Quiet Walkways
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN
The Quiet Walkways in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park get their name for being unusually quiet and less crowded. The 14 hidden-gem trails, marked throughout the park with small brown signs with white lettering, are great for families because of their ease. Most trails lead to a creek or stream with plenty of room to appreciate nature.
The basics
The best way to visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s Quiet Walkways in Tennessee is by vehicle, so you can drive to each and explore them on foot. Each path is relatively short (about 1 mile or 1.6 kilometers), so they’re easy to explore. If you’re looking to explore with a guide, prebook a private Great Smoky Mountains National Park tour that allows you to tailor the day to your wants and interests.
Things to know before you go
- About 14 trails for the Quiet Walkways are scattered throughout Great Smoky Mountains National Park—once you see a sign, the trail is about a quarter mile (0.4 kilometers) after.
- At each beginning trailhead, there is usually about enough parking for five vehicles, as only a little foot traffic goes to these trails.
- If you’re looking for another easy trail beside the Quiet Walkways, try the Gatlinburg Trail.
- Hiking early in the day helps you avoid crowds, although these trials are usually quiet.
How to get there
These Quiet Walkways inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park are easy to find. Follow the main roads inside the park and look for little brown signs along the road that say, “Quiet Walkway” in white lettering with an arrow. Some of the most popular Quiet Walkway trails are Hickory Flats, Laurel Falls, Riverview, and Balsam Point.
When to get there
The best time to visit the Quiet Walkways in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is from March through August when the weather is nicer. Although the park can be crowded in summer, the Quiet Walkways are still usually quiet, just like their name states.
What to see in Pigeon Forge
While in Tennessee, don’t miss out on Pigeon Forge, especially if you’re traveling in a family or group. The city has many fun experiences to take advantage of, including the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster, Dollywood theme park, the Titanic Museum attraction, and the Island in Pigeon Forge, an entertainment and shopping destination.
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