10 Tips for Kid-Friendly Day-Hikes in the Smokies
Breathing the fresh air, taking a dip in a waterfall pool, spotting wildlife, and just enjoying the great outdoors—these are all reasons families love visiting the Smoky Mountains. What happens when you’re traveling with little ones though? Can they hike a mountain trail? Do you need special equipment or gear? Is there a magic age they should reach before you even try?
If you’re planning a trip to the mountains and want to share your love of the outdoors with your little ones, we’ve done all the homework so you can have an incredible time. Get tips on kid-friendly day-hikes in the Smokies, the best easy trails for beginners and more with this handy guide.
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In This Article:
- Tips for Kid-friendly Day Hikes
- Best Easy Hiking Trails in the Smokies
- Backpack Essentials for Kid-Friendly Hikes in the Smokies
- Vacation Homes Near Easy Smoky Mountain Trails
- FAQs
Tips for Kid-Friendly Day Hikes in the Smokies
Before you leave your vacation rental for a day away from things like toilets, kitchens and running water, you need to make sure you’re prepared. Beyond the basics, here are 10 tips for making sure you’re ready to hit the trails with your kids.
1. Understand Your Child’s Capabilities
Dr. Stephanie Canale, a family medicine physician in Santa Monica, CA., frequently hikes with her 8-year-old son. In an interview with Backpacker, she recently said, “I think the average, school-age child could easily go five miles, as long as you’re going at their pace.” She went on to say, “The key is to stay well-hydrated, have snacks, take breaks.”
If you’re wondering about typical age ranges and general capabilities, let’s take a look at what the experts recommend:
- Ages 0-3: Parents should carry children or opt for paved paths where strollers are allowed. Keep distances between a quarter mile and two miles, and pack weight to around 5% of their bodyweight for toddlers.
- Ages 4-7: Kids are capable of walking on their own, but you should let them dictate the pace and length. On average, try to keep it between two and four miles. Backpacks can be around 5-10% of body weight. *Remember to factor in the weight of the pack itself.
- Ages 8 and up: Children in this age range can typically manage between six and ten miles. The older the child, the more they can carry, but a rule of thumb is around 15% of body weight.
2. Dress for Success
Make sure kids have properly fitting hiking shoes, good socks, light jackets for changing weather, layers, and sunscreen and bug spray for summer months.
3. Hit the Trails Early
Kids have the most energy after a full night’s sleep. Aim to arrive at the trail early so you have the best chance at avoiding pre-nap crankiness. Going out early also gives you plenty of time to take your time without worrying about chasing the setting sun.
4. Lose the Agenda
Doing anything with kids means plans could change on a moment’s notice. When hiking in the Smoky Mountains with kids, keep an open mind. You may really want to make it all the way to the waterfall or lookout, but your tyke may have other plans. When considering your day hike, it’s best to be in it for the experience instead of a specific goal.
5. Make It Fun!
The best way to keep the hike going is to make it fun for your little one. Play I Spy, give them riddles to solve, create a scavenger hunt that encourages them to spot things like leaves, rocks, unique bugs, or mushrooms—there are tons of things to see, so you’re only limited by your imagination. You could even pack a sketch pad and charcoal and make prints of things you find along the way.
6. Learn Something
Similar to the above, kids are constantly growing, absorbing and learning from their environments. Take a nature guidebook with you and identify different species of animals, plants or fungi. For older kids, you can grab trail maps and a compass and teach them how to read the terrain and navigate without technology.
7. Teach Leave No Trace
The earlier kids learn to appreciate nature and view it as something to cherish and care for, the better our planet is for furture generations. When you stop for snack breaks, take the time to instill in them the tenets of Leave No Trace. You can even take a moment after your snack to see if there is any litter you can clean up.
8. Pack the Essentials
Things like a change of clothes, extra diapers, snacks and plenty of water are vital for a successful kid-friendly day hike in the Smokies.
9. Support Independence
This one is big if you’re hiking with multiple children. Empower them by letting them each take turns leading the family. This is also a great way to get a better understanding of your child’s natural pace and tendency to stop, helping you gauge how long or difficult future hikes should be.
10. Choose the Right Trail
To our point above, knowing your child’s likelihood of stopping, their attention span, their skills at navigating uneven terrain and their general trail behaviors is important when choosing a trail for your family hike. You want to make sure you pick a path that’s appropriate for their age range in length, difficulty and elevation gain. Lucky for you, we’ve got our favorite kid-friendly trails coming right up!
Best Easy Hiking Trails in the Smokies
These five family-friendly trails in the Smoky Mountains are each relatively short, feature little incline and still offer rewarding opportunities to see the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Abrams Falls – Hiking in the Smokies is exceptionally rewarding when there’s a waterfall at the end of the trail. Easily accessed via Cades Cove, Abrams Falls is a wonderful hike to add on to a day exploring one of the most popular places in the park.
- Length: 5.2 miles round-trip
- Good for Ages: 8+
- Elevation Gain: 675 Feet
- Location: Cades Cove
- Paved: No
Laurel Falls Trail – Featuring an 80-foot cascade, this is one of the most popular waterfall hikes in the Smoky Mountains. Spring wildflower blooms are incredible, though the trail tends to be busy during peak seasons. Make sure to arrive early for the best chance at parking, and keep a close eye on your kids as they explore the trail. Several areas have steep drop-offs.
- Length: 2.3 miles
- Good for Ages: 5+
- Elevation Gain: 314 feet
- Location: Little River Road
- Paved: Yes
Sugarlands Nature Trail – Close to Cataract Falls, Sugarlands Nature Trail winds through dense forests and along the Little Pigeon River, offering views of historic home remains, rock walls and stunning scenery.
- Length: half a mile
- Good for Ages: 0 and up
- Elevation Gain: 19 feet
- Location: Just past the Sugarlands Visitor Center
- Paved: Yes
Oconaluftee River Trail – For educational hikes, nothing beats this quick trail. Learn about Cherokee villages, take a peek at native gardens, spot farm animals and take a moment to splash in the cold water along the way. You’ll also find more than 40 unique varieties of wildflowers—see how many you can find!
- Length: 3 miles
- Good for Ages: 4+
- Elevation Gain: 70 feet
- Location: Oconaluftee Visitor Center
- Paved: No
The Gatlinburg Trail – This is a popular spot among locals looking to jumpstart their day with some light exercise as a versatile trail to walk, bike or jog along. It’s even pet-friendly! The trail winds through the woods over the Little Pigeon River and even features one of the longest footbridges in the park.
- Length: 3.9 miles round-trip
- Good for Ages: 4+
- Elevation Gain: 235 feet
- Location: Gatlinburg/Sugarlands Visitor Center
- Paved: No
Backpack Essentials for Kid-Friendly Hikes in the Smokies
As we’ve mentioned, you’ll want to make sure you bring some essentials when hiking with kids. This checklist highlights the most important items to take with you:
- Bug spray
- First aid kit
- Sunscreen
- Hats
- Snacks: fruit snacks, crackers, jerky, trail mix – things with protein and carbs to replace lost energy
- Water
- Layers or even an entire change of clothes (things can get muddy sometimes)
- Diapers/wipes/changing blanket for infants and toddlers
- Trash bags for your waste
- Bear spray
- Wet wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Compass and trail maps
- Headlamps – just in case you’re out later than you planned
Vacation Homes Near Easy Smoky Mountain Trails
Featured Property: Lovers Loft #62
After a day on the trails, come home to a cozy mountain vacation rental and relax in your hot tub while the kids watch a movie or play in the game room. At Venture Smoky Mountains, we offer a variety of vacation homes near some of the most popular kid-friendly day-hikes in the Smokies. Choose from Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville or Wears Valley and find the home that’s right for your family, then book directly with us for the best rate on your stay.
When you shop local, you’re supporting the community in ways Airbnb or VRBO never will. As a token of our gratitude, we guarantee the best service and quality, and we can’t wait to welcome you on your next Smoky Mountain getaway.
See All Smoky Mountain Vacation Homes
Frequently Asked Questions About Kid-Friendly Day Hikes
How far can most kids hike?
How far kids can hike depends on their age. Kids ages 0-3 are best suited to short trails of half a mile to two miles. Four to seven-year-olds can feasibly do two to four miles. Kids eight and older are capable of anything from five miles to as far as they’re willing to go. The important thing is to follow their lead.
Can kids hike on dirt trails?
Kids can certainly hike on dirt trails, though proper footwear is vital. Make sure your kids have appropriate hiking shoes with good tread for slippery areas or root-ridden trails. Thick socks are also important.
What should my kids wear on a summer hike in the woods?
Summer in the woods can get muggy. Kids should wear synthetic fibers to wick away moisture, pack layers like a light rain jacket just in case a quick shower pops up, and make sure they have a hat for sun protection.
How steep is the Abrams Falls trail?
Abrams Falls has an elevation gain of a little more than 600 feet, roughly 200+ feet per hour in gain. This technically classifies it as a moderate hike, but it’s very doable for kids eight years and up.
Can kids hike Laurel Falls?
Laurel Falls is very popular among parents with children. Clocking in at just over two miles and a little more than 300 feet in elevation gain, it’s great for kids five and older.
Where can my kids see waterfalls in the Smokies?
Hiking in the Smokies, waterfalls are everywhere. Popular waterfall trails include Abrams Falls, Laurel Falls, Cataract Falls Trail, Grotto Falls and Deep Creek Falls.
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