5 Kid-Friendly Hikes in the Smoky Mountains

Get the kids outdoors on trails built for young legs. Whether you've got a toddler in a stroller or an older kid ready for a little adventure, these five hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park make it easy to find the right fit.

1. Laurel Falls Trail

This popular trail for all ages leads to an 80-foot waterfall, a satisfying reward for the 2.4-mile round trip. The trail is paved with a gradual incline — enough to get young legs working without wearing them out. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way, including the occasional black bear sighting. The trailhead parking lot fills up fast, so an early start helps you beat both the crowds and the midday heat.

2. Cataract Falls Trail

Cataract Falls Trail starts at Sugarlands Visitor Center, so you can duck into the exhibits — and the restrooms — before or after. The three-quarter-mile round trip crosses Fighting Creek on sturdy bridges, and kids will enjoy watching for salamanders and woodpeckers along the way. Most strollers can handle the gravel surface.

3. Gatlinburg Trail

More of a riverside stroll than a hike, the Gatlinburg Trail connects Sugarlands Visitor Center to downtown Gatlinburg — and it's one of only two trails in the park where dogs are allowed, so bring the family pet if you'd like. The mostly level surface works well for strollers, and there are spots along the way to get close to the water. At 3.8 miles round trip, it's the longest hike on this list, so plan accordingly for shorter legs.

4. Metcalf Bottoms Trail

At just 1.5 miles round trip, this trail features rustic split-log bridges and leads to the 1882 Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse — a one-room log cabin where kids can imagine what school looked like generations ago. A small cemetery next to the schoolhouse adds another layer of history. This trail isn't recommended for strollers, since the path is a well-packed dirt surface with some unevenness.

5. Little Brier Gap Trail

Pick this trail up right at the schoolhouse if the kids on Metcalf Bottoms still have energy to spare, or drive straight to its own trailhead. At 2.6 miles round trip, Little Brier Gap Trail passes spring wildflowers and leads to the preserved Walker family homestead — a cabin, springhouse, and corn crib where five sisters lived a self-sufficient life for decades as the national park formed around them. It's one of the best-preserved homesites in the Smokies and a genuinely memorable stop for curious kids.

Frequently asked questions

What's the easiest hike for toddlers in the Smokies?

Cataract Falls Trail is a great pick for the youngest hikers — a short three-quarter-mile round trip with a gravel surface most strollers can handle. Laurel Falls Trail is longer but fully paved, making it manageable for confident young walkers.

Which trail allows dogs?

The Gatlinburg Trail is one of only two trails in the national park where dogs are permitted, making it a good pick for families hiking with a pet.

Are any of these trails good for history-minded kids?

Yes — Metcalf Bottoms Trail leads to the historic Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse, and Little Brier Gap Trail continues on to the preserved Walker family homestead, both genuinely engaging stops for kids curious about pioneer life.