alltrails to download an off road map. Around 1.5 miles into the trail you should see a path leading to Midnight Hole Falls although you could choose to swim here, it is not Midnight Hole, which can be distinguished by the two boulders the water flows through. After passing Midnight Hole Falls and about 600 feet after the second wooden bridge you should come across a path to your left side leading down a wide, rocky moderately-steep path to the water, kids will probably need help. You should be able to see the swimming hole from the trail. The water is cold and is often shaded early in the day making this a perfect mid day hike!

After swimming you can chose to head back or continue on the trail another half a mile keeping an eye out for a short side trail leading to a view of Mouse Creek Falls a 45 foot tall waterfall. The hike will last anywhere from 2-3 hours not including time spent swimming. Parking at Big Creek Campground is limited, and as always the earlier you arrive the more likely you will be able to find a spot! When driving into the back of the campground look on your right for the sign. Getting out of your car you will have to walk back up the road a little and go left to get onto Big Creek Trail.

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4+ Miles But Totally Worth It

Peregrine Peak via Alum Cave Bluff Trail

Distance: 4.5 miles

Time: 2 hr 31 min

This trail is very popular and for a good reason, it has a little bit of everything including incredible views, wildflowers, a waterfall and an overhanging bluff! Even if you can't make it all the way to the bluff you will be able to take in the views! The majority of the trail follows along the river giving you some peaceful background noise.

Hiking poles will be helpful as this trail is moderately difficult with many stairs, rocks and a steep incline, children will probably notice when their muscels start burning! Make sure to keep them entertained with maps, photo hunts or scavenger hunts! With all of the landmarks on this trail it is perfect for kids map creation. Have your kids look for landmarks like bridges, stairs and waterfalls!

Make sure to check out the best hiking games created specifically for your family vacation to the smoky mountain national forest.