10 Beautiful Views in the Smoky Mountains You Don’t Want to Miss
The Smoky Mountains are a beautiful place to take pictures; however, a lot of people do not know where to go to see those amazing views that the Smokies have to offer. Here is a list of 10 beautiful views you don’t want to miss on your next trip to the Smoky Mountains.
1. Tail of the Dragon
Tail of the Dragon is a piece of highway that snakes its way through the Great Smoky Mountains. It’s a challenging adventure for cyclists of all skill levels, and it provides magnificent views of the mountains.
2. Laurel Falls Trail
Laurel Falls is named after the mountain laurel that blooms along the trail during the early summer months. Laurel Falls is made up of a lower and upper section, which is divided by a paved walkway that passes over the stream near the base of the upper falls. Please note: The trail to Laurel Falls is currently closed until mid-2026 for rehabilitation.
3. Cades Cove Loop Road
Cades Cove is a wide valley nestled between the Smoky Mountains. It’s one of the most popular destinations in the mountains, and it offers visitors the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have an unobstructed view of the wildlife. Most commonly seen in this area are large herds of white-tailed deer, black bears, coyotes, and other animals.
4. Ramsey Cascades Trail
The Ramsey Cascades Trail begins at the remnants of an old gravel road and then snakes its way up the mountain over its four-mile course. Along the path is the largest old-growth forest in the Smoky Mountains National Park, which has remained unscathed thanks to activism that has prevented the harvesting of old-growth forests. Located along the trail is the Ramsey Cascades, which is the tallest and most spectacular waterfall in the park.
5. Grotto Falls
Meandering through the Smoky Mountains is the Trilium Gap Trail. The Trilium Gap Trail leads hikers through majestic old-growth forests before reaching the Grotto Falls. During the summer months, the path is lined with a thick carpet of wildflowers. Grotto Falls is the only waterfall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park that permits people to walk behind it. The twenty-five-foot-tall waterfall offers visitors a rare, cool retreat during the hot summer months.
6. Kuwohi
Located high above the treeline, Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome) is the tallest vantage point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The observation tower offers breathtaking views of the mountains and beyond. On clear days, visitors have reported being able to see over a hundred miles from the observation tower.
7. Alum Cave Trail
Alum Cave is not a true cave. Instead, it’s a rock shelter that is firmly nestled in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Alum Cave Trail winds up Mount Le Conte, and it passes by many historical landmarks before merging with the Rainbow Falls Trail.
8. Pigeon River
Bordering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pigeon River whitewater rafting offers some of the best rafting in Gatlinburg. Pigeon River provides rafters the challenge of navigating through high-powered Class III and IV rapids combined with a breathtaking view of the Smoky Mountains. Whitewater rafting on the Pigeon River is perfect for family adventures, and it can be rafted in approximately three hours.
9. Inspiration Point, Alum Cave Trail
As its name may imply, Inspiration Point offers one of the most spectacular views in the Smoky Mountains. Located almost six thousand feet above sea level, Inspiration Point allows visitors the opportunity to see over the bluffs at the nearby mountain tops. There are few trees at this elevation to obstruct the view, and the air is thinner. On clear days, hikers can get a clear glimpse of the waterfalls below and of the surrounding mountains.
10. Roaring Fork Motor Natural Trail
Roaring Fork is the name of one of the largest and fastest-flowing mountain streams within the park. After a hard rain, this stream transforms into a roaring waterfall that deposits thousands of gallons of water into the falls below it. The winding, narrow Roaring Fork Nature Trail is a popular scenic drive for many who visit the Smoky Mountains. The six-mile-long trail loops around the forest and several historical buildings in the area, including an authentic mountain farmstead and a hardwood forest.
Learn more about hiking trails with the best views in the Smoky Mountains!
